History
The conquering Cholas constructed monuments to their religion - Brahmanism - and especially temples to Shiva, where a The reconquest of Ceylon by Vijayabahu I (c.1070) did not put an end to the city's role as capital, but it became covered with Buddhist sanctuaries, of which the Atadage (Temple of the Tooth Relic) is the most renowned.dmirable bronze statues were found (they are now in the museum at Colombo).
The apogee of Polonnaruwa occured in the 12th century AD. Two sovereigns, then proceeded to endow it with monuments. Parakramabahu I (1153-1186) created within a triple-walled enceinte a fabulous garden-city, where palaces and sanctuaries prologned the enchantment of the countryside.
After this golden age, Polonnaruwa underwent a century of difficulties, before its definitive decline. The city which was invaded by the Tamils and the Maghas, then reconquered in a precarious manner, was only periodically the capital before the end of the 13th century when it was captured in an assault by Bhuvanaikabuha II, who set up his government at Kurunegala.
The immense capital created by the megalomanic sovereign, Parakhambahu I, in the 12th century, is one of history's most astonishing urban creations, both because of its unusual dimensions and because of the very special relationship of its buildings with the natural setting.
Gal Vihara At Polonnaruwa This rock-shrine is some 56 yards in length. Its front face is cut neatly inward to about 15 ft. for the sculpturing of the image…. sedent, standing and recumbent. The liquid flow of the robes, the tight curls of the Buddha’s hair …. the serene compassion of his incredible. Tha Gal Vihara dates back to the 12th century AD and is attribute to King Parakramabahu
