King Parakramabahu the Great has been accredited with beautifying the city of Polonnaruwa during his reign. From an imposing palace to a man-made marvel, the king’s feats certainly won the hearts of all those who were governed by him. To this day these fascinating structures continued to be well received by locals and tourists alike. The Gal Vihara which is a rock temple is one such example. Found near Sri Lanka honeymoon hotels such as Maalu Mallu Resort & Spa, the temple is definitely a must visit. Stay at this Sri Lanka resort and embark on a tour that will transport you to the days of the great king himself.
A major part of the shrine is the four statuettes of the Buddha depicting various postures. Hewn out of solid stone, these statues are said to be the finest examples of local craft and sculpture. Dating back to the 12th century, the vihara serves as one of the most iconic features of the city of Polonnaruwa. However numerous historians have expressed their views by stating that the statues are indeed that of the monk Ananda and not Lord Buddha. The reclining image of the Buddha is the largest of the vihara while the 22 ft tall standing image would offer great photography opportunities. Additionally the Vidyhadhara Guha possesses a smaller statue which is 4 ft in height. The deities of Vishnu and Brahma flank this depiction of the Buddha. Visitors will also find traces of a code of conduct inscribed on the rock face which was the work of the king done for the benefit of the priests of old.
Gal Vihara carvings of the ancient world
