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Discover the fascinating 12th-century rock temple of the Buddha at Gal Vihara. The temple houses four beautiful statues of the Buddha, all carved from the same, single piece of granite. Admire the statues, which demonstrate some of the finest examples of Sinhalese rock carving. Wander around the temple and admire the standing Buddha, which measures 7m (23 ft) in height. However, unique features on this statue have led to heavy speculation that it could depict not the Buddha, but in fact one of his disciples, Ananda. Enjoy the peaceful surroundings as you appreciate the three other statues in the temple; the seated Buddha, the reclining Buddha, and Vidyhadhara Guha. Shoes are forbidden within the site, so bring some socks to walk across the sometimes hot ground. Arrange to visit Gal Vihara and other attractions in Polonnaruwa using our Polonnaruwa trip maker site.
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Gal Vihara reviews
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It's just one piece of granite, with 4 statues of Buddha carved into it.. Just amazing. There are so many statues of Buddha in Sri Lanka, nut all are beautiful to see..
It's just one piece of granite, with 4 statues of Buddha carved into it.. Just amazing. There are so many statues of Buddha in Sri Lanka, nut all are beautiful to see.. more »
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The Gal Vihara, and originally as the Uttararama, is a rock temple of the Buddha. It was fashioned in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I. The central feature of the temple is four rock relief...
The Gal Vihara, and originally as the Uttararama, is a rock temple of the Buddha. It was fashioned in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I. The central feature of the temple is four rock relief... more »
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For those who appreciate history, this is one of the most impressive sights they have ever explored. Even if they are not as well preserved, the ruins of the former city rival the sights of wonderful Rome or Athens. When visting the site don't hesitate to ask for an official guide (ask at the museum).
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The Gal Vihara (Rock temple/Rock monastery) a.k.a Uttararama is a 12th CE rock temple built by King Parakramabahu I. The temple is situated in Polonnaruwa and is a chief tourist draw in the region. The temple has three large statues of the Buddha carved into a single granite rock face. The site also has a smaller statute also carved next to the larger statue in an artificial cave termed Vidhyadhara Guhawa. Foreign tourists would need to secure tickets to see the site at the Polonnaruwa Museum (next to the Bund Rd). The tickets include access to other sites in Polonnaruwa. The area is frequented by toque macaques and Hanuman langurs.
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