Gal Vihara: The Silent Majesty of Granite

Gal Vihara (The Rock Monastery), originally known as Uttararama, is a rock temple of the Buddha in Polonnaruwa. It features four massive Buddha statues, all meticulously carved from a single long slab of granite.

Four Faces of Enlightenment

The carvings are world-renowned for their realistic and serene expressions:

The Sitting Buddha: Depicted in a state of deep meditation.

The Standing Buddha: A large 7-meter figure with a rare crossed-arm pose.

The Reclining Buddha: A 14-meter-long statue representing the Buddha's Parinirvana (passing away). It is considered one of the most beautiful reclining statues in Asia.

The Vidyadhara Cave Statue: A smaller sitting figure within a small excavated cave.

Artistic Peak

The way the ancient sculptors utilized the natural grain of the rock to highlight the features of the statues is truly remarkable.

Travel Guidance from BIA

Distance: 215 km from the airport.

Logistics: The drive to Polonnaruwa involves crossing through beautiful forests and tanks. A car rental with H.B.S is the most comfortable way to travel between the vast ruins of the Polonnaruwa archaeological park.