Gal Vihara (Rock Temple)

The stone temple is the main monument that is unfailingly seen by all those who visit and worship the Polonnaru ruins and are highly respected and admired.

Uttararamaya, built by King Parakramabahu of Polonnaruwa in the 12th century, is today known as the Stone Temple. The Uttararama complex is a great design of several statues prepared by cutting a rock that is 56 yards long. Lt. Fagan, Samuel Baker, J. W. Birch, who saw these designs during the colonial period, first photographed these ruins. W. Stewart, etc, have written appreciative notes about the stone temple. In 1907, the then Archaeological Commissioner noted that no other temple comparable to this can be found in the Indian continent.

First, three caves were built here namely Vijjadhara Caves, Nissinna Patima Caves and Nipanna Patima Caves. Another cave with a standing statue was built during the Polonnaru period itself. Two types of caves are found here. Caves with brick walls on three sides and dug into the rock as a cave. About 17 feet for the caves dug and prepared for this creation and about 15 feet for the other statues were cut from the face of the stone.

The twelfth-century Gal Vihara rock temple contains four Buddha statues carved from a giant block of granite, showing the Buddha's process from enlightenment to nirvana. It is the pinnacle of Polonnaruwa stone carving art. The Buddha statue in meditation on the far left has a peaceful expression. In addition to the Buddha statues, there are other Hindu gods in the cave in the middle. The third 7-meter-high Buddha statue with crossed hands is considered to be the Buddha's disciple "Ananda" (Ananda), and the far right The 14-meter-long reclining Buddha shows the state of Buddha's Nirvana.

The Rock Temple, also known as Gal Vihara, is a significant and renowned Buddhist rock-cut temple complex located in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. It is considered one of the most iconic and remarkable archaeological sites in Sri Lanka. Here's what you should know about Gal Vihara:

1. Historical Significance: The Gal Vihara was constructed during the Polonnaruwa period, which ranged from the 11th to the 13th century, during the reign of King Parakramabahu I (1153-1186 AD). This period was known for its cultural and architectural achievements.

2. Rock-Cut Statues: The Gal Vihara complex is famous for its four colossal rock-cut statues of Lord Buddha. These statues are carved into a massive granite rock face and represent significant figures from Buddhist mythology.

A. Standing Buddha: The complex includes a 7-meter-tall standing Buddha statue in the abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness).
B. Seated Buddha: There is also a seated Buddha statue in deep meditation.
C. Reclining Buddha: The complex features a 14-meter-long reclining Buddha, symbolizing the Buddha's parinirvana (final passing).
D. Another Standing Buddha: A second standing Buddha statue, about 6 meters in height, is also present.

3. Architectural and Artistic Significance: The rock-cut statues are renowned for their exquisite craftsmanship and artistic detail. They are considered masterpieces of Sinhalese Buddhist art and exemplify the skill and devotion of the ancient Sri Lankan artisans.

4. Religious Significance: The Gal Vihara complex is a place of Buddhist worship and meditation. It remains an active religious site, with pilgrims and visitors paying their respects and making offerings.

5. Preservation: Efforts have been made to preserve and protect the Gal Vihara complex, including providing shelters and other measures to safeguard the statues from environmental factors.

6. Tourist Attraction: The Gal Vihara is a popular tourist attraction and a key stop for those visiting Polonnaruwa to explore the rich cultural and historical heritage of the city.

The Gal Vihara is not only a testimony to the artistic and architectural achievements of ancient Sri Lanka but also a sacred site for Buddhists and a remarkable destination for tourists and history enthusiasts interested in the history of Buddhism and the region.

You find the parking bit difficult here since this is basically the last parking lot for the whole tour. However, can park along the road if parking place is occupied.you need to walk a bit to reach the temple. There are four carved postures of lord buddha and the amount of details in the carvings is amazing.

In the past, the stone temple was known as Uttararamaya Vdiya.
Galvihara is the place that fascinated me the most among the Buddha statues in Sri Lanka. The reason for that is the natural nature of these Buddha statues and the beauty that has been raised on the very delicate stone.

The history of the stone temple dates back to the 12th century. The stone temple was built by King Maha Parakramabahu in the 12th century.

4 main statues have been created on a rock 80 feet long and 30 feet wide and divided into 3 parts.
01. Vijjadhara Lena
02. Nisinna Patima Lena
03. Nipanna Patima cave
Although it is mentioned that there were 3 caves from the said names, it is difficult to identify them at present.

The statues are 04
1 Big Samadhi Idol: -
The 15 feet high Samadhi idol has been created with a pantheon. Among the 4 statues, my heart went to this Samadhi statue the most. In Veerasana posture and Dhyana mudra and seated on a padmasana. The legs, arms and legs are very realistically sculpted.

Most of the scholars are of the opinion that this represents a moment when the Buddha, who was about to pass away, sat in meditation and looked at the world with kindness.

2 Small Samadhi Idol: -
This statue has been raised from the rock and covered with a cave from the rock itself. Also, it is seen that this idol was coated with gold in the past. The idol is nearly 5 feet tall. Behind this idol there is a pandal with beautiful carvings. Also two deities have planted the form of Chamara Salam. There are also beautiful paintings in the cave.

3 standing statue: -
This statue is nearly 23 feet tall and has been designed very attractively. The specialty of this statue is that it is made with a seal that is not found in any other statue. Also, a smiling face, which is a very rare sight, has been depicted. It is said that the reason for this is that the way in which one has come to the world is well fulfilled and the way of examining it coincides with the completion of meditation. The idol is planted on the lotus flower.

4 Reclining/Parinirvana Idol
This statue is about 47 feet long. The creator is able to depict the Nirvana of Lord Buddha perfectly with this statue. It can be recognized that parinirvana is represented by the lowered ear lobes, protruding belly, closed eyes, the way the mattress has sunk, and the head goes back with the death of the soul. Also, the fact that there are only traces of a lotus flower in Siripatula is a testimony to it. It speaks volumes about the skill and feel of the designer.

25 dollars / person, lots of ruins, some beautifully preserved Buddha statues at the end of the tour

Polonnaruwa Gal vihara contains most beautiful rock statues of Lord Buddha which reveals the talent of the old workers and the technology.we visit at night and the lightings created a different ambient, may be its totally different in day time. A place that is a must for a visit if you are visiting Polonnaruwa.have to walk around 500 m from parking lot

Extraordinary stone statues of load Buddha. It is well covered and a decent attempt to preserve for the future generations. But be careful of monkeys.dont bring any food in your hand when you visit this place as monkeys tend to grab those food

Very important historical place located in Polonnaruwa. It shows the talent of ancient Sri Lankans.

The Gal Vihara, and known originally as the Uttararama, is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city Polonnaruwa, the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Polonnaruwa, now present-day Polonnaruwa, in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was fashioned in the 12th century by King Parakramabahu I.

Gal Vihara (Sinhala: stone temple), Buddhist Temple at (UNESCO World Heritage Site) at Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka is the most perfect specimen of Buddha statue hewn out of solid stone. Crafted during the reign of King Parakrabahu (1153-1186 A. C)

The most perfect specimen of Buddha statue hewn out of solid stone. It is undeniable that the sculptors of Gal Vihara were of greater skill and expertise in the art of stone sculpture in Sri Lanka. Specification is four images carved out of a single massive slab bring to life the serene and subtle expressions of the Buddha and graceful flow of the robes.

In order to protect them from acid rain, the resplendent images are sheltered under a new roof, the aesthetic perfection of which might be debatable.

This is another UNESCO word heritage site in Sri Lanka standing in Polonnaru kingdom

It is one of the most visited and famous places in polonnaruwa. Has 4 buddhas in different postures: 2 sitting buddhas in meditative posture, one standing buddha and one in sleeping posture. Also has ancient sinhala inscriptions on a rock face. The whole thing was cut from solid rock, reflecting the skill of the craftsmen.

The Stone Temple is one of the most revered and revered monuments in Polonnaruwa. The Uttararamaya built by King Parakramabahu the Great of Polonnaruwa in the 12th century is today known as the Gal Viharaya. The Uttararama complex is a magnificent structure with several statues carved out of a sloping rock about 56 yards long. Lieutenant Fagan, Samuel Baker, J. W. Birch was the first R. W.to photograph these ruins. Stuart et al. 1907 The then Commissioner of Archeology has noted that no other temple comparable to this can be found in the Indian subcontinent.

One of the magnificent places in Sri Lanka. It's iconic and beautiful. Four statues of Lord Buddha has been carved on rock.

The Gal Viharaya, and originally as the Uttararamaya, is a rock temple of Buddhism situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in the northern central province, Sri Lanka. It was fashioned in the 12th century by King Parakramabahu the first. The central feature of the temple is four rock relief statues of the lord Buddha, which have been carved into the face of a large granite rock.

Originally known as Uththararamaya, this temple complex is popularly known as Gal Viharaya and is situated within the Alahana Pirivena Complex in Polonnaruwa. The centerpiece of the temple are the four statues of Lord Buddha, carved in rock (seating, standing & reclining postures). Best time to visit is either early in the morning or the late evening.

Gal viharaya is a temple that is situated in Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka. This is a temple and there a three significance Buddha's statues that are made from the actual rock. These statues are representing three various poses of lord Buddha. There are a few differences in these statues when comparing with statues of of other eras. The area is covered with many rocks too and some deers can be seen in the forest near this. Naturally beautiful and a bit sunny area. Local and foreign tourists can visit easy to this place.

Part of Parakramabahu I’s northern monastery, Gal Vihara is a group of beautiful Buddha images that probably marks the high point of Sinhalese rock carving. The giant reclining Buddha statue will be familiar to many travellers, having graced the cover of numerous travel guides to the country (and even more Instagram feeds!), but the complex is actually home to four separate Buddha images, all cut from one long slab of granite. At one time, each was enshrined within a separate enclosure.

The standing Buddha is 7m tall and is said to be the finest of the series. The unusual crossed position of the arms and sorrowful facial expression led to the theory that it was an image of the Buddha’s disciple Ananda, grieving for his master’s departure for nirvana, since the reclining image is next to it. The fact that it had its own separate enclosure, along with the discovery of other images with the same arm position, has discredited this theory and it is now accepted that all the images are of the Buddha.

The reclining Buddha depicted entering parinirvana (nirvana-after-death) is 14m long. The detail here is amazing, notably the subtle depression in the pillow under the head, and the lotus symbols both on the pillow end and on the soles of Buddha's feet.

The seated Buddha on the far left has four further Buddhas depicted in the torana (ornamental gateway) above, making this a probable depiction of the Five Dhyani Buddhas. The carvings make superb use of the natural marbling in the rock.

The fourth Buddha in the small rock cavity is smaller and of inferior quality.

The Gal Vihara  (Sinhala:  ගල් විහාර), and originally as the Uttararama  (Sinhala:  උත්තරාම), is a rock temple of the Buddha situated in the ancient city of Polonnaruwa in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. It was fashioned in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I. The central feature of the temple is four rock relief statues of the Buddha, which have been carved into the face of a large granitic (granite gneiss) rock. The images consist of a large seated figure, another smaller seated figure inside an artificial cavern, a standing figure and a reclining figure. These are considered to be some of the best examples of ancient Sinhalese sculpting and carving arts, and have made the Gal Vihara the most visited monument at Polonnaruwa.