Gal Vihar

Jananathamangalam [ polonnaruwa ], which is in the UNESCO World Heritage List, is one of the most ancient countries in Sri Lanka. It was built by Chola King Vijayabahu. It is a ruined memorial city like Hampi in Karnataka. Gal Vihar is a Buddha rock temple situated in this memorial city. The main attraction in this temple is the three Buddha statues carved on a large rock. The Meditation Buddha statue of 15 feet at first sight. A 4 feet Buddha statue is in a cave near to that, and it is a temple. Buddha believers pray and offer flowers in this temple. A statue of Buddha lying with his head on one hand, is a 46ft large statue carved on a large rock, is the third statue. It was built by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century.