GAL VIHARA,Polonnaruwa,Sri Lanka.
Polonnaruwa Gal Viharaya ( Uththararamaya) is one of the
main attraction in Polonnaruwa. The name Uththararama means the temple by the
north side. This magnificent group of statues was built by king Parakramabahu
(1153-1186) which was part of the Uthararama Complex.
This has two seating Buddha statues, one Standing statue and
one statue in a Parinirvana Manchakaya. All the statues were done from a single
huge granite rock.
Seated Buddha statues
The large samadhi Buddha statue is around 16 feet in height
and it’s the left most one towards the west. There are some decorations in the
back wall. There are archaeological facts that, there was a brick house build
around this, but you can't see that in here.
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Seated Buddha statues
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| Seated Buddha statues |
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| Seated Buddha statues |
Standing Buddha Statue
This
has been disputed by some and think this is the statue of Ananda thero at the
site of lord Buddha’s passing away. This 23 feet tall statue is thought to be
done by a later king as the chronicles talk about only two statues in the
seating position and one statue on the lying position which was done by King
Parakramabahu (1153-1186).
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Standing Buddha Statue
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Standing Buddha Statue
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Parinirvana (Final Extinction) Status
ND
