Nissankamallapura Gal Vihara (Uttararama), Sri Lanka

Address

Nissankamallapura Gal Vihara (Uttararama), Pilima, Nissankamallapura, Sri Lanka

Diety

Buddha

Introduction

The Gal Vihara , also known as Gal Viharaya and originally as the Uttararama, 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. Some granite ruins. 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.