Post by Meshaun Journeys

Before it became a ruin, Polonnaruwa was a royal city of colour, devotion, engineering, and extraordinary beauty. Many of our guests arrive seeing only ancient stone. But once they begin to learn the real story, they imagine the city as it once was — painted, alive, sacred, and highly advanced — Polonnaruwa becomes unforgettable. This is a Muragala, or Guardstone, from ancient Sri Lanka. It stood at the entrance of sacred buildings, symbolising protection, prosperity, and welcome. The figure is often a Nāga Raja, a serpent guardian, shown with a cobra hood, a pot of abundance, and attendants below. The first image is an artistic reconstruction of how it may have appeared. The second is how it stands today. 📍 Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka During its golden age in the 12th century, Polonnaruwa was one of Asia’s remarkable centres of architecture, irrigation, Buddhist art, and urban planning — a reminder that Sri Lanka’s ancient civilisation was far more advanced than many imagine. UNESCO describes Polonnaruwa as the monumental garden-city created by King Parakramabahu I.