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 king Parakramabahu I. 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, Sri Lanka. This statue's face carries a sorrowful expression and the reclining image, which depicts the Buddha's parinirvana, lies next to it, which has led some to believe that it is the monk Ãâ¬nanda, who is lamenting the Buddha's demise at his deathbed.
|
