Polonnawura, Sri Lanka - 10 February 2014; One of the most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vi

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Polonnawura, Sri Lanka - 10 February 2014; One of the most ancient of Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first declared the capital city by King Vijayabahu I, who defeated invaders in 1070 to reunite the country. It has been declared a World Heritage Site. Here we see the justly famed reclining Buddha statue of Polunnawara. It was fashioned in the 12th century by Parakramabahu I. Reclining Buddhas like this are an important recurring iconographic theme in Buddhist art. They represents the historical Buddha during his last illness, about to enter the parinirvana.

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Photo credit: © Jon Bower / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
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