Polonnaruwa: Sri Lankan Travels (Dec 2023)

Greetings Subscribers & Viewers:
Let us return to Sri Lanka and another one of their World Heritage Sites - Polonnaruwa.
Polonnaruwa, situated in the heart of Sri Lanka, stands as a testament to the island's rich history, boasting a legacy of cultural, scientific, and architectural marvels. Founded in the 11th century AD by King Vijayabahu I, Polonnaruwa served as the island's capital for nearly two centuries, witnessing the zenith of Sinhalese civilization. And 10 centuries later, I still have difficulty pronouncing its name! This video also captures the first time I work solo with my GoPro/RODE mic set up, and of course I did many embarrassing things including losing my microphone! So, stay tuned for those shenanigans.
Please note that I handed over much of the time to our guide. I have mixed feelings about this. I do want to ensure that someone who lived in the place shares their history in their voice. However, I likely handed too much screen time to them. However, I did capture most of their presentation here, and I hope you appreciate the detail for your future travel consideration.
During its heyday, Polonnaruwa was a hub of innovation and scholarship. Its engineers and architects constructed remarkable reservoirs, such as the immense Parakrama Samudra, displaying advanced hydraulic engineering techniques. For those familiar with my odd obsession with water and sewage, the evidence that this civilization took to manage its water is alone worthy of further investigation. The city's layout, characterized by well-planned streets, gardens, and monumental structures like the Royal Palace and the Gal Vihara, reflects sophisticated urban planning principles. It even had a dedicated hospital! The Gal Vihara, renowned for its colossal Buddha statues carved into the granite rock, remains an unparalleled testament to the island's artistic prowess. These sculptures, with their serene expressions and intricate details, exemplify the skill of ancient Sri Lankan craftsmen.
Moreover, Polonnaruwa's historical significance extends beyond its borders. In 1982, the British band Duran Duran chose the ruins of Polonnaruwa as the backdrop for their iconic music video, "Save a Prayer." This exposure introduced the ancient city to a global audience, further highlighting its allure and cultural importance. With this and a couple other videos, Duran Duran sparked my imagination over 40 years ago to want to visit this remarkable site, and I am thankful for I made it here.
Today, Polonnaruwa continues to captivate visitors with its awe-inspiring relics and serene ambiance. Exploring the ruins offers a glimpse into Sri Lanka's illustrious past and provides a profound appreciation for the ingenuity of its forebears. From the intricately carved temples to the sprawling archaeological sites, every corner of Polonnaruwa resonates with history and beauty. Combined with Sigiriya and Kandy, Polonnaruwa is well worth a stop on the high central plateau of this emerging tourist destination.
If you do go, make sure and stop at "Priyamali gedara." It's a vegetarian restaurant, but way more than that - everything is grown nearby and fresh and vibrant, all the cooking is done on coal and in clay pots, and you bear witness to its preparation while you eat! Eating here elevated this overall experience to a 12/10.
Have you ever been to Sri Lanka? If so, where was your favourite place? If not, where specifically would you like to go? Let us know in the comments below. #tastetheworld. ✌🏽🥂
Thanks again for watching! We appreciate the views and feedback. It is motivating to keep putting out these vids. I hope you enjoy, give it a like, occasionally participate in a discussion or leave a comment. And I do hope you subscribe and join me on this fun little journey.
Instagram: / brians.table
Facebook: / brianscommunity.table
Website: brianstable.com/ (Launching 2024)
Helpful references:
UNESCO World Heritage Convention, Ancient City of Polonnaruwa: whc.unesco.org/en/list/201/
Sri Lankan View, Polonnaruwa: www.srilankaview.com/polonnar...
Duran Duran, Save a Prayer (Official Video): • Duran Duran - Save A P...
#srilanka #polonnaruwa #worldheritagesite #srilankatourism #srilankatravel #srilankahistory #ancientcivilizations

[@humarazaq5750]

Great video with excellent explanation.

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks!

[@yyzkevinogrady]

These are remarkable places that you are taking us too. I really appreciate the captions for clarifications and corrections.

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks. And the Duran Duran connection is a bonus.

[@lahiru1k]

that guide was amazing! He explained everything so well and looked so happy to share all that cool history.

[@Kaile1789]

Wow he explained so much history.. Everything makes sense when he explains

[@brianscommunitytable]

Our guide was excellent. With the exception of the 50 million people. I think that was the only miscommunication

[@Dhammaloka666]

And he said "i believe" in that part.

[@samarakoonwansaratne8219]

මේ අපේ ( වරදීප/ඕජදීප/මණ්ඩදීප ) වර්තමානයේ ශ්‍රීලංකා නමින් හදුන්වන රටේ පුරාණ ශ්‍රී විබුථිය. Special thanks (brian's table ) filming my beautiful country ancient civilizations places.ශ්‍රීලංකා මිනිස්සු ශිෂ්ටසම්පන්න ජාතියක් වශයෙන් පරිණාමය වී මීට‍ අවුරුදු 5000 කටත් වැඩියි.

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thank you!

[@thatwasmeyyc]

The masonry and stone carvings are amazing. It's so beautiful there! Thanks for sharing the tour. The sound is perfectly fine considering the missing mic

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks! Chandra the driver saved the day! And I am now way more careful with my equipment!

[@randimabandara2794]

I watched the full video without skipping. This is amazing. Thanks for sharing. I love my mother land 🇱🇰

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks!

[@heshanieuthpalaa9785]

When I was grade 10 and 11 in 2004/2005 had studied social studies and very hard to remember all the kings names and their eras and what they did,but this uncle explained very well in English and it’s much clearer than my teachers teaches in Sinhala 😊 And I love my country Thank you for sharing this video Love from New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks. As someone with diasporic roots of another culture, i absolutely appreciate that.

[@anutheexplorer1643]

Thank you for get help of such a knowledgeable person to the video. He explained it very well and correct information of history goes the world. Than explain how you feel from your perception . Nice video . Thank you for your interest . 🙏 Love from Sri Lanka 🇱🇰

[@himanthapoornika6623]

what a great history😧😧

[@nalin8182]

Most the explanation done by guide was correct regarding history. SRI LANKA had many kingdoms. Anuradhapura Polonnaruwa Dambadeniya. yapahuwa. Gampola Seethawaka. Kotte Kandy. When you look at the ruins and number of structures at each kingdom, definitely the population has to be more. Even in modern world structure s were built keeping with population requirements. Even modern day Polonnaruwa as a district has only 1 million people. But if you really think the entire SRI LANKA as a one place population at that time has to be more than the present day 22 million. Our history says due to malaria and various sickness and droughts many people died also some Kingdoms had to be abandoned. Due to invasions by South indians also sickness and food and water shortage s . That's why kings have built man made lakes all over Sri Lanka counting more than 20000 twenty thousand. That itself give an rough idea about the old days population. Entire Sri Lanka is like a Musium. . Everywhere you find ancient ruins. Very few places been excavated. Much more to done .let the future generations find the rest . Thank you for visiting Sri Lanka and letting the world know what Sri Lanka is all about. We Sri Lankan s had a great civilization much before all other nation s . (Sinhalese Buddhist civilization) Unfortunately very few know about it. Safe and happy journey ❤

[@brianscommunitytable]

Wow. Thanks! And thanks for sharing that! I actually did a thought experiment in what if half of India invaded SL in 1400. India’s population then was 102 million (India always had a big population). So yes, 1/2 of their population would be on SL. That’s just crazy! I suspect a 500k to be more feasible. But let’s say it was 5 million, then SL’s population basically declined or held steady for over 400 years. And that seems odd, given the subsequent growth and consolidation of these kingdoms. (I find it difficult to lose my demographer hat while traveling as the structure of a population explains about 2/3 of everything about society and economics.)

[@user-vb3yi5fk6x]

Welcome to Sri Lanka . Trinidad also very beautiful . And also made world famous great cricketers. And you have great cricket lovers . Welcome to Sri Lanka.

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks. It was the heyday of the SL cricket greats that was a motivating factor to visit. But SL, while facing economic and political challenges, is so interesting from its ancient kingdoms to worker coops, food ingredients and your epic variations of rice & curry. It was a fantastic trip.

[@buddhikanuwan8617]

Wow, one of the best explanation heard in my life, and nice vloging thank u both of you

[@madushanka4551]

most of the things he said was bunch of nonsense! isn't even correct😅

[@anutheexplorer1643]

Tell me one. Dont be fool.

[@vimukthisl4440]

This YT channel is very unique and did a good job. Also very good editing,background musics and very good explanation...this is our history.lot of people think we are part of the India but we are not.we had a world best technologies compare to the other countries but lot of countries attacking us and stole our things.keep doing good things.good luck for your future.❤

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks!

[@virajsbandara3452]

I'm sri Lankan but sad to say I have never heard this type of explanation before. Thanks for sharing with us

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks! Much appreciated! It is important to me to let someone local tell the history of these monuments.

[@AsiriNanayakkara-mq5dw]

Thank you so much ❤

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thank you! I enjoyed documenting this history.

[@MrViddha]

This is the best vlog I have ever seen about Polonnaruwa...

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks! I just try to capture what I observe. My friend Lilla and I met many years ago doing post graduate degrees in Economics, so we a worldview of understanding systems, so I want to try and understand history through a different lens.

[@isurudilshan4704]

Agreed 👍

[@pf3727]

👍👍

[@englishforsrilanka2535]

You've earned yourself a subscriber Brian!

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thank you very much! I have found this process humbling as much as it is rewarding.

[@ChandimaJayanath]

" Thank you for gracing our land with your presence, Dear traveler😍

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks! It was a great experience. Everyone should visit Sri Lanka one day. It is a unique place in our world.

[@rukisvlog-nissankarukshan6325]

Wonderful explanation 🙏🙏🙏

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks! And thanks to this guide!

[@callum9880]

Can’t wait visit! Wow Duran Duran didn’t realise

[@JP19455]

I appreciate your clear and detailed presentation.👍 A nice vedio 😊🥰

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks. I am early in my KZbin channel and still working out many things. I like the idea of showing folks key details and my perspective on what I am experiencing.

[@samithdlan3725]

Compherensive travel experience here❤😊

[@user-vb3yi5fk6x]

It’s a great great video. Thank you so much. I learned lot from it about the polonnaruwa ancient history .

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Noone-kk8zd]

Hi, If you can will you be able to leave any contacts for the guide, me and my friends are planning to visit Sri Lanka and I think this guide is a really good choice for us.

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks! I may have his contact. Let me check and I will post him. But we met him outside of the gate after a few questions and felt he was a good fit.

[@wolfgangfranke2752]

So many ancient and unique places in this country. I travelled Sri Lanka since the 70ties to the 90ties and found so many stunning places like Mihintale and the obviously almost forgotten tribe of the veddahs somewhere in the jungle. This paradise has it all and it has to be protected.

[@chaminienanayakkara3294]

Absolutely loved the explanations...

[@charithdissanayake694]

Wow, good explanation

[@sudmudmud357]

Lanka Thilakaya and Watadge temple in polonnaruwa are absolutely beautiful. So proud to born SriLanka and being Buddhist… history and ancient ancestor’s remarkable contribution to Buddhism is out of this world. When living in overseas ( Australia 🇦🇺) we value our country more.

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks. As a multigenerational diasporic person, I can relate to this perspective.

[@i_am_pasindu]

Sri Lankan History + culture + buddhism + how we are connected to india(small portion of the history ) + Hinduism were nicely explained. kudos to the travel guide and Thanks you 'Brian's Table' for uploading this content. ❤

[@uchadahb]

Great video... Thank you for the guide for nice explaination

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks. It is important for me to capture history and culture from a local perspective.

[@nadeeshaweerasinghe2485]

Kailasha temple in India also made out of carving a huge rock..At that time that technology was there and nowadays no one knows how to build this kind of rock carvings..

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks! And that's true. It actually requires a lot of math, technical expertise and loads of cheap labour. :-)

[@hasithjayarathne3660]

Wow. Beautiful vlog.

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks!

[@sandini_thilakarathna]

❤❤😍

[@brandons3000]

Well regarding population in sri Lanka at those times, i always wondered about why they built so many man made lakes to feed people. I think number is over 2000 lakes

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks. One of the things I tend to harp on is to have a functioning society you need water management. SL did a good job of this. And now 1/3 of their power comes from hydroelectric. So in some odd way, the ancestors thought about a long term solution to problems they couldn't even imagine!

[@Beastbangla014]

that's awsome videos

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks!

[@Beastbangla014]

But you deserve more subscribers and views..Do you know how to do it?

[@Sky_355]

great explanation

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks.

[@lakshithabandara613]

it's a great video❤

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thank you.

[@kfaradox897]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@dorakumburesirirathana5996]

We will wait another valuable vidio in srilanka

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks! Working on it!

[@donchamantha9696]

😍😍

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks!

[@nalakarajapakshageo]

❤🇱🇰

[@priyaniwirakoon6201]

😊 Polon naruwa 🙏

[@TharangikaFernando-by7ci]

Mallawa uncle is best❤

[@dinukamadushan5004]

🇱🇰

[@OurHistoryT.C.W]

17:06 I havent references at this time but I remember that my professor sayed once there maybe 5 million people lived in polonnaruwa era. But remember this, this is some hypothetical fact only. There is no any research about population at that time. Believe me I tried to find them long ago.

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks for that! As demography was one of my practice areas, scientifically/mathematically it is really hard to get to a number greater than 500k in my mind. But I am really happy to be wrong about that. 🙂

[@boo9523]

Demography is on young population. Many assumed to be died young, so.. usually many kids in a family, even until 1950's there have been 8-10 kids per woman. So i don't know whether its impossible. Of course there were plenty of food when the area was prosperous and drought free. It was a fertile and organized grounds for population explosion. Then many died without food because of drought. I still thinks the theory of steady gradual growth of population is bonkers.

[@OurHistoryT.C.W]

@@boo9523 you can get some idea checking first census of sri lanka in 1881. Yah 1950s had highest population growth rate but before???

[@anushkaweerakkodi9315]

🇱🇰🖤

[@GROWITHME5]

I did't know all this. I'm sri lankan 😮

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks! Neither did we. It’s amazing! And I am happy to share it with all.

[@dorakumburesirirathana5996]

This guide who is interlectuel person.

[@chrysimpett1145]

Did. U. See. The. Harry. Munk

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks. No. Not that I can recall. Post a link?

[@BogalaSawundiris]

Sri Lankan history is pretty much Theravada Buddhist history

[@chaminienanayakkara3294]

Could you kindly share this guide's contact number, we would like to have a tour in Polonnaruwa.

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks! He was very good. We literally found him outside the gate, chatted and agreed to his fee. So the only thing I will advise is ask around in advance. Grab a screen cap, as he is well known among the guides. He rides a motorcycle if that helps.

[@user-sc4ii2tk4y]

ඉංග්‍රීසි භාෂාවෙන් පැහැදිලි කිරීම තවත් අර්ථවත්,සංවිධානාත්මක කතා විලාසයකින් කරානම් මීට වඩා හිත ඇදගන්නා ඉදිරිපත් කිරීමක් කරන්න තිබුණා...අළුත් පරම්පරාවේ මාර්ගෝපදේශක වරු මීටවඩා පැහැදිලිව වැඩ කරගෙන යනව ඇති කියල හිතනවා.

[@englishforsrilanka2535]

On the contrary, it was very well done.

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks. Apologies, I don't speak Singhala. But I am basically shooting content as I see it and try to reflect an experience that I had and wanted to share. And yes, I mostly do it for me first as I don't see anyone who looks like me doing these videos.

[@shamaleeshamalee1529]

chola , paandya people were not tamil. They were dravidians

[@brianscommunitytable]

Noted. Thanks.

[@gkcjakie002]

50 Million is bit way off. definitely less than modern population of 22 million

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks. My thoughts exactly.

[@ruwanfonseka]

No idea about the 50 Million, however during the ancient times the size of a family in Sri Lanka (i.e. the number of kids that a family had were definitely much more than what it is of today for an average family size), and the growth rate of population could have been much higher than it is as of today.

[@stinnywee1945]

@@ruwanfonseka Even thought there were large families mortality rates were high dude. No way the population was 50 million that’s ridiculous.

[@randhiperera7063]

This man calling himself a guide / lecturer is conveying many misleading information about the history of Sri Lanka. This the problem everywhere in Sri Lanka. These people must be educated and trained before offering jobs.

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks. There were a few things that were suspect, but I did some cross referencing to cross validate. Most stuff checked out. But one thing I realize with most guides, they are chock full of facts that often they mix up details. But that 50 million was way off, and I suspect that something was lost in translation.

[@shehan8013]

What he wrong where u from india

[@brandons3000]

Well he did not state population as fact but he said people belives it was 50 million, and regarding population in sri Lanka Anuradhapura times, i always wondered about why they built so many man made lakes to feed people. I think number is over 2000 lakes. And other factor I like to point out is both times Sri Lanka was invaded from india it lasted only around 50 years. Given population in India and after hear the guide I wouldn't be surprised if Sri Lanka had such population at times.

[@shamaliwije4872]

⁠@@brandons3000 Considering that we have less than half that population at present and is considered one of the countries with highest population densities, this is basically impossible. The country simply wouldn’t be able to sustain that amount. Out of the many reservoirs, many were just for the use of a particular village, and wouldn’t be that large

[@shamaleeshamalee1529]

why were they allowed to were shoes . These are sacred places. must mention before giving permission not to wear shoes. These people are not buddists and they may be unaware of it . But Being disrespectful to Lord Buddha is a big karma.

[@brianscommunitytable]

Thanks. I was following the rules laid out by local authorities.