Sacred City of Anuradhapura 

Anuradhapura is located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The extent of the historic town is about 50 hectares. Anuradhapura is the altitude of 81 meters. City, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, is the center of Theravada Buddhism for centuries. Climate highest rainfall is expected in October, November and December months. In April and May of evening thundershowers would have expected. Other months especially fair (sunny and dry weather). The average temperature is about 32 ° C.

Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of the ancient civilization of Sri Lanka. It is the third capital of the Kingdom of Rajarata, following Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara kingdom. It remained the capital of Sri Lanka for about 1400 years and is the oldest city of Sri Lanka.

Anuradhapura, city largest monastery of the ancient world that dates from the middle of the 5th century B.C. remained the proud seat of kingdom of Sri Lanka until the 11th century A.D.  fixed seats are proud kingdom of Sri Lanka until the 11th century A.D. Anuradhapura filled with monuments renovated, the buildings restored, the ruins preserved and historical sites where archaeological excavation is still being kept.

Anuradhapura was the cradle of Sinhala Buddhist noble civilization. Pride of place in Anuradhapura had taken by ancient stupa and ancient reservoirs. Towering stupas (dagobas) of stupendous domes, the marvels of ancient civil engineering, were built having taken into the account the effects of lightening on high rise constructions, among numerous other engineering factors.  Extensive rainwater reservoirs built by crossing the river with a huge dam and control the outlets with “Bisokotuwa” (Sinhala: Queens existing Annex entries, of course) valve pits (sluice gate), extend lifeline to Anuradhapura district to date.

Among other attractions Anuradhapura is a magnificent stone carvings and monumental wealth of extraordinary grace; colossal stone pillar that stands proudly in the middle of the ruins of the royal palaces, Buddhist monasteries and temples; a magnificent swimming pool cut stone advanced hydrology.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi (Bodhi Tree)

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred Bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa) lying in Anuradhapura. It is one of the most sacred places of worship Buddha in Sri Lanka. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi of Anuradhapura is the world’s oldest human-planted living tree. It is said to be the southern branch of the Sri Maha Bodhi in Bodh Gaya in India where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. It was brought to Sri Lanka from Bodh Gaya in India by Ven “Sanghamitta Therini”, younger brother of Mahinda Arhant, with the patronage of Emperor Dharmashoka. It was planted in the garden of King Devanapiyatissa kingdom known as the Supreme Meghavana Udyanaya in Anuradhapura. The area around the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi consists of Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace) and the magnificent Ruwanweliseya Dagoba, which was probably once part of the Great Temple Maha Vihara. A continuous succession of trustees has been taken care of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi for more than 2000 years, even during the period of occupation of India.

Ruwanweliseya Dagoba

Ruwanweliseya is shaped bubble dagobas 55 meters was built in the 2nd century BC by King Dutugemunu (161 BC – 137 BC) who could not live to see completed. This is the greatest work of King Dutugemunu. Initially dagobas stand taller than the current height. This is because it was heavily damaged by the invaders of India and after restoration height is falling to 55 meters and a diameter of 115.5 meters.

Dagoba was originally surrounded by two large paved court or platform, the inner one is raised above the exterior. Along the outer side-wall boundary there was initially a complete circle elephant, made of brick and coated with Chunam each elephant comes, said Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka, which is structured around the 6th century with real ivory tusks. Most of these numbers have fallen far beyond recognition; but in some, the shape of animals still clearly discernable. ”

Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace)

Lying between the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanweliseya Dagoba, Lovamahapaya or brash palace is an ancient building that has a bronze roof. Originally built by King Dutugemunu (161 BC – 137 BC) more than 2,000 years ago, is a nine-storey Lovamahapaya 150 ft tall buildings that can accommodate 1000 monks, but over time it was rebuilt many times. What can be seen today is the 1600 stone columns.

Mirisavetiya Dagoba

A large dagobas standing near Tissa Wewa (lake), Mirisavetiya Dagoba built by King Dutugemunu (161 BC-137 BC) in the 2nd century BC. Enshrined in the dagoba is an ornate sceptre that contains a relic of Buddha.

Jetavanarama Stupa

Built by King Mahasena (273-301 AD), Jetavanarama Stupa is the largest stupa/dagoba in Sri Lanka. Enshrined in the dagoba is believed to be a part of a sash or belt worn by the Buddha.  . Today, dagobas stands 70m high but originally may have stood up to 100m high. It is the largest building ever built of brick, and the 3rd largest structures in the ancient world, after the two largest of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Approximately 93.3 million baked bricks used to build the stupa (Ratnayaka 1993).

This stupa belongs to Sagalika sect. The compound covers about 8 acres (5.6 hectares) and once housed more than 3,000 Buddhist monks. One side of the Stupa is 576 ft (176 m) long, and a flight of stairs at each of the four sides that are 28 ft (8.5 m) wide. Doorpost to the shrine, which is located in the courtyard, is 27 ft (8.2 m) high. This stupa has 6 meter deep foundations, and sat down in bedrock. A stone inscription in the courtyard gives the names of people who contributed to the development effort.

Tuparama Stupa

Located north Ruwanweliseya Dagoba and built by King Devanapiyatissa (307 BC-267 BC), Tuparamaya is the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka built after the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Immortalized in dagobas is a sacred Buddha relic of the cervical vertebrae. These relics, gift from India, standing testimony to good relations enjoyed by the then ruler of Sri Lanka. Column around the stupa is a part of the road which supports the roof that covered the sacred building. Aesthetically, the interior like structure definitely an amazing expression of engineered wood and the most skilled craftsmanship. The edifice’s conical design of this building, which is unique in the history of world architecture, continues to be discussed and debated by scholars and scientists. Thuparamaya is a residential complex for monks.

Abhayagiri Dagoba

Abhayagiri is a large monastery complex built by King Walagamba (103 BC and 89-77 BC) during the 2nd century BC. The dagoba is that originally stood 117 meters high, but today stands just 75 meters tall. Monastery is said to have accommodated about 5000 monks. This large abbey ruins visible today.

Lankarama

Located in Galhebakada in Anuradhapura, Lankarama is a stupa built by King Walagamba (103 BC and 89-77 BC) in the 1st century BC. The ruins at the site bear testimony to the fact that there has been Vatadage, houses encircling the stupa. Stupas surrounding yard is 3 meters above the ground. Nearby is Et Pokuna (elephant pond ), which had been watered by Periyakulama tank through subterranean canals. The pool stands 159 meters, 52.7 meters in width and 9.5 meters in depth. Et Pokuna believed to have been used by the Buddhist monks living in the Abhayagiri monastery.

Samadhi Statue

Looming over the entire site of Mahamevnawa Park in Anuradhapura, Samadhi Statue is located in the middle of the park. Statue of envy has a profound meditation and Buddha’s position at first Enlightenment on the way to Nirvana. The sculpture can easily be found in the East of Abhayagiri Dagoba, west south Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and on the shore of Tissa Wewa.

Now it is covered with a metal roof on top of the statue. The sculpture takes you to the knowledge of architecture and ancient skilled in Sri Lanka about 3 and 4th century. However, government authorities Samadhi statue was found in 1886 it had fallen to the bottom of the seat. The nose of the statue had to be reconstructed. But it took an artificial appearance to the Statue. The government authorities must be placed correctly and preserve it. If not, it will disappear.

It gives you a neutered feeling from the front. So some argue that this statue teach us a lesson wider than Buddhism on ‘How to tolerate your feelings’. Archaeologists said that the originator of this beautiful statue placed the eyes of the Buddha because nothing is the same as for any other sculptures from around the world.

Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds)

Located in Abhayagiri monastic complex, Kuttam Pokuna it means the pool is a good set of twins swam like a swimming pool, north which stands 40m long and 28m south. It was built to be used by the monks living in the monastery Abhayagiri for showers

One of the wonders of ancient hydrological Sri Lanka, Kuttam Pokuna watered through a fine filtration system. The water is channeled through underground channels first delivered to the space rock in which mud and other dirt particles deposit and clear water then flows into a larger pool through the mouth of the dragon, and then into a smaller pool.

Moonstone “Sandakada Pahana”

The first sandakada pahana was created during the latter stages of the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura. They just placed at the entrance to the Buddhist temple during this period. Carving of semicircular stone slabs the same in every sandakada pahana. Half lotus was carved in the center, which is covered by several concentric bands. The first band of half lotus decorated with swans procession, followed by a band with intricate foliage designs known as “liyavel”. The third band has a carving of four animals; elephants, lions, horses, and cattle. Fourth animals follow one another in the procession symbolizing the four stages of life: growth, energy, power and patience. The fourth and outermost band contains carving fire, usually interpreted as representing a fire altar.