Anuradhapura is one of Sri Lanka’s most important historic towns. Around 380 BC, King Pandukabhaya designated it as the country’s first royal capital. For the next 1400 years, it served as the capital of 119 Singhalese monarchs. Anuradhapura was invaded in 1073, and the capital was relocated to Polonnaruwa. The ruins of this city were rediscovered by navigators in the 19th century. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site that draws both local and international tourists from all over the world.
Anuradhapura is home to several spectacular dagobas, monasteries, and tanks, all of which bear testament to the city’s rich and advanced culture. The most revered site in this city is the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree. The Brazen Palace, also known as Loha Pasada, is located near the Bodhi Tree. It was founded in the second century BC. King Dutugemunu created Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba. It’s a massive dagoba that stands 337.8 feet (103 metres) tall. North of the Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba is Thuparamaya Dagoba. It was King Devanmpiyatissa who built the first dagoba in Anuradhapura.
East of Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba is Jetawanarama Dagoba. It is a massive brick edifice built by King Mahasena in the 3rd century AD. The Buddhist complex’s main feature, Abhayagiri dagoba, is located north of the city. The ‘Park of the Goldfish’ is another name for the Royal Pleasure Gardens. The garden has a piping system that distributes water to various regions. Isurumuniya Vihara is a beautiful rock temple built in the 3rd century BC during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. The Archaeological Museum is housed in a colonial structure and is located in the middle of town.
The modern Anuradhapura is a pleasant place to visit. The major guesthouse areas are surrounded by lush green trees that provide shade. To the northwest of the modern city is the old historic city. The city is too big to explore on foot, therefore the ideal means of transportation is a bicycle. Bicycles may be rented at resthouses and various guesthouses. For a city excursion, you can also rent a cab or a three-wheeler.
Main Attractions of Anuradhapura
Sri Maha Bodhi Tree
Ficus religiosa is the scientific name for the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree. It is the city’s most revered location. This tree was developed from a branch of the tree in Bodhgaya, India where the Buddha attained enlightenment. In the 3rd century BC, Princess Sanghamitta, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka and sister of Mahindra, brought this branch back from India. Although this is a bustling place of worship, it yet exudes a distinct sense of serenity and tranquillity.
Brazen Palace
The Brazen Palace, also known as Loha Pasada, is located near the Bodhi Tree. It was founded in the second century BC. This majestic mansion was originally constructed entirely of wood and had nine levels. The roof of the palace was built of copper tiles, which gave it its name. Due to a catastrophic fire, the old structure was completely destroyed. Hundreds of stone pillars still survive at this location today.
Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba
King Dutugemunu was the one who built this dagoba. In the 2nd century BC, he ruled the nation. It is a large dagoba with a perimeter of 941 feet and a height of 337.8 feet. This dagoba is regarded as Dutugemunu’s finest work, despite the fact that he died before it could be completed. When the dagoba was discovered in the early twentieth century, it was in bad shape. It was afterwards restored to its current shape, which was based on its original proportions.
Thuparamaya Dagoba
The Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba is located to the north of this dagoba. King Devanmpiyatissa built the first dagoba in the city. Buddhists see it as a sacred site. This location is said to house a Buddha bone. The original building constructed at this site was very small.
The current building, which is shaped like a bell, is rather stunning.
Jetawanarama Dagoba
East of Ruvanvelisaya dagoba lies Jetawanarama Dagoba, a large brick structure built by King Mahasena in the third century AD. It is now the city’s most important shrine.
The base has a diameter of around 370 feet (113 m), and is supported by massive foundations built of bricks and concrete. It has since been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Abhayagiri Dagoba
Abhayagiri dagoba, the centre of interest of the Buddhist complex built in the 1st century BC, is located north of the city. Valagamba was the one who started it. It used to be around 377 feet (115 metres) tall, but it’s now down to roughly 246 feet (75 m). It has a circumference of 2,187.7 feet (667 m). Monks used to practise a kind of Buddhism with Hindu elements at this complex. It had grown into a worldwide institution by the 1st century AD, and attracted intellectuals from all over the world.
Royal Pleasure Gardens
The ‘Park of the Goldfish’ is another name for Royal Pleasure Gardens. It has a piping system that distributes water to various regions. Within the park, there are two ponds that are ideally designed to complement the big stones. The pools have amazing elephant statues that look to be enjoying in the water.
Isurumuniya Vihara
This is a beautiful rock temple built in the 3rd century BC during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. The temple features several remarkable stone carvings, which are regarded as the town’s most beautiful works of art. The most well-known sculpture is ‘Lovers,’ which has inspired numerous poets to compose masterpieces.
Archaeological Museum
The Archaeological Museum is housed in a colonial structure and is located in the middle of town. The museum houses several fascinating artefacts gathered from the surrounding areas. The container housing holy artefacts unearthed at Mihintale is the most intriguing. Many carved plates from western monasteries may be seen in the collection.
The Tanks
Nuwara Wewa, Tissa Wewa, and Basawakkulama are three massive tanks in Anuradhapura. Nuwara Wewa is located in the eastern part of the country. It is the largest of the three tanks and dates from the second century AD. The tank has a total size of 2964 acres (1200 hectares). King Devanampiyatissa created Tissa Wewa, which covers an area of 160.5 acres (65 hectares). The Basawakkulama Tank is the oldest of the city’s tanks, estimated to be over 2400 years old.
