The most revered city in Sri Lanka is without a doubt Anuradhapura. Although many of its places of worship are in ruins today, a huge part of the region's iconic and historical heritage has been preserved. Anuradhapura is the ideal travel destination for tourists in love with history, for those who want to get to know the culture of this miniature country.
Ancient Anuradhapura is full of charm and mystery. Its attractions will allow you to plunge into the mystical past of Sri Lanka and even take some unique photographs there.
Not far from the Abhayagiri complex, tourists will find the ruins of the old Ratna Prasad monastery, built in the 2nd century by order of King Kanitt Tissa for the monks of the Abhayagiri order. It was gigantic in size, as evidenced by the powerful, ornate columns that can be seen today. In the 8th century, the temple was reconstructed: several floors were added and a golden statue of Buddha was installed.
One of the centers of the Sinhalese civilization, the Jetavana Pagoda has a diameter 113 meters away and reaches in height 75 meters... At one time, it was the tallest Buddhist building in South Asia. 93 million bricks were used for its construction. Today, next to the pagoda, there is a museum where you can learn the history of the site and an interesting collection of Buddhist statues is exhibited.
One of the most colorful structures in Anuradhapura, the Ruvanvelisseya Pagoda is located next to the Ethnographic Museum. An interesting wall that surrounds the pagoda, decorated with images of hundreds of elephants. Seriously damaged by war and natural disasters, the landmark today is only 55 meters high and is surrounded by a garden teeming with ruins.
Location: Abhayawewa Road.
An interesting tourist attraction in Anuradhapura is the Isurumuniya Monastery, which attracts attention with its stone sculptures, which personify Prince Salia and his beloved, a representative of the Asokamala caste.
Legend has it that the prince gave up the crown in order to marry her. Perched atop a cliff, the monastery is full of Buddhist relics brought from India in the early 4th century. There is a beautiful lake at the entrance to the temple, decorated with impressive statues of elephants.
Located in scenic location on the Tissa Veva River, Mirisavetia is a pagoda of impressive proportions. Like all pagodas in Sri Lanka, it has its own legend, which says that King Dutugemunu, who decided to swim in the river, threw off his scepter and his royal insignia. After bathing, he wanted to pick up the scepter containing the relics of the Buddha, but he could not. To protect them, the king ordered the construction of a pagoda.
Location: Old Puttalam Road.
An attraction that is very popular in Anuradhapura is the Tuparama Pagoda, built by King Dawaman Pusa. It is considered the oldest in Sri Lanka, dating back to the 3rd century. Tuparama is located to the north of the Ruvanvelisseya pagoda and has a diameter of 18 meters.
Location: Thuparama Mawatha.
The Abhayagiri complex of monasteries is the largest in Anuradhapura. Its main building, Abhayagiri Pagoda, is 108 meters away... The complex of buildings of the monastery covers an area of 200 hectares and includes several Buddhist temples. The main attraction of the complex is the Samadhi statue, which is considered one of the most beautiful images of Buddha.
Built during the reign of King Vijayanahu in the 12th century from wood, stone and clay soil, the palace covered an area of about 2.5 square kilometers. Its southern wing was given under the pagoda (Maligawa), where the relics of the Buddha were kept. The wood used in the construction did not stand the test of time, but the stone part of the building is still possible to contemplate.
Once a magnificent structure topped with a bronze roof, Lohoopasada Palace was erected over 2,000 years ago for King Dutugemenu in the 13th century. Today, here you can see the ruins of 1600 columns that supported the building. They say that the grandiose structure of the Middle Ages had 9 floors and could accommodate up to 1000 people at a time.
Money museum
In the Anuradhapura Money Museum, you can easily get acquainted with the history of Sri Lanka, starting from the earliest times. Many of its exhibits are recognized as the oldest in the world. Founded in 1982, the museum is divided into 4 expositions:
- Ancient period.
- Medieval period.
- Colonial period.
- The period of independence.
The oldest coins date from the 3rd century and are made of silver. Exhibited in the museum and gold coins, as well as foreign ones that appeared here with the beginning of the development of trade.
Location: Stage 1, New Town.
In the temple of Sri Maha Bodhi, according to Buddhists, the oldest Terra tree grows, planted in 249 BC. According to Buddhist belief, Gautami Buddha attained enlightenment before a sacred tree in Buddhagaya, India, and the Sri Maha Bothi tree is an offshoot of the southern branch of this tree. The journey to Anuradhapura will not be complete if you do not visit this sacred place for all Buddhists.
And again we are glad to see you on the pages. Today, leaving the north of Sri Lanka, namely we went to the side sacred city of Anuradhapura with many ancient monuments cultural heritage, it is also called Old town, from where in 1950 all residents were resettled to the new part of the city. And since we are not too rich travelers, we will share with you the story of how we managed to see all the sights for free.
Bus: Anuradhapura can be reached by bus in 5 hours (it comes to the bus station in the New City).
- Option 1 - after the airport in Colombo we get to the airport bus station (on foot, “tuk-tuk”). There is no direct bus from this station to Anuradhapura, but from there you can get to Colombo itself and there you can change to direct bus number 5.
- Option 2 - go to the bus station in Negombo, change to a bus to Anuradhapura or to Kurunegala, where you can change to another bus. Straight the bus is coming through Puttalam. You can also get there with a transfer via Kandy, Matale, Kurunegala.
Deciding to try public transport, we traveled by bus from Jaffna for 100 rupees (26 rubles).
Having reached the town of Kilinochi (144 km from Kilinochi to Anuradhapura), we already hitchhiked, but you can use the train (280 rupees per person).
How to get to the sacred city of Anuradhapura for free.
Since we got up early, we still had a lot of time to hitchhike to the desired point and see the sights. In principle, all the most interesting cities is located on one large territory, where a single entrance ticket costs 3200 rupees (800 rubles) or $ 25. We didn’t know yet how many passages there were. Attraction are, although I heard, in some cases, very overpriced. And the point is not at all that Sri Lanka has the most unique sights of all of Asia, it's just that the state's policy here is too greedy for money.
Naturally, paying such crazy money for a couple of stupas is too "stupid", so we walked around the territory a little from the side and climbed over a low fence. The first stop was a 120 meter stupa Jetavanarama, located on the ruins of the Jetavana monastery.
Well, yes, a large, large stupa, of which we have seen enough back in, which differs from the rest only in that it is considered the largest in Sri Lanka. And it is obligatory, it is not even stipulated, that it keeps a fragment of some "detail" of the Buddha. This time it's part of his belt.
In principle, it is even a little impressive in size and for me personally it seemed the most interesting attraction of Anuradhapura than all the other archaeological sites of the old city.
To reach the second stupa, we had to overcome the secondary ticket control, which we, of course, did not suspect.
The guard, seeing from afar two large backpacks, immediately jumped up and waved his hands at us. Andrei did not even look in his direction, passing further, I followed his example. The guard, taken aback by our impudence, threw his seat and in three leaps appeared in front of us, blocking the path and shouting “Ticket! Ticket! " I silently looked at Andrei, who looked at the guard with a stupid look and, in turn, also waved my hands at him, pretending to be a deaf-mute. The uniformed man's face slowly stretched out and froze for a few seconds. I almost ruined everything with the desire to burst out laughing when I saw his confused look. Still in shock, he automatically poked his finger in my direction, hoping that maybe I was "normal". However, I repeated the same "concert", smiling guiltily at the same time. This finally "finished off" the guard, waving his hand, he passed our smiling grateful faces further.
Picnic at the Ruvanvalisaya stupa.
Walking forward a few meters, we allowed ourselves to have fun from the heart. So as not to run into another employee holy city Anuradhapura, we walked around the big white stupa Ruvanvalisaya from the side.
I would say that it was from here that the best view of her was opened.
Another "masterpiece" of Sri Lankan architecture is also known under the names of Mahatupa, Svarnamali and Ratnamali Dagaba.
Here we temporarily dropped our backpacks to rest in the shade of trees, swing on long springy branches like monkeys, and gaze at birds.
By the way, there were enough monkeys here too, I can't stand them since childhood.
They didn’t come up to us, and okay.
Acquaintance at the sacred tree Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
After resting, the hike continued to the sacred tree Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, grown from the offshoot of the very one under which the Buddha was enlightened. I got caught on the way Lovamahapaya- a building formed in ancient times by 40 rows, each of which contains 40 stone columns, for a total of 1600 columns. The remains of the latter (and maybe a remake) can be seen right in front of the palace.
Suddenly, a young foreigner appeared in front of me, who greeted me in good English and asked where I was from. What else could I answer if not the truth. The boy was from Germany, for the first time got out of his country and somehow his choice fell on Sri Lanka. He asked where we were staying, noticing two backpacks next to me. He clearly lacked the company, perhaps he hoped to join us. I said that we are hitchhikers and sleep in a tent or at the locals. At first he was interested in this, and he even squatted in front of me, but after several of my stories, he realized that it was unlikely that we were on the way, as quickly saying goodbye as he had appeared.
By that time, Andrei had finished examining the sacred plant behind the fence, and answered my questions briefly: “a tree is like a tree, nothing special. The fence is only fenced off from especially prying eyes and mischievous hands. "
The last attraction of Anuradhapura is the Mirisaveti stupa.
Before you leave old part the sacred city of Anuradhapura, Andrei still decided to turn to the next stupa Mirisaveti Stupa, built on the site of a scepter with relics of the same Buddha.
There was nothing else to do in the city, and we went in search of a bus to the nearest one, 16 km before which we paid 35 rupees (9 rubles). Where we had dinner and found shelter in one of the churches, which accidentally remained open all night, but you will learn about these details a little later. Stay with us, subscribe to the blog news and do not forget to share your pleasant impressions of what you read with your friends through the social buttons below :).
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka: attractions, photos, weather
The city of Anuradhapura is located in the North-Central Province of Sri Lanka, 194 km from the actual capital of the country, Colombo (Colombo) and 168 km from Colombo International Airport. Anuradhapura is administrative center area of the same name. The sites of the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura are included in the World Heritage List of Sri Lanka.
Anuradhapura is one of the "corners" of the Cultural Triangle of Sri Lanka, which also includes the cities of Kandy and Polonnaruwa. The city was founded in the 6th century BC. on the Malvatu Oya river. In the Middle Ages, from the 4th to the 11th century, the city was the capital of the eponymous independent Sinhalese kingdom. The city has been a major religious Buddhist center for centuries.
Anuradhapura Map
Also, Anuradhapura is considered one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world along with Luxor, Alexandria (Egypt), Mexico City, Vera Cruz (Mexico), Dhaka (Bangladesh), Peshawar (Pakistan), etc. Today, this ancient capital of Sri Lanka is considered sacred for everything Buddhist world, the area of the surrounding monasteries of Anuradhapura is more than 40 sq km, the city is one of the main archaeological sites in the world.
According to the Mahavamsa, the great chronicle of Sri Lanka, the city of Anuradhapura was named after a minister named Anuradha who originally founded a village settlement in the area. Anuradha was one of the ministers accompanying the Indian prince Vijaya, who, according to legend, founded the Sinhalese race in Sri Lanka.
Photo of the city of Anuradhapura
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How to get to Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is a large city with a railway station and a bus station. From major cities Sri Lanka can be reached by train or bus to Anuradhapura.
How to get to Anuradhapura from Colombo
There are about 8 trains a day from Colombo to Anuradhapura. Also, a direct bus service is developed between the cities of Colombo and Anuradhapura:
- No. 15-1-1 Colombo - Anuradhapura,
- No. 15-1 Colombo - Anuradhapura,
- No. 4-3 Colombo - Anuradhapura,
- # 57 Colombo - Anuradhapura.
How to get to Anuradhapura from Negombo
Negombo is located on a branch line parallel to Anuradhapura, and therefore, to get there by train, you need to change trains in Ragama. There are 4 trains a day from Ragama to Anuradhapura. You can also get to Anuradhapura from Negombo by bus. To do this, you need to take a passing bus from Colombo to Negombo, or get to Colombo and sit there at the terminal station.
How to get to Anuradhapura from Kandy
You can get to Anuradhapura from Kandy by train with a change at the Polgahawela station. There are direct buses from Kandy to Anuradhapura:
- No. 42-2 Kandy - Anuradhapura
- No. 43 Kandy - Anuradhapura.
How to get to Anuradhapura from Galle / Matara
By rail, get to Anuradhapura with southwest coast you can take a train with a change in Colombo. You can get to Anuradhapura by bus # 2 / 4-3 Matara - Anuradhapura. And also with a change in Kalutara by bus No. 57/221/420 Kalutara - Anuradhapura.
How to get to Anuradhapura from Trincomalee
It is theoretically possible to get to Anurahdhapura from Trincomalee by train with a change in Maho, however, due to the passage of the railway tracks along the map with a large detour to the south, it is much more economical in time to use the bus. From Trincomalee to Anuradhapura you can take bus # 835 Anuradhapura - Trincomalee.
How to get to Anuradhapura from Dambulla
Buses from Dambulla to Anuradhapura:
- No. 15-17 Kurunegala - Anuradhapura,
- # 314/580/42 Anuradhapura - Badulla
How to get from Polonnaruwa to Anuradhapura
Buses pass through Polonnaruwa:
- # 22/75/218 Anuradhapura - Ampara,
- # 27/218/58 Anuradhapura - Wellawaya.
Attractions Anuradhapura
Sacred sites of Anuradhapura
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree
(Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi)
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree located in the Mahamewna Gardens. The southern right branch is believed to be the seedling of the Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Buddha Gaya in India, the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.
Sri Maha Bodhi is one of the most revered Buddhist shrines not only in Sri Lanka, but also in the world. Believers believe that a pilgrimage to a sacred tree helps to heal diseases, helps pregnant women to avoid fetal malformations, protects peasant fields from natural disasters, etc.
The existing fence around Sri Maha Bodhi was built in the 18th century. King Kirti Sri Rajasinha to protect the tree from the wild elephants found in abundance in the area. The height of the wall is 3 m, the thickness is 1.5 m.The length of the fence from north to south is 118 m, from east to west 83 m.The first golden fence around the sacred tree was built in 1969 in the city of Kandy under the leadership of Yatiravan Narada Tero ( Yatirawana Narada Thero).
The traditional Buddha Image House contains two ancient statues. The stone statue of a cobra is a very rare image. In the South-West temple complex Shri Jaya Maha Bodhi are the remains of the Dakkina Tupa dagoba.
Dagoba Ruwanvelisaya
(Ruwanwelisaya)
The Ruvanvelisaya Stupa, or Ratnamali as it is also called, was built by King Datugemunu in 161 BC. after defeating the Chola invaders from India. The king hired an architect who designed the dagoba, the dome of which, according to the monarch, resembled a "milk bubble". King Datugemunu himself did not live to see the completion of the construction, which took a total of more than 33 years, and the construction was completed by his brother King Saddhatissa.
The height of the Ruvanvelisaya stupa is 103 m, and the diameter is 292 m, this soup was truly a miracle of the architectural skill of that time. Ancient chronicles describe in detail the materials used in the construction of the dagoba and its foundations. In addition to common stones, gold, silver, pearls, corals and precious stones were used.
The original building was destroyed in the 19th century and then rebuilt in 1940. There is a sanctuary near the dagoba, in which there are 5 limestone statues of the standing Buddha. Four statues date back to the 8th century and symbolize the past incarnations of the Buddha, and the fifth statue symbolizes the future (Maitreya Buddha) with a tiara on his head and a lotus flower in his hands.
Dagoba Ruvanvelisaya is one of 16 Buddhist places of worship in Sri Lanka, designated by the term Solosmasthana. It is believed that the stupa contains part of the ashes of the Buddha. Dagoba was built in such a way as to correspond to the Teachings of the Buddha: the dome symbolizes the infinity of the Teaching, the four sides above it represent the Four Noble Truths, concentric rings indicate the Noble Eightfold Middle Path, and the large crystal at the top of the stupa represents the ultimate goal of enlightenment.
Dagoba Tuparama / Tuparamaya
(Thuparamaya)
The snow-white Dagoba Tuparama was erected in the shape of a bell, with a base diameter of 18 m, and a height of 50 m. Previously, the Tuparama Dagoba was much larger, but throughout its history it was completely destroyed several times. The stupa was last rebuilt in 1862.
The base of the stupa is paved with granite slabs, the dagoba is surrounded by 4 rows of stone pillars. The height of the stone pillars, on which the massive roof previously rested, decreases as we move from the outer to the inner circle. The domed roof over the stupa, which existed earlier, but has not survived to the present day, was supported by 176 columns.
Dagoba Tuparama was built in the 3rd century. BC. during the reign of King Devamnampiyatissa. The stupa was erected by the king at the request of Mahinda Thero, who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka to enclose in it a relic - the right collarbone of the Buddha. The building has an original design: the vatadage vaulted temple is pushed under the dome of the dagoba.
In the 7th century, the Tuparamaya stupa was completely covered in gold. Including the built-in watadage temple made of golden bricks with golden doors. After the attack of the South Indian Tamils from the Pandyan kingdom, the stupa was plundered, and all gold, jewelry and treasures were taken away.
In the middle of the 10th century. The Sinhalese king Mahinda IV restored the Dagoba, covered it with gold and installed golden doors, but again at the end of the 10th century Tamil tribes from South India Chola completely plundered the temple complex. The last restoration of the stupa was completed in the middle of the 19th century, however, in the process of restoration, the ancient stupa completely lost its previous architectural features.
Lovamahapaya Bronze Palace
(Lovamahapaya / Lohaprasadaya)
Lovamahapaya Palace was founded in the 3rd century. BC. the first Buddhist king of Sri Lanka, Devanampyatissa, who, at the request of Mahinda Thero, who brought Buddhism to the island, built the first building on this site. A century later, in the 2nd century. BC, King Datugemunu significantly expanded the architectural complex to the scale that can be seen today.
According to the Sinhala Chronicle of Mahavamsa, the building of the Lovamahapaya palace was a nine-storey building 47 m high, its vaults were supported by 1600 stone columns. The palace was adorned with coral and precious stones, and the roof was covered with copper-bronze plates. Obviously for this reason, Lovamahapaya Palace is also called Lohaprasadaya, which is translated from Sinhalese and means "Bronze Palace". The upper floors of the building were made of wood and were destroyed in the 2nd century BC. in case of fire.
Throughout history, the building of the palace was rebuilt 7 times. At the beginning of the 3rd century, during the reign of King Sirinaga II, the palace was rebuilt, but its height was already 5 floors. By the middle of the 3rd century. King Jettatissa added two more floors, making it seven-story. Then, at the end of the 3rd century, King Mahasena destroyed the palace using materials to build the Abhayagiri complex, which caused a sharp conflict with the monastic community of Mahavihara.
In the 4th century. his son Sirimeghavanna rebuilt the palace again. In this form, the building existed until the 9th century, until it was destroyed by the invasion of the South Indian kingdom of Pandya. At the end of the same 9th century. King Sena II (Sena II) rebuilt the palace, but in the 10th century. the Indian invaders of Cola invaded the kingdom and completely plundered and destroyed it. Then Anuradhapura fell and the city ceased to be the capital of the kingdom, and only in the 11th century, during the reign of King Parakramabhu I (Parakramabhu I), stone pillars were raised, and the building of the Lovamahapaya palace was partially restored. In this form, the building of the palace remains to this day.
Dagoba Jetavanaramaya
(Jetavanaramaya)
Dagoba, built of red brick, Jetavanaramaya, is the largest in Sri Lanka, initially its height was 122 meters, but over time it decreased to 71 meters.
Dagoba Jetavanaramaya was built at the end of the 3rd century by King Mahasena (273 - 303) and later completed by his son, King Sirimegavanna I. 93 million bricks were used to build a giant stupa, it was built on a rock, on a foundation 8.5 meters deep. Each side of the base on which the stupa is built is 176 meters long, the length of the stairs leading to it is 9 meters.
It is believed that the Jetavanarama Dagoba was erected on the site of the cremation of Mahinda Thero, the man who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka.
Like all other buildings in Anuradhapura, this too was destroyed by Indian invaders in the 9-10th centuries. After the fall of the kingdom of Anuradhapura, the stupa was abandoned and quickly covered with jungle.
In the 12th century, during the reign of King Parakramabahu the Great, the stupa was rebuilt from the ruins, but its height was reduced to its current value.
Jetavanaramaya / Patimagara image houses
(Jethawanaramaya Image House / Patimaghara)
On the 48 hectares of Jetavana Monastery, west of the Jethawanaramaya Dagoba, is the vaulted Jethawanaramaya Image House, also called Patimaghara.
It is believed that the building was built by King Sena I in the 9th century and then destroyed during the capture of the north of the island by the Indian kingdom of Chola in the 10th century. Subsequently, the House of the Image was restored by the Sinhalese kings already during the decline of the kingdom of Anuradhapura.
The Jetavanaramaya image house is the largest found in the ancient cities of Anuradhapura or Polonnaruwa.
Previously, the entrance to the building was closed by a monolithic door supported by stone pillars 8 meters high, and in the House of the Buddha Image itself there was a massive limestone statue 11 meters high and 25 Buddhist relics. The building was calculated to be 15 meters high. Subsequently, in Polonnaruwa, in the likeness of the Jetavanaramaya Image House, the vaulted buildings (gedige) of Tuparam, Lankatilaka and Tivanka were erected.
Dagoba Mirisavetiya
(Mirisavetiya Stupa)
Dagoba Mirisavetiya was built during the reign of King Datugemunu in the 2nd century BC, the building belongs to the Maha Vihara complex. The diameter of the base of the stupa is 43 meters and the height is 59 meters.
The name of the stupa is explained by a popular Sinhalese legend: when King Datugemunu, after his coronation, was going to the water festival in Tissaveva, he left his scepter (Kunt) in this place, inside which a sacred relic was laid. Then the king returned for the scepter, which seemed to be stuck and no one could budge it.
Then the king remembered that he had broken the tradition before, forgetting to offer the monks a chowder of chili pepper (Miris) before trying it himself. In those days, it was a common practice to give some of the food that is prepared in the palace to the priests before the king can taste it. Seeing the miracle and remembering his wrongdoing, the king ordered to build a stupa on this place and name it Mirisavetiya (stupa of pepper soup).
Dagoba was rebuilt in the 1980s, but the entire structure collapsed in 1987, destroying one of the finest examples of Vahalkada architectural gables from the Anuradhapura era. Dagobah Mirisavetiya, observed now, was completed in 1993, but in the process of restoration it lost all the historical features of the original.
Dagoba Lankarama
(Lankarama Stupa)
Lankarama Stupa (Lankaramaya) is located on the territory ancient city, south of the elephant pond. Dagoba Lankaramaya was built in the 1st century BC. King Walagamba. The diameter of the Lankaram stupa is 14 meters, and the diameter of the base is 406 m, the height of the base is 3 m.
The stupa is surrounded by the remains of 88 stone pillars that supported the roof of the building, which has not been preserved until now. During its history, the stupa has undergone reconstruction, its shape was previously unknown. Dagoba, built in Medirigiriya near Polonnaruwa, was erected in the same architectural style as the Lankarama stupa.
Dagoba Lankarama is located 400 meters from the Abhayagiri monastery, its ancient name is Silasobbha Khandaka Cetiya.
The place is named so because after being defeated by the Tamil invaders in 103 BC. the Sinhalese king Valagamba hid from enemies in a place called "Silasobbha Khandaka". After defeating the Tamil invaders and liberating the country in the same year, returning the throne, he built the Lankaram stupa on this site.
Dagoba Abhayagiri
(Abhayagiri Stupa)
The stupa was built in the 1st century BC. by the Sinhalese king Valagamba. The Abhayagiri Stupa is the second tallest stupa in Sri Lanka.
According to the descriptions of the Chinese monk Fa-Xian in the fifth century, the height of the stupa was 122 meters, its outer surface was decorated with gold, silver and jewelry. Also on this site was a 6m high Buddha statue made of green jade. The upper superstructure above the dome, called hatharas kotuwa, has been preserved since ancient times.
According to the chronicles, after King Valagambahu ascended the throne in 104 BC, only seven months later the Tamil invasion of ancient Sri Lanka took place through the port of Mantota. Port by port, city by city, Tamils were conquering territory. The Sinhalese army was defeated and was forced to retreat quickly, while the Tamil king seized his wife Valagambah and several relics and took them to India. King Walagambahu was forced to hide in the jungle, where the Tamils could not find him.
At this time, a Jain monk resided in the place where Dagoba Abhayagiri stands today. When the king was leaving the territory of Anuradhapura, passing through the gate, a Jain monk named Gehri shouted insultingly: "Look how the great Sinhalese king flees away!" The king ignored this comment, but when he returned to Anuradhapura, 14 years after defeating the invaders, he did not forget about the incident.
The king completely destroyed this hermitage and in its place erected a massive stupa and 12 buildings and offered it to Mahatisa Thero. The stupa was named Abhayagiri, after the two parties to the conflict - the names "Abhaya" (the name of the king) and "Geri" (the Jain monk). Later, Abhayagiri Vihara became the rival of Mahavihara. The monks of the Mahavihara monastery were followers of Theravada Buddhism, and the monks at the same time Abhayagiri followed the principles of the Theravada and Mahayana teachings.
Ratna Prasadaya Palace
(Rathna Prasadaya)
The Ratna Prasada / Prasadaya Palace was built in the 2nd century by the Sinhalese king Kanitta Tissa (167 - 186). The name Ratna Prasadaya is translated from Sinhalese as "Palace of Treasures".
Once the Ratna Prasadaya Palace was a multi-storey building, its size can be judged by the remains of the columns that supported the vaults of the building.
In the 8th century, King Mahinda II restored the building to several floors and decorated it with many Buddha statues made of gold. However, all these treasures were plundered during the invasion of the South Indian Pandyan Empire during the reign of King Seine I (833-853).
Subsequently, the palace of jewels was rebuilt by King Sena II (853-887), who returned the treasures to it. Then the Ratna Prasadaya building was restored by the Sinhalese king Mahinda IV in the 10th century.
The protective stone, designed to preserve the treasures of the palace, has survived to this day. Located at the inner entrance to the building, it is one of the finest examples of stone carving during the era of the Kingdom of Anuradhapura.
Kuttam Pokuna Pond
(Kuttam Pokuna)
The Kuttam Pokuna ponds are an ancient engineering marvel. The actual builders of the structure are unknown, it is assumed that the ponds were built during the reign of King Aggabodhi I at the turn of the 6th and 7th centuries.
The Kuttam Pokuna ponds were used by the monks of the Abhayagiri monastery for ablutions. The pond walls are made of carved granite slabs.
Translated from the Sinhalese language, "Kuttam Pokuna" means "Twin Ponds". The first was the northern pond (small), over time, a second larger pond was added to it.
The dimensions of the small northern pond Kuttam Pokuna are 28 * 15.5 meters, the depth is 4 meters. The dimensions of the southern (large) pond are 40 * 16 meters, the depth is 5.5 meters.
The water in the ponds was supplied through an underground water supply system and filtered, consisting of four levels, before entering the pond through a pipe stylized as a dragon's head. Then the water from both ponds was drained into one channel and then used to irrigate the fields.
Samadhi Buddha Statue
(Samadhi Statue)
A statue of Buddha in a state of Samadhi is located in the ancient Mahamevnāwa Park. The Samadhi statue is considered one of the finest sculptures of the era of the Kingdom of Anuradhapura. It is believed that the Samadhi statue was created during the 3rd or 4th century.
The cross-legged Buddha statue in Dhyana mudra meditation with open palms laid one on top of the other is made of dolomite marble. The ancient statue is 2.2 meters high.
In 1886, this statue was found in the same place where it is at the moment, fallen, its nose was damaged. After that, the statue was re-installed, and the nose was reconstructed.
In 1914, the statue was again damaged by treasure hunters and rebuilt again. The eyes of the statue are currently hollow, indicating that they were previously adorned with crystals or precious stones. It is not known whether this statue was brought from another monastery or whether it was originally here.
It is believed that if you look at the statue from three different sides, then looking from the right and left sides, her face will express sadness, and if you look at the statue from the right, then her face smiles slightly.
Sites of the ancient city of Anuradhapura
Lake Tissa Veva
(Tissa Wewa)
The ancient man-made reservoir Tissa Veva was built by the Sinhalese king Devanampyatissa, who ruled the country in the 3rd century BC. The dimensions of the embankment, erected to form the ancient reservoir, are impressive: the embankment is 3.4 km long and 7.5 meters high.
The surface area of the Tissa Veva reservoir is 2.2 km2. The purpose of creating such a voluminous reservoir, according to the ancient Sinhalese chronicle of the Mahavamsa, was to feed the gardens and parks located in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, as well as irrigate the surrounding rice fields during the dry period.
The man-made lake Tissa Veva receives water through ancient structure Jaya Ganga is a canal that connects the reservoir and the Kala Veva River. Excess water from the reservoir is discharged into the Malvathu Oya River.
According to archaeologists, the ancient Tissa Veva reservoir was built so reliably that even after 1,200 years it can supply water to the already modern city of Anuradhapura.
Lake Nuwara Veva
(Nuwara Wewa)
The ancient reservoir Nuwara Veva is the largest of the three man-made reservoirs of Anuradhapura. Nuwara Veva translates as "City Lake".
The exact time of the construction of the reservoir is unknown. Presumably it was built in the 1st century BC. NS. King Vattagamini Abaya.
According to historians, the original structure of the embankment was made of bricks used in the construction of Abhayagiri Dagoba. The embankment was renovated in the 3rd and 5th centuries.
The surface area of the Nuwara Veva reservoir is 31.8 square kilometers, and a dam and a canal on the Malvathu Oya River was used to fill it. The dam existed until 1873, when construction began. road bridge across the river.
The water depth in the channel connecting the lake and the river is 1.2 meters, the depth of the reservoir is 45 meters at the dam. The canal is currently being used to divert excess water from Nuwara Veva back to the river during floods.
Isurumuniya shrine
(Isurumuniya)
The ancient Buddhist temple of Isurumuniya is located on the banks of the Tissa Wewa reservoir. The temple was founded by King Devanampiya Tissa in the late 4th century. BC. The temple was formerly known as Meghagiri Vihara. The temple is known for its unusual stone carvings, made in different architectural styles, depicting different subjects:
- Isurumuni Lovers carving
The carving was created presumably in the 6th century. in the Gupta style, he shows a man and a woman sitting on his lap, according to one of the versions personifying King Kuvera Vaisrawana and his Queen Kuni, according to another god Shiva and his wife Parvati, according to the third scene it captured Prince, son of King Datugemunu, who renounced the throne to marry a lower-class girl.
- carving Royal Family
The carving was created presumably in the 8th century, the work was carried out in the architectural tradition of Gupta Kala; The image carved on a granite slab includes 5 human figures, with King Dutugamunu supposedly depicting in the center of the composition.
- carving Elephant Pond
The carving was supposedly created in the 7th century, made in the Pallavian tradition. The image captures the bathing of elephants, but what is remarkable is that the images of the elephants correspond to the images in the stone carvings in Mamallapuram in southern India.
The Isurumuniya Temple is the first site in Sri Lanka where the tooth of the Buddha was placed upon arrival on the island. The stupa near the temple and the Buddha statue inside it are modern. some of the caves near the temple used to serve as a refuge for monks, but now there are many bats living there.
Ransimalakaya temple
(Ransimalakaya)
Across the road from the bronze palace of Lovamahapaya are the ruins of Ransimalakaya. Between the sacred tree of Sri Maha Bodhi and the huge dagoba Ruvanveliseya is a section of ruins with towering stone pillars.
The site was surveyed by archaeologists of the Royal Asiatic Society, who unearthed the foundation of a building there, first excavating it in 1895.
The current ruins of the building indicate that it was an open building with no walls, and its roof, which has not survived to this day, was previously supported by 8 rows of 10 granite pillars.
Few of these pillars can be seen today. The building can be entered through four entrances located on each side of the building.
According to the Department of Archeology of Sri Lanka, this building was used as a conference room by the monks of Maha Vihara in the Middle Ages. The body of Maha Mahinda Thero was kept in the same building before cremation.
Ruins of the Toluvila complex
(Toluwila Ruins)
The ruins of the Toluvila Buddhist complex are located next to railway station Anuradhapura, outside the boundaries of the ancient city. The Toluvila complex is believed to have been part of the Pabbatha Vihara.
The estimated time of the construction of the monastery of the Toluvila complex is between the 7th and 9th centuries.
According to the chronicles, in Toluville in the 3rd century BC. Mahinda Thero (the man who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka) stayed during his pilgrimage from Chathiya Pabbatha to Maha Vihara.
In the house of the image of Toluvila, a statue of Buddha sitting in the Samadhi position, considered the most elaborate of its kind in Sri Lanka, was discovered and taken to the National Museum of Sri Lanka, located in Colombo.
The house of the Buddha image, located on a hill, is surrounded by a large number of remains of outbuildings, made in a unique architectural style, and the Toluvila complex itself is surrounded by a moat.
Ruins of the Temple of the Tooth Relic of Buddha Daladag
(Dalada Maligawa / Daladage)
To the northeast of the Vijayabahu royal palace are the ruins of the ancient Maha Pali complex, the temple of the tooth of Buddha Dalada Ge and two Houses of the Buddha image with the domed roof of Gedige. All four buildings are located 50 meters apart.
The ruins of the building known as Daladage are believed to be the remains of the structure of the temple of the Buddha's tooth, built by the Sinhalese king Mahinda IV in the 10th century after the defeat of the Sinhalese army from the South Indian Chola empire and the transfer of the northern part of the island to their control.
The remains of the Temple of the Tooth Relic of Buddha Daladage stand on a four-sided building measuring 60x65 meters. The temple consists of a large building with wide compartments on three sides (of four) and two small auxiliary buildings that have practically disappeared to the northwest and northeast of the temple.
The main entrance to the Daladage building is in the center on the north side of the temple. The inscription over its entrance, made during the reign of Mahinda IV, allowed archaeologists to identify the purpose of the premises.
Et Pokuna's elephant pond
(Eth Pokuna)
Not far from the Lankaramaya stupa, there is an ancient irrigation miracle - the huge artificial pond Et Pokuna. The name of the pond is translated from Sinhalese as "Elephant Pond".
Et Pokuna Pond is the largest pond not only on the territory of Abhayagiri, but also on the territory of the ancient city of Anuradhapura.
The dimensions of the ancient pond Et Pokuna are quite impressive: its length is 159 meters, and its width is 52.7 meters. Et Pokuna Pond is 9.5 meters deep and holds 75,000 cubic meters of water.
Water to Et pokuna pond is supplied from the Periyamkulama reservoir through a network of underground canals. Visitors to this day can still see parts of the plumbing system that supplies the pond.
The water supply canals were made of stone blocks by ancient craftsmen. Previously, the pond was used by the monks of the Abhayagiri monastery for bathing and other daily needs, their number at that time exceeded 5,000 people.
Ruins of the Mahapali complex
(Mahapali Alms Hall)
The Mahapali Hall of Mercy was supposedly built by King Devanampyatissa in the 3rd century BC. and was subsequently expanded by other kings who ruled during the period of the kingdom of Anuradhapura.
The ruins of the Mahapali complex are located to the north of the Vijayabahu I palace, their area is 0.5 hectares. The massive granite columns that previously supported the roof of the Maha Pali Hall have survived to this day.
After the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC, the island became one of the largest centers of Buddhism in the world.
In the cities of ancient Sri Lanka, thousands of monks lived, providing them with food was the responsibility of the king, and so the halls of mercy (Alms hall) appeared - a place for monks supplied with food.
One of the main attractions of the place is a deep well that supplied water to the buildings of the Mahapali complex. The walls of the well are made of granite and bricks, the steps located along the perimeter of the square well allow you to descend to the water.
Gedige Temple
(Gedige)
The temple with the once-vaulted dome of Gedige is located on the territory of the Maha Pali complex. The Gedige building (can also be called Gedi Ge) is a brick structure, outwardly more or less similar to the house of the Buddha image.
Gedige is considered the sanctuary of the Mahayana tradition, which preached tantra, because of which they had a conflict with the Theravada followers, which ended in a complete victory of the latter. The history of construction and the time of creation of this building are unknown.
Gedige and the Maha Pali Buddha Image House are the only known Image Houses in Anuradhapura that are entirely made of brickwork, with only the door and window frame made of granite.
Previously, the building of the House of the Buddha Image was decorated with a vaulted dome, stone stairs led to the second floor, and a sanctuary was located inside. Gedige covers an area of 10 sq. meters, Buddha Image House 11 sq. meters.
Mayur Piriven Training Center
(Mayura Pirivena)
This training center is one of the main training centers belonging to the Maha Viharaya complex during the era of the Kingdom of Anuradhapura. The Mayur Pirivena Training Center was built by King Buddhadasa in the 4th century.
Today, the building of Mayur Pirivena is completely destroyed, only the foundation with several pillars that previously supported the roof remained from the building.
The Mayur Pirivena Training Center is considered the place where Granthakara Pirivena was also located, where the Indian Buddhist monk Buddhagosha Tera was engaged in the compilation of commentaries on the Theravada sacred texts in the 5th century. While in India and finding a text for which the commentary on the Tripitaka had been lost, Buddhagosha went to Sri Lanka to study the Sinhalese commentary, which at that time was preserved in the Maha Vihara monastery in Anuradhapura. There Buddhagosha began to study a large volume of commentaries that had been collected and preserved by the monks of Maha Vihara.
The interpretations provided by the Buddhagosha have usually constituted an orthodox understanding of the Theravada sacred texts since at least the 12th century. The works of Buddhagosha have been recognized by Western scholars and Theravada monks as the most important commentaries of Theravada. Buddhagosha described the Mayur Piriven center as "located in beautiful place comfortable, cool and with sufficient water supply. "
Vessagiria monastery
(Vessagiriya)
The ancient forest monastery is located on the territory of the ancient city of Anguradhapura, a couple of hundred meters south of the Isurumuniya temple, on the Anuradhapura-Kurunegala road. The place can also be called Issarasamanarama. The monastery is located among huge stone boulders.
Vessagiriya Buddhist monastery was founded in the 3rd century BC. and expanded in the 5th century during the reign of King Kasyapa, it was home to up to 500 people.
At the moment, only the remains of 23 stone caves are observed in this area. Now the visitor can see only stones, because all other structural elements were made of fragile materials and have not survived.
Inscriptions in the Brahmi language, one of the oldest writing systems, have been found in natural stone shelters that sheltered the monks. Archaeologists also found the ruins of a building with a round foundation, the purpose of which is unknown; during excavations, 70 rare coins were found there. On the territory you can contemplate the remains of the buildings of the refectory for monks and several dagobas.
Vijayabahu Royal Palace I
(Vijayabahu I Royal Palace)
The Royal Palace is located southwest across the road from the Maha Pali complex. The palace was built by the Sinhalese king Vijayabahu I (1055 - 1110) in the 11th century during the era of the kingdom of Anuradhapura.
In 1070, the Sinhalese king overthrew the South Indian invaders from the Chola empire who ruled the kingdom, and after a military campaign that lasted 18 years, unified the country. After the victory over the Chola, the Sinhalese king re-established Buddhism, which had been practically destroyed during the Tamil rule, and rebuilt ancient infrastructure and irrigation projects.
During the reign of the king, the capital was the city of Anuradhapura, but after celebrating his consecration to the monarchs, the king moved the capital of the country to the city of Polonnaruwa.
It is believed that the building of the royal palace was used for official celebrations and ceremonies. The building is 39 meters wide and 66 meters long.
Two massive security stones at the entrance to the building depict "Sankhanihi" and "Padmanidhi" - the servants of the god Kubera. Remnants of ancient plaster can still be observed on the walls of the palace.
Sangamitta stupa
(Sangamittha Stupa)
The Sangamitta red brick stupa is located 150 meters east of the famous Tuparamaya Dagoba. The ancient stupa was presumably named after the daughter of the Indian Emperor Ashoka, Sangamiththa Theri.
The emperor's daughter arrived in Sri Lanka in 249 BC, bringing with her to the island a branch of the original sacred tree, Sri Maha Bodhi.
The princess made her way to the neighboring country with her brother Mahinda Thero, who is the man who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka. Arriving on the island, the son and daughter of Emperor Ashoka devoted their lives to spreading Buddhist teachings in the country and are still revered as the founders of Buddhism.
In ancient chronicles, it is mentioned that the Sinhalese king Uttiya laid the ashes of the arhat Sangamitta Teri in a small dagoba to the east of the Tuparama stupa. Archaeologists suggest that it was about the Sangamitta stupa.
Dakkin stupa
(Dakkhina Tupa Stupa)
Ruin ancient temple apparently unfinished, located south of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple complex and the Mayur Piriven training center.
The name of the place translated from Sinhalese means "Southern Monastery", it is considered the place of cremation of several Sinhalese kings.
This site was designated as a Dhakkhina stupa by Professor Paranavitana in 1946. According to the ancient chronicles of Sri Lanka, at the place where the cremation of the Sinhalese king Datugemunu, who ruled in the 2nd century BC, was carried out. the Dhaka stupa was erected.
Initially, after the cremation of the king, the volume of the dagoba was much smaller, but over the course of history it was rebuilt several times and over time reached its present size.
Next to the stupa, there are exquisitely carved stone pillars depicting Vaisravana and Kalpawruksha.
Nakha Vihara Temple
(Nakha Vihara)
The Nakha Temple belongs to a unique kind of square brick buildings, being one of four similar unusual buildings found in Sri Lanka.
The building of the temple was built presumably during the period of the Anuradhapura kingdom in the range of 7-10 centuries. and belongs to the Mahayana tradition.
The size of the base of the temple is 9x9 m, next to the Naka temple, the ruins of the House of the Buddha image were found, but the object has not survived to our time.
Excavations carried out by archaeologists in the area of the Naka Temple revealed the presence of several layers of clay plaster, which presumably indicates that the building, before it was abandoned, was active and inhabited for a long time.
The Nakha Temple is rarely visited by tourists, the most popular of the four is the brick building of Satmahal Prasad in Polonnaruwa, the other two are located in Anuradhapura on the territory of the Abhayagiri monastery.
Ruins of Dagoba Padalanchan / Power of Chetiya
(Padalanchana Chethiya / Sila Chethiya)
Fifty meters from the famous Tuparama stupa are the ruins of a small ancient dagoba Padalanchana Chetiya. The place is also called Sila Chethiya, Kujjatissa or Digha Stupa.
The stupa is an archaeological site with features late period Kingdom of Anuradhapura, which probably indicates that it was rebuilt or rebuilt.
Sila Chetiya is one of 16 major places of worship in Sri Lanka called Solosmasthana. Dagoba was built at the beginning of the 2nd century. BC. king of Lagnatissa.
According to the Sinhalese chronicles of Mahavamsa, Dipavamsa and Mahabothivamsa, Buddha left his mark on the site of the Padalanchana stupa during his third visit to Sri Lanka.
According to Mahavamsa, it is also believed that this place is one of four where all Buddhas (Kakusanndha, Konagamana, Kassapa and Gauthama Buddha) once came to the island and left their footprints before leaving it.
Ruins of the pavilions of Padanagar
(Padanagara)
Two sites, called the Padanagar Pavilions, are located west of Abhayagiri Monastery, away from other ancient structures.
The granite base of the building was erected on a cliff.
The pavilions are located outside the ancient city of Anuradhapura and were used by monks, presumably for meditations and retreats.
The structure of the pavilions is surrounded by a moat. The building, over the ruins of which there are rows of stone pillars, is devoid of any decorations and ornaments, except for a small number of them near the stone toilet building, located to the right of the pavilion.
The first pavilion of Padanagar is smaller than the second. Both pavilions are equipped with ancient aqueducts, with aquifers running under the foundations of the ancient structure, and stone toilets.
Ranmasu Uyana / Magul Uyana Park
(Ranmasu / Magul Uyana)
Even before the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century. BC. parks were a common part of urban planning. The founder of the park, Ranmasu Uyana, is unknown.
It is believed that the park was built as an alternative to the parks that existed earlier and given by King Devanampyatissa with the advent of Buddhism to the island, the monastic community (Sangha).
According to an inscription found in the ancient monastery of Vessagiriya, water for the needs of the park came from the Tissa River and then was distributed over the fields in the area of the Isurumuniya temple.
There are several small ponds in the park, where goldfish swam and lotuses bloomed earlier. The stone framing of the ponds is decorated with traditional carvings depicting bathing elephants.
The ancient park of Ranmasu Uyana is located on an area of 16 hectares. The park is an excellent example of ancient Sri Lankan park architecture from the pre-Christian era. The "star gate" Sakwala Chakraya is located on the territory of the park.
Petroglyphs of Sakwala Chakraya
(Sakwala Chakraya)
In Ranmasu Uyana Park, an ancient drawing called the Sakwala Chakraya or Bawa Chakraya is depicted on a large boulder.
The creator, purpose and time of the creation of the petroglyph are unknown.
One of the assumptions is that the image represents the oldest existing map of the world: cosmographic graphs of the universe or "map of the worlds", described in ancient Buddhist texts.
According to another theory, Sakwala Chakraya is a kind of stargate, similar to those found in Peru near Lake Titicaca and in the Abu Sir pyramid complex.
The kingdom of Anuradhapura existed from about 400 BC. before the beginning of the second millennium, however, there is a version that the age of this artifact is at least 5000 years, and belongs to the period of the reign of King Ravana.
Weather in Anuradhapura
The best time to visit Anuradhapura is from January to September inclusive - at this time the city receives the least rainfall, the weather is favorable for walking tours of the ancient city.
The high season for visiting Anuradhapura is from June to September, the driest time of the year. The rainiest months, the rainy season in Anuradhapura, are October, November and December influenced by the northeast monsoon.
Throughout the year, the air temperature in the city is stable and changes insignificantly with the seasons: night air temperatures fluctuate within +21 С +24 С; daytime air temperatures are in the range from +29 C to +34 C.
Tiny Mihintale is considered the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It was here in the 3rd century BC. the first Buddhist monastery appeared and the missionary activity of Mahinda began - in honor of him, Mount Mikhintale is also called Mount Mahinda.
Over time, the monastery grew, gained influence, and until the 13th century was the third largest monastery complex in Sri Lanka. For centuries, stupas have been erected here (there were more than 60), and some are quite large.
Today Mihintale is rightly considered sacred and visited by pilgrims. This is a working temple: a calm and majestic place, numerous stupas and other ancient structures discreetly, but perfectly fit into the landscape. In one of the oldest stupas there are the remains of Mahinda, on the mountain there is also a large statue of Buddha.
Coordinates: 8.35027500,80.51811200
Bo tree
The Bo tree (or sacred ficus) is one of the oldest trees in the world. It is difficult to imagine its age - 23 centuries. The centuries-old mass grew from a seedling taken from a tree in Budha Goya, Nepal, under which Buddha attained enlightenment. For this reason, of course, the tree is a kind of shrine for all followers of Buddhism.
The scion was brought from Nepal to the island in the 3rd century BC by the nun Sangamitta, daughter of the Indian emperor Ashoka, and found its place in the royal park of Anuradhapura.
It would seem that such an old tree should be very large. But the sacred Bo itself is small, its venerable old age is supported by special props. But the neighboring protective tree is impressively huge.
As befits a shrine, Bo's tree surrounded by a golden fence is carefully guarded. You can't just approach him like that. But after passing the protective cordons, near the tree, you can freeze in awe and, if you're lucky, pick up a fallen leaf in memory of the pilgrimage.
Coordinates: 8.34433100,80.39734800
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Jetavanarama stupa
Jetavanarama is a unique monastery complex created by King Mahasena in 276-303. During the dawn of the monastery, about 3000 monks were housed on its territory, which occupied an area of 48 hectares. On the central platform of the complex is the Jetavana Stupa, which rises to 120 m and is the tallest brick structure ever built by man. In the IV century AD, during the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Jetavanarama stupa was the third largest structure in the world, second only to the pyramids of Chephren and Cheops in Giza. The structure has massive brickwork, which goes down to 14 meters deep, so that the weight of the monument falls entirely on the bedrock.
Another uniqueness of the stupa is that it is a perfect circle and contains particles of the physical remains of the Buddha. The site where the structure stands was known in antiquity as the Nandana Gardens. It was here that Arahat Mahinda read a sermon for 7000 people for 7 days. "Jetavanarama stupa" was erected over the imprint of the foot of the Buddha, 93.3 million bricks were used for its construction.
Coordinates: 8.35176200,80.40372100
The Museum of Money at the Central Bank with its collections can compete with the history museum, because it is in the coins of their kingdoms that the history of Sri Lanka is reflected. Here you can trace all the stages of the country's development from colonial times, when the territory was under the rule of first Portugal, and then Holland and Britain, to the present day. The exhibits from the collections of the money museum are recognized as the oldest in the region.
The museum was established in April 1982 to house the complete collection of the country's numismatics. But over time, the exhibits became more and more, they covered wider time periods and the collection was divided into four thematic expositions: "Ancient period", "Medieval period", "Colonial period" and "The period of independence since the creation of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. ".
In the first two, you can find the oldest coins that were in circulation in Sri Lanka. They were called Kahapana and date back to the 3rd century BC. They were of the most varied forms and were made mainly of silver. The kahavanu gold coins did not appear on the island until four centuries later. The first foreign coins appeared with the development of navigation and trade. On the territory of Sri Lanka, many coins of Greek, Indo-Greek, Roman, Chinese and Arab origin have been found.
Coordinates: 6.93427600,79.84226900
Twin Pools Kutam Pokuna
Kutam Pokuna Pools (Twin Pools) - Ancient Pools Of the ancient world of great hydrological, engineering, architectural and artistic value. The pools were intended for the bathing of Buddhist monks.
The pools were built in the 8th century in the kingdom of Andradhapura. In fact, the pools are not twins, because the first is 28 meters long, and the second is 40 meters.
The pools are carved from granite slabs that cover the bottom and walls. They are also led by stepped walls in the form of shelves, on which, when bathing, the monks put pots for ablution and other objects.
The pools are distinguished by a unique water purification system: before entering the pool, the water passes through a series of depressions next to the structure, and all the mud settles at the bottom. The pools are connected to each other by means of a pipeline.
Coordinates: 8.37110200,80.40159700
Abhayagiri stupa
The stupa in Anuradhapura is the second tallest building in the Ancient World, built in the 1st century BC by King Watt Gamini Abhaya. The height of the stupa is over 112 meters.
In front of the entrance to the stupa, there are two stone statues, which are considered the guardians of the god Kuvera. The name of the stupa consists of two names - the name of King Abhay and the name of Jain, known as Giri. The stupa houses an interesting library of the Ancient World, which even foreign scholars interested in studying Buddhism tend to visit.
It is believed that the stupa is decorated with gold, silver and precious stones.
Near the stupa, a monastery of the same name was built, in which 5,000 monks once lived. They worshiped a statue of Buddha made of green jade.
Coordinates: 8.37101700,80.39550300
The most popular attractions in Anuradhapura with descriptions and photos for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places Anuradhapura on our website.
The history of the founding of the city is lost over the centuries. According to one of the versions, after the South Indian prince Vijaya came to the island, among his seven hundred companions there was a man named Anuradha, who founded a small village. The village was named after him, and over time, the small settlement turned into a large one. According to another legend, the city was named after a star in the constellation Scorpio - Anuradha. Which theory to choose, everyone can decide for himself, but one thing will remain unchanged. Anuradhapura is a holy city and ancient capital of Sri Lanka for 1500 years. Every year thousands of believers make pilgrimages to holy places.
The period when Anuradhapura directly became the capital of the kingdom began with King Pandukabay, who established the city as the capital in 380 BC. NS. To the west of the city, he built the Basawa Kulam reservoir to supply water to the city's growing population, established a sewage system, laid out parks, and built palaces.
Judging by the old chronicles and preserved monuments, Anuradhapura was built according to a certain plan. Four city gates were oriented to the cardinal points, and the defensive walls surrounding the city were already in the 1st century. BC. reached a height of about 2 meters. In the II century. BC. the walls of Anuradhapura were built on and supplemented with watchtowers. Ancient Anuradhapura consisted of an inner city, which formed the royal palace and the most important religious buildings, and the outer city that grew later. Adjacent to the inner city was a park that King Devanampiyatissa donated to the Buddhist community. It should be noted that during the heyday, the territory of Anuradhapura exceeded 12 km. in diameter, and it was home to more than 300,000 people.
Due to its location, Anuradhapura was a very vulnerable city for foreign invaders. She was constantly attacked and periodically influenced by the kings of the Indian dynasties. One such Indian ruler was the Tamil prince Elara, who came from South India in 205 BC. He managed to retain power on the island for 44 years until he grew up the little Prince named Dutugamunu, who decided to expel the Indian invaders from Sri Lanka. His confrontation with Prince Elara lasted about 15 years, however, in 161 BC. the victory remained with Dutugamunu.
The Indian Cholov army, which came at the end of the 10th century, under the leadership of Prince Rajarai the Great, destroyed Anurahdapura, but after their overthrow in 1070, the city was rebuilt. The capital of the island, transferred by the Cholami to Polonnaruwa, was left there. People slowly left Anuradhapura, which was eventually abandoned and swallowed up by the jungle, until 1980, when, under the patronage of the UNESCO world organization, which recorded the ruins of Anuradhapura on the World Heritage List, a comprehensive restoration of the ruins of the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka began.
Anuradhapura is undoubtedly one of the most attractive destinations for both pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. Like many centuries ago, monks and Buddhist believers come here. Students and schoolchildren often come to the ancient capital to once again remember their great history and better understand the present.
Built around two huge boulders below the Tissaveva reservoir, created by King Devanampiyatissa, the temple was part of the oldest monastic complex, founded in the 3rd century. BC, which includes a Buddhist temple in the rock, with a statue of a reclining Buddha, a pond and bas-reliefs of elephants carved into the rock, preserved in their original form. Some of the sculptures remained in their places, but some of them were moved to a specially created nearby museum.
One of these famous bas-reliefs is the image of a girl kneeling by her beloved warrior. The work dates back to the 5th century. According to the local, this depicts the son of King Dutugamunu, Salia, and his beloved Asokamala, a girl from the lower caste of the "untouchables", for the sake of which Salia renounced the throne.
On the shores of Lake Tissa is Mirisaveti Dagoba, built of red brick with a broken edge on top. This stupa was built under King Dutugamunu. According to legend, the ruler went for a swim, stuck in the ground a symbol of power - the royal yoke with the relics of Buddha. At the end of the bathing, the king, with all his strength, could not pull the yoke out of the ground and, considering this as a sign, ordered to lay a dagoba in this place. The work was carried out for about 3 years, and the height of the stupa reached 60 meters, but in the 10th century it was rebuilt.
To the right from the oldest reservoir Basavakkulam, built during the reign of King Pandukabay in the 4th century. BC, with an area of about 120 hectares, one of the most ancient and revered stupas of Sri Lanka - Ruvanvalisaya, founded, according to legend, by King Dutagamunu in the II century BC in honor of his victory over the Indian prince Elara, opens up. However, unfortunately, the king did not live to see the completion of the construction. Ruvanvelisaya is also called the White Stupa or Mahatupa, which is translated from Sinhalese means the Great Stupa, although it is only the third largest of all the stupas of ancient Anuradhapura and soars 55 meters in height.
The stupa was built on a foundation of golden gravel and is, as it were, on a pedestal, on the outer wall of which 400 elephants standing shoulder to shoulder are carved. The meaning of these elephants is explained in two ways. On the one hand, elephants support the platform on which the dagoba stands, as if supporting the earth in accordance with Buddhist cosmology. On the other hand, they say that the elephants simply helped in the construction of the stupa and this is a tribute to the memory of the stately workers. Unfortunately, after repeated restorations begun in 1893, the stupa lost its original shape.
If you walk clockwise around Ruvanvelisai, you will see a modern sanctuary where five statues of the standing Buddha are located. Four of them, made of limestone, date back to the 8th century and symbolize the four incarnations of Buddha on earth, and the fifth modern statue symbolizes the future Buddha and is crowned with a tiara, and holds a lotus flower in his hand. Continuing around Ruvanvelisai, you will see a statue facing the dagoba. According to legend, this is the figure of King Datugamunu himself, built by his son Siddatissa, who completed the construction of his father's stupa and erected his statue so that he could enjoy his magnificent creation. A small model of the original Ruvanvelisaya stupa can be seen nearby.
One of the shrines revered by Buddhists around the world, the Bo or Bodhi tree. It is reputed to be the oldest plant on earth, and its age is about 2250 years. The tree grew from a seedling taken from the Buddha tree in India, under which, according to legend, Prince Gautama attained enlightenment. The seedling was brought to the island by Princess Sangamitta, daughter of the Indian Emperor Ashoka and sister of Prince Mahinda, who brought the idea of Buddhism to Sri Lanka. The original tree has not survived, but the sacred offshoot in Anuradhapura is growing to this day, despite the fact that the city was regularly attacked and conquered by Indian invaders who destroyed the ancient capital. Numerous shoots of this Bo tree have been planted throughout Sri Lanka, as well as in many countries in Southeast Asia. Now the mighty branches of the tree growing at the top of the terrace are supported by special gilded iron supports that can be seen around. All visitors, when approaching the tree, should take off their headdress and shoes in accordance with the customs of Buddhism, which means respect for shrines.
To the right of the sacred Bodhi tree, you can see the Lohapasada Palace or "Bronze Palace", which is a strange and amazing structure, built by King Dutugamunu over 2000 years ago. The palace is a 9-storey building with 1000 rooms, the roof of which is supported by 1600 columns, about 4 meters high. In ancient times, all the columns were decorated with silver plates, and the roof of the palace building, reminiscent of a pyramid, was covered with bronze copper sheets, which gave it their name "bronze". Since the palace was built of wood, it was destroyed several times as a result of fires and was restored first up to the 7th floor, and after another fire in the 4th century only until the 5th. With the capture of Anuradhapura by the Indian Cholov army, the Bronze Palace was finally destroyed. The columns that have survived to this day were collected from the remains of more ancient buildings by King Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century.
At the exit from the Mahavihara monastery complex, consisting of the Bodhi tree, the Bronze Palace and Ruvanveli Dagobda, on the right is the Jetavanarama monastery, on the central platform of which a giant stupa rises, about 120 meters high. On June 4, 2009, Jetavan Dagoba was inaugurated for visiting and conducting Buddhist ceremonies. Work on the restoration of Dagoba began in 1981 and lasted for about 28 years. Dagoba is equipped with a special lighting system of lights, which allows illuminating the stupa during religious holidays.
According to the main Sri Lankan chronicle "Mahavamsa", King Mahasena built this huge Dagoba, 112 meters in diameter, out of red brick in the 3rd century BC. About 90 million bricks and a quarter of a century were spent on construction. The stupa is a perfect circle. It is known that in ancient times, on the site where the stupa was built, the Nandana Gardens were located, where for seven days Arahat Mahinda, the son of King Ashoka, who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka, read a sermon. Since then, the name Jetavana (changed from Jotyvan) has gone, literally meaning "the place where the rays of liberation shone." In the ancient records of the 13th century, it is said that a fragment of the sash with which the Buddha girded is immured in a stupa.
The original height of the stupa was about 160 meters, which made it the third tallest structure in the world after the famous pyramids at Giza. During the conservation and restoration work, it was discovered that the foundation of the stupa went more than 8.5 meters into the soil, and now the height of Jetavan Dagoba is 71 meters. However, it remains the largest stupa in the world, built entirely of brick.
To the west of the stupa is the house of the Buddha image. Judging by the preserved doorway 8 meters high, it was an impressive building.
Returning to the road leading past the Bassavakkulam reservoir, you can see the oldest dagoba of Anuradhapura - Tuparama, which literally means "stupa". The Tuparama Stupa is the first religious building of Anuradhapura and the first stupa built in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC. King Devanampiyatissa as a sign of his acceptance of Buddhism. Its height is only about 19 meters, and inside is a particle of the Buddha's right collarbone. In the 6th and 13th centuries, the stupa was completed and even covered with a wooden roof, of which only the numerous columns that supported it remained. The stupa that you can see today was restored and faced with white marble in 1862.
In the northern part of Anuradhapura, the Abyagiri monastery is located, which covers an area of about 235 hectares. The monastery was built in the 1st century. BC. King Walagambahu for a group of monks expelled for heresy from the Mahavihara monastery, who created a new trend of Mahayana Buddhism, which was more liberal, in contrast to the traditional strict Theravada teachings. In the center of the monastery is the Abyagiri stupa, built by King Hajabahu. In the 12th century, King Parakramabahu completed the dagoba to a height of 115 meters, which made it the second tallest dagoba of the ancient capital, but today the height of the stupa does not exceed 75 meters. According to legend, the stupa was built over the footprint of the Buddha.
Samadhi Buddha statue in meditation posture. The statue was carved from limestone in the 4th century and according to legend, the eyes of the statue were made from natural stones. Those who want to get closer should take off their shoes and hats.
The unique structure of the Abyagiri monastery is the Gemini pools, built in the 8th century by monks. In fact, the pools cannot be considered twins because one of them is 28 meters long, and the other is 40. The uniqueness of the pools lies in the water purification system, which, before entering the pool, passes through a series of small depressions to the right of the structure, where mud settles to the bottom. and clean water enters the smaller pool through an opening topped by a dilapidated lion's head. A stone statue of a snake next to it symbolizes good luck. The two pools are connected by a small-diameter pipeline.
Traveler
Entrance fee: $ 25 / 12.5 or 4500/2250 adult / child.
The ticket is valid only during the day! But many Anuradhapura can be visited for free, so if you plan to explore it for more than one day, then it makes sense to visit paid places in one day - Abyagiri, Citadel, Jetavanarama, museums and the main Architectural Museum, and on other days to explore the rest. The ticket office is located near the Architectural Museum. Tuk tukers can offer to drive you around the complex without buying tickets by paying them in person, but the amount is less than the cost of the tickets.
The sights of Anuradhapura can be viewed even in the evening when the lights turn on and Sri Lankans come to religious sites for ceremonies. After 6 pm the ticket offices are closed and you can walk around all the sights for free.
It is prohibited to use quadcopters in Anuradhapura.
