Sacred City of Anuradhapura





Anuradhapura was first settled during the Iron Age. Centuries later, it became one of the first, formally planned cities in the world, featuring palaces, worship grounds, cemeteries, monasteries, and water tanks, comprising the most intricate, well-designed irrigation system of the time.



Sri Lanka’s first capital Anuradhapura, located within the Cutlural Triangle in the North Central province, was the greatest monastic city of the ancient world. It was the royal capital for more than 100 Sri Lankan kings and at its heights was home to thousands of monks from dozens of monasteries. Originally founded by a minister called Anuradha in the 4th century BC, it became the capital of Sri Lanka two centuries later. After a long and sometimes bloody history, it was abandoned in 1073 and is now, today the most important religious and cultural site in Sri Lanka. The ruins of Mahavihara, the first Monastery, which served as the seat of Theravada Buddhism, as well as the Thuparamaya, built by King Devanam Piyatissa in 250 B.C, the Ruwanwelisaya, and several other monasteries and temples can be seen. The ancient Bo Tree, which was originally a branch of the Bo tree in Budda Gaya under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and brought to Sri Lanka by Emperor Asoka’s daughter Princess Sangamitta is also in Anuradhapura.


Today, because of its outstanding architecture and rich ornate ruins, Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Particular standouts include brick domed structures called dagobas, which served as repositories of Buddhist relics; myriad, ornate monasteries dating back to the first kings of the area; and ponds, the highly complex water tanks which were crucial to the survival of the city.



Abhayagiri Dagoba





Dating back to the 1st century BC, the Abhayagiri Dagoba stood at a height of over 300ft and was considered to be one of the greatest structures of the ancient world.


Part of the Abhayagiri Monastic Complex, which was an important Buddhist monastic centre, the Abhayagiri Dagoba is a brick structure that is believed to have been established by King Valagamba during his second reign. It played an important role during the period of the Anuradhapura Kingdom and benefited from the patronage of many kings.



Minintale





Six miles (10 kilometers) east of Anuradhapura is Mihintale, a mountain peak that is home to a temple, several stupas, a Buddha image, and even a hospital that dates back to ancient times. Because of its elevation, Mihintale’s peak offers sweeping views of Anuradhapura’s ruins.


In the 3rd century BC, area of Mihintale was a thick jungle area inhibited by wild animals and was a hunting ground reserved for the Royals of Sri Lanka. All this changed in 250 BC when the son of Indian Emperor Asoka, Arahat Mahinda Thero arrived at the Missaka Pauwa to meet King Devanampiya Tissa for the first time and asked the famous questions to decide whether The King was intelligent enough to understand the philosophy of the Buddha. Soon after, Mihintale became Arahat Mahinda Thero’s residence, but later it became a main center for Theravada Buddhism and is considered the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.


Mihintale is a collection of four mountains each about 1000 feet in height.



Samadhi Buddha Statue - Mahamevnawa Park



Avukana Buddha Statue



Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi



Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds)



Ruwanweli Maha Seya



Isurumuniya Viharaya



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