Anuradhapura – The City of the God Kings (ඵෙතිහාසික අනුරාධපුරය)

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The city of Anuradhapura is situated 220 kms away from Colombo in the north central province of Sri Lanka on Malwathu Oya. Founded in the 6th century BC, it was the capital of the Sri Lanka from 4th century BC to beginning of 11th century AD and was the royal capital of almost 130 successive rulers. At its hight, the city was home over 10,000 Buddhist bikkus with gigantic stupas ever built by man. Today this ancient capital of Sri Lanka has become sacred to the whole Buddhist world , with its surrounding monasteries covering a area of 40 sq kilometres and one of the worlds major archaeological sites.

According to Mahavamsa, the great chronicle of the Sri Lanka, the city of Anuradhapura was named after a Minister called Anuradha who founded this area as a village settlement. He was one of the ministers who accompanied king Vijaya from India, who according to the tradition founded the Sinhalese Race in Sri Lanka.

It was king Pandukabhaya who made it his capital in the 4th Century BC. It was during the period of his grandson king Devanampiyatissa that the Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka by Arhath Mahinda Thero, the son of Emperor Asoka in India. This was 236 years (middle of 3rd century BC) after passing a way of Load Buddha. From this point onwards a great civilization developed based on one of the greatest religions of South East Asia, Buddhism.

Anuradhapura is a must visit tourist destination for those who wish to to see the what Sri Lanka was 2000 years ago. The Sri Maha Bodhi which is a off shoot of the very tree at which Buddha attained nirvana lies in the center of the holy city. Planted in 249 BC, this is the oldest tree in the world of recorded history.

Built in the 3rd centuary, the Jetawana Stupa of the Jetawanaramaya Aramic Complex at Anuradhapura was originally 400 feet (122 meters) in height and was the third tallest building in the world at that time. Even today as a brick monument, Jethawanaramaya still remains the tallest of its kind in the world.

The new city of Anuradhapura is dotted with star class hotels to small home stay units to suit all type of travelers. The best way to visit these site is on a tuk tuk, a three wheeler or by hiring a bicycle. Most lodges have few bicycles for daily hire.

Places of Interest in Anuradhapura

1. ISURUMUNIAbayagiri Stupa 
   1. Burrows Pavilion
   2. Daladage Ruins
   3. Eth Pokuna 
   4. Gedige Ruins
   5. Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds) 
   6. Lankaramaya 
   7. Pancavasa (Biso Maligaya) with the Moonstone 
   8. Mahapali Alms Hall
   9. Moonstone – 2
   10. Prasada Stupa ( Indikatu Seya)
   11. Rathna Prasada (Jewel Palace) 
   12. Refectory
   13. Relic Shrine 
   14. Samadhi Statue
   15. Samadhi Statue 2 and Bodhighara 
   16. Samadhi Statue 3 and Bodhighara
   17. Uttara Mula
2. Asokaramaya (Pankuliya Buddha Statue)
3. Dhakkhina Stupa 
4. Galpalama (Stone bridges) over Halpan Ela
5. Galpalama (Stone bridges) over Malwathu Oya
6. Isurumuniya Vihara (Originally Meghagiri Vihara)
7. Jethavana Viharaya ( Jethavana Temple) 
8. Lovamahapaya (The Great Copper Roofed Mansion) 
9. Mihinthale 
10. Mirisavatiya Dagaba 
11. Nakha Vehera
12. Padalanchana Chethiya
13. Padanagara I
14. Padanagara II
15. Ranmasu Uyana ( Goldfish Park) 
16. Ransimalakaya
17. Royal Palace of Vijayabahu I
18. Ruwanvali Seya 
19. Samgamiththa Stupaya
20. Silachetiya (Kujjatissa Stupa)
21. Sri Maha Bodhi (The sacred Bo-Tree) 
22. Tapovana Monastery
23. The Royal palace of King Vijayabahu I
24. Thuparamaya
25. Toluvila Ruins
26. Mayura Pirivena
27. Vijayarama Aramic Complex
28. Vessagiriya (originally Issara Samanarama or Isurumuniya) 

1. Sandakada Pahana – Moonstone
2. Korawakgala – Balustrades of Buddhist Buildings
3. Mura Gala ( Guard Stone)
4. Makara Torana
5. Atamasthana

Other Historical Sites around Anuradhapura

1. Awkana Buddha Statue
2. Ras Vehera (Sesuruwa)
3. Hatthikucchi
4. Namal Uyana
5. Sigiriya Rock Fortress 
6. Mihinthale

A chronological list of Sri Lankan kings who ruled from Anuradhapura

click here

Map of Anuradhapura

Driving Directions to Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are through Puttalam (Puttalama) and though Kurunegala. Traveling from Puttalam you will pass scenic Wilpattu area. the From Kurunegala there are two main routes to Anuradhapura. The most common route is through Dambulla. The other route is though Galgamuwa. Out of all the routes, the commonly used is the Kurunegala – Dambulla route (Route 2).