Atamasthana (The Eight Sacred Sites in Anuradhapura)

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Anuradhapura, the first capital of Sri Lanka, thrived for nearly 1,500 years beginning in the 4th century BC. In the mid-3rd century BC, 236 years after the passing of the Buddha, Buddhism was introduced to the island, shaping the foundation of a remarkable civilization built on his teachings. Today, Anuradhapura stands as one of the most sacred cities for Buddhists worldwide, renowned for its ancient dagabas, vast monasteries, royal palaces, man-made reservoirs, and serene royal parks.

Atamasthana as per Mahawamsa

Among the many sacred sites in Anuradhapura, the Atamasthana—the Eight Sacred Places—are considered the most important for Buddhist pilgrims. These are the very locations said to have been visited by the Buddha during his three visits to Sri Lanka. The Mahavamsa, the Great Chronicle of Sri Lanka, records that Arahant Mahinda Thera pointed out these sites to King Devanampiya Tissa after dedicating the Mahamegha Garden to the Sangha. He marked out the eight sacred spots for the king’s knowledge and reverence (Mahavamsa, Chapter XV, paras. 28–176).

These were :

Malaka – The place where the rites and ceremonies were performed by the monks. The building erected hereon was named “Malaka,” being situated to the south of the spot where the Theras had lived in the first month in the Mahamegha Garden.
The spot where a pond was formed for the monks to bathe. This spot was situated to the north of the place where the Theras passed the first night.
The site of the sacred Bodhi tree.
The site of the Uposatha Hall.
The site at which the various offerings made to the priesthood were collectively divided by the assembled monks.
The site where the refectory called the “Chatussala” of the monks was erected.
The site of the Ruwanweli Maha Cetiya.
The site by the side of the Malwatu Oya where the chief Thera had stayed (Harischandra, 1908)

Atamasthana as per Pujavaliya

Pujavaliya, written between 1266 and 1275 by Mayurapada Thero also speaks of an Atamasthana in Anuradhapura and lists them as below; They are described as where the Buddha rested and preached dhamma to the deities.

Dakunu Maha Seya
Sri Maha Bodhi in the center of Mahamevuna Uyana
Lovamahapaya
Pirith-la-geya
Danthadara Pond
Thuparamaya
Ruwanweliseya in Pathasbhoomi
Mahasala Seya in Mihintale

Atamasthana as per the “Atamasthana Committee” of 1871

However, Mr. R. W. Ievers in his publication Manual of the North Central Province published in 1899 identifies a completely different set of sites as Atamasthana. This was due to the formalizing of an “Atamasthana Committee” in 1871 as the custodians of Atamasthana. This committee comprised the Head of the Nuwarawewa Family (see here for the history of this family), three Rate Mahathayas and, seventeen Korales of Nuwarakalaviya. The Atamasthanadhipathi (head priest of the Atamasthana) was appointed by the Head of the Nuwarawewa family. Nuwarawewa family claims to the Sri Maha Bodhi as direct descendants of those who accompanied the branch of the Sri Maha Bodhi from India as the guardians of the Bodhi tree. Therefore in a unique situation, a layman was given the authority to appoint the powerful position of Atamasthanadhipathi. Along with this Ievers lists down the Atamsthana in his book.

Noteworthy is the the Great stupa of Ruwanweliseya missing from this list. The source of the list provided by Ievers is not mentioned.

Current Atamasthana in Anuradhapura

References

Levers, R.W., 1899. Chapter II. In Manual of the North-Central Province, ceylon. Colombo: G.J.A. Skeen, Govt. Printer.
Gnanawimala Thero, K. (1960). මයුරපාද පරිවේණාධිපති බුද්ධ පුත්‍රයන් විසින් රචිත පූජාවලිය.
Mahanama, Geiger, W., & Bode, M. H. (1912). The Mahavamsa or the Great Chronicle of Ceylon. Translated into English by Wilhelm Geiger. For the Pali Text Society by Henry Frowde.
B.W. Harischandra, 1908. The Sacred City of Anuradhapura. With Forty-six Illustrations. 1st ed. Colombo: Brahmachari Walisingha Harischandra.

Driving Directions to Anuradhapura

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Bus

Anuradhapura can be conveniently reached by bus, train, or private transport. Both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned buses operate from the Colombo Fort Main Bus Station. In addition, luxury buses departing from various locations in Colombo travel via Anuradhapura to Vavuniya and Jaffna; these require advance online booking and generally operate overnight, arriving at their final destinations early in the morning.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Train

Five daily trains operate from Colombo Fort Railway Station to Anuradhapura. Typically, the first train departs at 9.40 a.m. and the last at 8.30 p.m. The journey takes approximately four to five hours, depending on the number of stops made by the particular service.

Colombo to Anuradhapura By Car or Van

Anuradhapura can be accessed from Colombo via several routes, with the two primary corridors running through Puttalam and Kurunegala. The Puttalam route passes the scenic Wilpattu area. From Kurunegala, there are two main approaches: the more commonly used route via Dambulla and an alternative route via Galgamuwa. Among all options, the Kurunegala–Dambulla route (Route 2) is the most frequently used.

Route 01 from Colombo to Anuradhapura	Route 02 from Colombo to Anuradhapura
Through: Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo: 210 km Travel time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps	Through: Negombo – Chilaw – Puttalam Distance from Colombo: 210 km Travel time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route 03 from Colombo to Anuradhapura	Route from Kandy to Anuradhapura
Through : Katunayake Expressway – Narammala – Wariyapola – Padeniya – Thambuthegama Distance from Colombo: 203 km Travel Time: 4.30-5.00 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps	Through: Katugastota – Matale – Dambulla Distance from Colombo: 136 km Travel Time: 3.5 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps