Lankaramaya in Anuradhapura Kingdom – ලංකාරාමය

The Lankaramaya stupa was built on the 1st century BC by King Vattagamini Abaya (Walagamba). The ancient name of this temple is “Silasobbha Khandaka Cetiya”
After the defeat by the Tamil invaders on the same year he came to the throne king Walagamba (103 BC) has hidden in a place called “Silasobbha Khandaka” and after defeating the Tamils and regaining the the throne he has built this stupa by the same name.
This stupa is similar to Thuparama which is the first stupa built after Buddhism was brought to the country in the 250 BC. This stupa too has had a magnificent vatadage surrounding the stupa. There are indications of 88 stone pillars have supported the roof of the vatadage. Today only few remains out of these.
The best of this vatadage architecture can bee seen in Madirigiriya.
Photos before restoration from www.imagesofceylon.com
Also See
- Anuradhapura – The city of the God King
- Ancient Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka
- Other Places of Interest Within Close Proximity
Map of Lankaramaya at Anuradhapura Kingdom
The map above also shows other places of interest within a approximately 20 km radius of the current site. Click on any of the markers and the info box to take you to information of these sites
Zoom out the map to see more surrounding locations using the mouse scroll wheel or map controls.
Driving Directions to Anuradhapura Kingdom
Anuradhapura can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two main routes are through Puttlam (Puttalama) and though Kurunegala. Traveling from Puttlam 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).
Route 01 from Colombo to Anuradhapura | Route 02 from Colombo to Anuradhapura |
Though : Negombo - Chillaw - Puthlam distance from colombo :213 km Travel time : 3 hours Driving directions : see on google map | Through : Ambepussa - Kurunegala - Dambulla distance from Colombo : 221 km Travel time : 3.15 hours Driving Directions : see on google maps |
Route 03 from Colombo to Anuradhapura | Route from Kandy to Anuradhapura |
Though : Ambepussa - Kurunegala - Padeniya - Thambuthegama distance from colombo :213 km Travel time : 3 hours Driving directions : see on google map | Though : Katugastota - Matale - Dambulla distance from Colombo :139 km Travel time : 2 hours Driving directions : see on google map |