![Royal Palace of King Vijayabahu I in Anuradhapura (විජයබාහු රජ මාලිගය) Royal Palace of King Vijayabahu I](https://i0.wp.com/amazinglanka.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/DSC_0067.jpg?fit=300%2C157&ssl=1)
Royal Palace of King Vijayabahu I in Anuradhapura (විජයබාහු රජ මාලිගය)
The Royal Palace of King Vijayabahu I we see today in Anuradhapura is thought to be the temporary palace he constructed in 1055 for the celebrations in Anuradhapura.
The Royal Palace of King Vijayabahu I we see today in Anuradhapura is thought to be the temporary palace he constructed in 1055 for the celebrations in Anuradhapura.
The Thapowanaya is first mentioned in the reign of Kassapa IV ( 898 -914 AC) it is said that this king built a dwelling there for the Pamsukulika order of monks. Kassapa V (914 -923 AC) built the Deva dwelling in the Tapovana.
Ruwanweliseya was built by the great king Dutugamunu who reigned from 137BC to119BC. The original stupa has been about 180 feet (55 meters) in height and was renovated by many kings. The stupa is 350 feet (107 meters) in height and 300 feet (92 meters) in diameter today.
It is believed that the Prince Saliya, the son of the great hero king Dutugemunu (161-131 BC) met his future bride to be Asokamala at this Royal Pleasure Garden of Anuradhapura (Ranmasu Uyana).
Mirisawetiya Dagaba has been built by King Dutugamunu (161-137 BC) and this belongs to Mahavihara Complex. King Dutugamunu is the great king who defeated the Tamil invaders who ruled the country for 30 years and brought the country under one ruler.
Kaludiya pokuna, literally translated means the black water pool. It is said that the name evolved due to the sombre reflections of trees and boulders of the neighboring forests and mountains, and is true to its description at most times of the day.
Amongst its serene, tranquil beautiful forest and bolder clad environs we find some of the earliest examples of Sinhalese hydraulic civilization in Mihintale. Out of the many ponds and waterways that have graced this area three ponds and bathing places can be identified even today; Naga pokuna, Sinha pokuna and Kaludiya pokuna.
Amongst its serene, tranquil beautiful forest and boulder clad environs we find some of the earliest examples of Sinhalese hydraulic civilization in Mihintale. Out of the many ponds and waterways that have graced this area three ponds and bathing places can be identified even today; Naga pokuna, Sinha pokuna and Kaludiya pokuna.
To the west of the Mahaseya at Mihintale are the remains of a smaller stupa identified as Mihindu Seya, the one which king Uttiya, Devanampiyatissa’s successor built enshrining the relics of the great Sage Mahinda
In the 3rd century BC, area of Mihintale (mihinthalaya) was a thick jungleand was a hunting ground reserved for the royals. All this changed in 250 BC when the son of the Indian Emperor Asoka, Mahinda Maha Thero arrived at the Mihintale (mihinthalaya) rock to meet king Devamnampiyatissa.
Lovamahapaya (Lovamahaprasada) was a massive nine storied building with a height of 150 ft (47 meters) and each side with a 150 feet (46 meters) length. The building was supported by 40 rows of stone pillars with 40 pillars which totaled 1600 pillars.
Jethawanaramaya Stupa is the largest stupa in the Sri Lanka. It 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, Jethavana still remains the tallest of its kind in the world. Jethavanaramaya was built by King Mahasena (276-303) was completed by his son Sirimeghavanna.
Isurumuniya is famous for the stone carving of a couple and the Man and the Horse carving found at the site. For centuries experts have given various interpretations for these unusual carvings.
Abhayagiri Monastery is situated on the ancient city of Anuradhapura and is credited to king Vattagamini Abaya popularly known as king Walagamba ( 103 BC, 89-77 BC). Proof has been found that a Jain temple has existed on this land in the 5th century BC during the rule of King Pandukabaya (437-367 BC).
Dakkhina Stupa (Dakshina Stupa) is a large brick mound structure , probably an unfinished stupa lying close to sri maha bodhi. Untill recently this site was mistakenly identified as tomb of Elara.
Uttara Mula is the name which identifies the most ancient congregation of bikkus in the Abhayagiri Monastery and their head quarters. In ancient times when the the sacred tooth relic of Buddha was in Abhayagiri, Uttara Mula Bikkus were the custodians of it.
This Samadhi Statue along with the the ‘Bodhighara’ (Bo tree Shrine) and the ‘Asanaghara’ (the shrine of the Buddhas Seat) is located close to the Ratnaprasada and belongs to the Abayagiri Aramic Complex. The origin of this statue is unknown.