Eth Vehera Stupa in Mihintale Monastery (ඇත් වෙහෙර)
The climb along the long flight of steps leading to its summit of Eth Vehera is a rewarding experience. The narrow steps winding its way upwards makes art in its very simplicity.
Anuradhapura District
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Refectory of Mihintale Monastery (මිහින්තලේ දානශාලාවේ නටබුන්)
The remains of the Bath Ge or the Dana Sala or the Refectory of the monks of the Mihintale Monastery.The building is rectangular with a central courtyard open to the sky and paved with granite slabs.
Assembly Hall of Mihintale (මිහින්තලේ සන්නිපාත ශාලාව)
An integral part of a Buddhist monastery is the Sannipata Salawa or the Assembly Hall where the Bhikkhus of the monastery met to discuss matters of common interests.
Aradhana Gala of Mihintale (ආරාධනා ගල)
In Sinhala Mihintale literally means the “plateau of Mihindu”. This plateau is the flat terrain on top of a hill from where Arahat Mihindu was supposed to have called King Devanampiyatissa, by the King’s first name to stop him shooting a deer in flight.
Vessagiriya Monastery of Anuradhapura Kingdom (වෙස්සගිරිය)
Vessagiriya is located few hundred meters left to the current Isurumuniya on the old Anuradhapura-Kurunegala road. This temple complex is located in and around 3 beautiful bolder formations spread across a large area in front of the Tissa Weva. On one these is a remains of a dagaba.
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.
Western Monastery ‘G’ of Ancient Anuradhapura (අනුරාධපුර බටහිර ආරාමය G)
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.
Ruwanweli Seya Maha Stupa
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.
Ranmasu Uyana: Royal Goldfish Park (රන්මසු උයන)
Ranmasu Uyana, the “Royal Goldfish Park,” is a 40-acre ancient pleasure garden in Anuradhapura. Famous for its sophisticated hydraulic systems and rock-cut bathing pools, it also houses the mysterious “Star Gate” carving. This tranquil site, where legends say Prince Saliya met Asokamala, perfectly blends history with nature.
Anuradhapura Mirisawetiya Dagaba (අනුරාධපුර මිරිසවැටිය දාගැබ)
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 of Mihintale (මිහින්තලේ කලුදිය පොකුණ)
Nestled in a tranquil forest near Mihintale, Kaludiya Pokuna is an ancient monastic site named after its dark, reflective pond. Surrounded by stone ruins, inscriptions, and meditative caves, it offers a peaceful glimpse into Sri Lanka’s early Buddhist heritage and timeless natural serenity.
Sinha Pokuna of Mihintale (මිහින්තලේ සිංහ පොකුණ)
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.
Naga Pokuna of Mihintale(නාග පොකුණ)
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.
Mihindu Seya of Mihintale Monastery (මිහිඳු මහා සෑය)
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
Mihintale – The Cradle of Buddhism (මිහින්තලාව)
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 – The Great Copper Roofed Mansion (ලෝවාමහාපාය)
The Lovamahapaya, or the Great Brazen Palace, stands as a testament to the architectural ambition of King Dutugemunu. Originally a nine-story monastery supported by 1,600 granite pillars, its roof was famously covered in bronze tiles.
Jethawanaramaya of Anuradhapura Kingdom (ජේතවන විහාරය)
Jethawana Stupa built by King Mahasen (276-303 CE) is the largest stupa in 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, Jethawanaramaya still remains the tallest of its kind in the world.
Isurumuniya Viharaya (ඉසුරුමුණිය විහාරය)
Isurumuniya is a 3rd-century BCE rock temple in Anuradhapura, famous for its exquisite stone carvings and serene setting by the Tissa Wewa. Originally built by King Devanampiyatissa, it features the iconic Isurumuni Lovers, the Horseman, and bathing elephants. This tranquil site beautifully blends spiritual heritage with legendary Sri Lankan romance.
Abhayagiri Monastery (අභයගිරි විහාරය)
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 (දක්ෂිණ ස්තුපය)
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.