Samadhi Statue is considered one of the best sculptures in the Anuradhapura era. It is thought to be done during the 3rd or the 4th century. It is made out of dolomite marble and stands 7 feet 3 inches (2.21 metres) in height.
This was a special shrine in Uttara Mula in the Abayagiri Monastery utilized for ritual purposes associated with relics of Buddha. Paying homage to the relics of Buddha was a popular ritual in the Abayagiri Monastery. This building has been recognized as a Relic Shrine from the architectural features.
Located close to the Uttara Mula this is considered the main refectory of the Abayagiri Monastery. This is a square building with 42.7m on one side. Four stages of construction from early as 1st century BC has been found during the excavation of the site.
Built by King Kanitta Tissa, the Ratna Prasada served as Abhayagiri Vihara’s grand chapter house. Designed to rival Mahavihara’s “Copper Palace,” this “Jewel Palace” features massive 22-foot monolithic pillars. Its exquisitely carved guardstones and historical role as a royal refuge highlight the immense political and religious significance of ancient Anuradhapura.
The massive Kala Wewa and Jaya Ganga irrigation scheme of King Dhatusena (459-477) with a 87km canal maintaining a laser precision 1:10,000 slope is considered one of the best engineered irrigation schemes of the ancient world.
According to legend, Weragama Purana Tampita Viharaya (also know as Diya Bubule Pansala) has been built during the time of Mihindu Maha Rahath Thero and has been renovated by 4 kings of different eras.
Galmaduwa Sulugulu Purana Viharaya is an ancient temple of belonging to the Anuradhapura era in Mihinthale hidden deep inside the country. An unrestored stupa mound and number of ancient artifacts is an indication of the age of this site.
Maminiyawa Purana Rajamaha Viharaya is located in front of ‘Maminiyawa Wewa’ which is one of the six biggest reservoirs built by King Mahasen. Name of this sacred place is mentioned as ‘Surulu Maminiyawa’ in the book of ‘Nampotha’ which contains the names of ancient temples and fanes (Devale) in Sri Lanka.
Kokabe Archaeological Reserve has been dated to pre christian era and lies off the beaten track far way from civilization and pilgrim routes in the jungles off Horowpathana.
Discover a hidden treasure in Anuradhapura—the rare Prasada Stupa, one of only four square-shaped stupas in Sri Lanka. Built over a natural rock, it blends mystery, history, and Mahayana influence, standing quietly between Ratnaprasada and the Samadhi statue.
Unknown to many, this moonstone lies at the entrance of a ruined building just behind the Ratnaprasada in Anuradhapura. This site is seems to be rarely visited without even a visible footpath. The most popular moonstone among the pilgrims and tourists lies on the building called Biso Maligaya. According to a plaque installed by the Department of Archeology, This moonstone is the most exquisite artistic creation of a moonstone found in Sri Lanka according to Prof. Senarath Paranawithana.
This Pancavasa located in the Abayagiri Monastery in Anuradhapura, now commonly known as Biso Maligaya or the queen’s palace for no apparent reason is most famous for the moonstone found in the main flight of stairs on the center building. This moonstone is considered one of the best and most well-preserved moonstone in this era. This moonstone is believed to be belonging to the 7-8 th Centuries.
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”
Kuttam Pokuna or the twin ponds are another hydrologic engineering marvels of the ancient Sri Lanka. These two ponds belong to the Abayagiri aramic complex and probably been used by the monks for bathing. The origins of these ponds are not known but it is thought to have been built during the reign of King Aggabodhi I (575-608).
The gigantic man-made pond, Eth Pokuna is situated close to Lankaramaya. This is 159 meters in length 52.7 meters across and 9.5 meters in-depth with the holding capacity of 85,000 cubic meters of water.
Manankattiya is an remote village lying isolated in Galenbindunuwewa area in Anuradhapura district. The Manankattiya Reservoir is the lifeline of the of these villagers. The village temple Sri Sudarshanarama Rajamaha Viharaya lies close to this reservoir.
Hidden within the serene village of Gonamariyawa lies the ancient Weragama Tampita Viharaya and the sacred Gonamariyawa Ulpatha—a spring once vital for royal irrigation and now a lifeline for villagers. Step into this timeless sanctuary where legend, devotion, and nature still flow together.
Mahakumbukgollewa is an ancient village between Medawachchiya and Vavuniya in the Anuradhapura district. The Sri Dalada Viharaya at Mahakumbukgollewa hides a ancient Tampita Viharaya from the Kandyan Era.
Korasagalla is an ancient village on the Thalawa road few kilometers away from Kakirawa. History of the Koranaka Sandagala Tampita Rajamaha Viharaya in Korasagalla is believed to go back as far as the reign of king Kawanthissa.
Korasagalla is an ancient village on the Thalawa road few kilometers away from Kakirawa. History of the Koranaka Sandagala Tampita Rajamaha Viharaya in Korasagalla is believed to go back as far as the reign of king Kawanthissa. It is also said that when the king Dutugemunu was bitten by an cobra, he was treated by snake venom specialists from the Korasagalla
