Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first capital city, Even known as the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, is located in Northern Central Province, Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura is renowned for Archaeological sites, civilisation, food and attractions placed upon an iconic inheritance setting.
Anuradhapura is a sacred city founded in the 4th century B.C. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982 under the name of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura. The centre of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. Theravada Buddhism is a fork of Buddhism resting on its faith’s oldest written Buddhist text.
The city of Anuradhapura held the capital city for the ethnic Sinhalese society from the 4th century B.C. till the beginning of the 11th century A.D. It remained one of the most stable centres of political power in South Asia throughout this time.
This early city is considered sacred to the Buddhist world. The town plays religious significance because it retains a cutting from the ‘tree of enlightenment, the Buddha’s fig tree which, was carried in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta – the originator of an array of Buddhist nuns.
Artificial lakes extending along the horizon, stupas that touched the sky and performed as data communications, dwellings atop rocks decorated with elaborate sculpture, water gardens and futuristic settings of technologies and stargates are just a few construction festivals of the ancient Sinhalese.
Enhanced with Buddhism brought down from India approximately three thousand years before Sri Lankan technicians and artisans built unique breath-taking constructions in the ancient society. Formulated with bricks and carved with stones, these productions observed in the ancient city of Anuradhapura continues to astound the world. Here are some of the finest places to visit in Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura Tourism
Anuradhapura is a historical paradise as it houses several heritage monasteries, palaces, and monuments. It is known for its vast dagobas or brick stupas, ancient ponds and pools and magnificent temples. The city was established as the first capital of Sri Lanka in 377 BC. It was also at this time that Anuradhapura rose to prominence as a seat of political and economic importance.
Anuradhapura was built around a cut piece from the Bodhi Tree, or the ‘tree of enlightenment’, which is considered sacred by Buddhists. This city was on the peak of political and religious activities for around 900 years. It was invaded in 998 AD, after which it lost its importance. After being overlooked for several years, this World Heritage Site is now accessible again. Currently, Anuradhapura is an important religious site and a popular tourist attraction.
Apart from the Dagobas, the most popular tourist attractions in Anuradhapura are its ruins, or Anuradhapura World Heritage Site, the scared Maha Bodhi tree, Lovamahapaya or Brazen Palace, Archeological museum, Isurumuniya Vihara or rock temple, Ratna Prasada or jewel palace, Royal Pleasure Gardens, Kuttam Pokuna or ponds, Buddha’s samadhi, Royal Palace and many more. Amongst the well-known dagobas are Mirisaveti, Ruwanveli, Abhayagiri, Jetavanarama, Thuparama, Lankarama, and many more. Interestingly, the monasteries in Anuradhapura occupy a whopping 16 square miles by area. With this, it is evident that Anuradhapura is culturally and religiously significant to an unimaginable extent.
Authentic Buddhist traditions, archaeological ruins, lavish palaces, traditional monasteries and informative museums define the grandeur of Anuradhapura. Even though it is a large town, Anuradhapura gives the feel of being in a village. With its well-preserved cultural sites, ponds and monuments, Anuradhapura is a well-established tourist attraction in Sri Lanka. Tourists visit this town for a rejuvenating getaway, to seek peace and to satiate their
