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Anuradhapura Heritage site

Sri Lanka 's most ancient capital city, the known history of which extends five or more centuries BC, together with Pre and Proto-historic remains. The capital lasted till the end of the 1 st millennium AC. It remains the major Buddhist religious center for more than 2000 years.

The whole site is studded with vast expanses of monastic sites. The tallest brick-built stupas of the ancient world, Ruvanvalisaya , Abhayagiri and Jetawana dagabas, constituted the central edifices of the monasteries. Mahavihara, Abhayagiri Vihara and Jetavanarama respectively.The Central Cultural Fund has undertaken a major Excavation and Conservation programme of these three sites over the last twenty five years.

Sri Mahabodhi the sacred tree shrine of the Mahaviharaya, planted in the 3 rd century BC, still remains it's vitality and receives veneration of the Buddhist world all year around.

The stone Buddha images of Anuradhapura are among the best classical icons. The decorative sculptures including the moonstones, guardstones , Isuruminiya lovers, etc., remain unparalleled works of art.

Anuradhapura remains the “Golden Capital” of ancient Lanka.

• Mahavihara Sites

The great Bodhi-tree at Anuradhapura is an offshoot of the Great Bodhi tree seated under which the Buddha attained Enlightenment, and thus remains the oldest historic tree in the world, Sri Maha Bodhi was brought to Sri lanka by theri Sanghamitta. daughter ­Emperor Asoka of India and planted at the ancient Tissarama by king Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BC. Since then the Bodhi tree shrine remains to this day the most venerated sacred monument worshipped by world Buddhists

The Ratnamali Cetiya (Ruvanvali-saya) built by king Dutthagamani in the 2nd century BC, being 250ft high originally, is considered the third highest brick-built monument of the ancient world The stupa or cetiya was built enshrining the bodily relics of the Buddha within a relic chamber built of stone slabs. The square tee surmounting the dome corresponds to the railing enclosure of the Sanchi stupas of India, while the cylinder was the original umbrella shaft and the grooved cone the original set of umbrellas.(Chattravali)

 

The earliest historical stupa built by king Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BC. Subsequently, it has been converted into a Circular Caitya Shrine (Vatadage). Which model was later developed into a magnificent monument as found at Medirigiriya and Polonnaruva.

 

• Abhayagiri Sites

The original construction of the stupa of the Abhagiri Vihara belongs to the 2nd century BC and was enlarged in the 2nd century AC. Having been 300ft high, it is considered as the second tallest brick-built monument of the time, The monastery of abhaygiri is well known as the institution which encouraged heterodox teachings leading to the dissemination of Mahayanism in Sri Lanka. Fa-hsien, the traveler Chinese monk of the 5th century lived here for two years.According to him, there were 5000 monks living at the Abhayagiri Vihara as against 3000 monks of the Mahavihara.

 

The well-known Buddha image engaged in meditation (samadhii) at the Abhayagiri vihara is considered the greatest Buddha icon produced by the Sinhalese sculptors of the Anuradhapura period and is datable to about the 4th-5th century AC The image belongs to the ancient Bodhighara site at the Abhagiri Vihara, The spirituality, emanated by the image has brought solace to the great Indian leader Jawaharlal Nehru while in prison.

 

Guardstone ( 8th century AC )depicting the anthropomorphic figure of a cobra king ( Nagaraja ) at the Ratnapasada at Abhayagiriya is the best carved sculpture of its type. The figure holds a flower spray in one hand and an auspicious jar by the other the arch is intricately carved depicting markaras and garland bearing dwarfs.

 

The moonstone ( Sandakadapahana) ( 8th century) or the semi-circular door-mat at the so-called Mahasen Palace, which is evidently a monastic edifice,constitutes the best product of its class. The ancient sculptors appear to have displayed their skills to transform this simple stone to convey a Buddhist philosophical meaning concerned with the transmigration of the human beings.

 

One of the great attractions of Anuradhapura is the Twin Ponds (6th Century) belonging to the Abhayagiri monastery. The double pond decked with beautiful fights of steps in a stepped form is considered as one of the architectural wonders of the time. The monument was built for the use of Buddhist monks of the near by Kapararama monastic establishment.

 

• Jethavanarama Sites

The Jetavana dagaba was built by king Mahasena at the end of the 3rd century AC. Its original height being 400 ft, was the tallest brick-built monument of the time. This monastery too was leaning towards Abhayagiri and promoted Mahayana Buddhist thought, the discovery of some gold plates of a famous Mahayana text.From among the ruins of Jethavanarama testifies to the popularity of the monastery for Mahayana leanings, the excavations at the stupa have revealed very rare artifacts of jewelery, sculptures, etc

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Perhaps the largest image house at Anuradhapura belonged to the type of image shrines entirely built of brick including the roof. It constitutes a forerunner to the more famous shrines at Polonnaruva, namely, Lankatilaka. The half-broken monolithic doorjamb stands to a height of 8 meters. The colossal Buddha image which is now entirely lost,was possibly built of brick.

 

A beautiful arrangement of the dwellings of Buddhist monks popularly used during the Anuradhapura period. The main and larger edifice was built in the center of a walled courtyard, while four smaller quarters were located at the four corners. Apparently. These edifices were two-storied. The orderliness of planning of these testifies to the high attainments of the ancient architects.

 

A beautiful brick-built pond or well built in the shape of a key. Hence popularly known as Yathuru pokuna Stone steps led deep down to the well

 

A marble plaque discovered from the excavations at the Jetavana Vihara, displaying queen Maya being helped to retire to the nearby grove for the birth of Siddhartha who became the Buddha.

 

• Peripheral Sites

Isurumuni Vihara is located at the southern periphery of the ancient city of Anuradhapura just south of the royal Pleasure Gardens. The vihara is a populer site visited by the tourists. Some of the best stone sculptues like the Lovers, Man & Horse, etc; are displayed at the site.

 

The well-known sculpture depicting an amorous couple at Isurumuni is a grand product of the 5 th Century. The couple is differently identified as Sri Lanka's 'Romeo and Juliet'. I.e." Saliya-Asokamala". A soldier caressing his loved one or a divine couple, Manjusri Sthiracakra Bodisattva and his consort. The graceful movements of the bodies together with the coy and bashful looks of the female display the characteristic classical idiom so well seen in Indian sculptures of the Gupta period.

 

The royal bathing ponds (c. 7th century .AC) of the Pleasure Gardens adjoining the great reservoir Tissa, are a couple of ponds constructed together,replete with all necessaries of bathing ponds for the enjoyment of the royalty the face of the rock forming the wall on the western side is carved with a scene of sporting elephants in a lotus pond,and is quite similar to the pond at the Isurumuni vihara nearby .

 

One of the meditation monasteries on the western part of the city of ancient Anuradhapura, well known for the unique double-platformed type of plan not known outside Sri Lanka. The monasteries were used by monks who dedicated themselves to meditation in the forest (Tapovana ) as against the city dwelling monks of the Mahavihara tradition .

 

This Stupa located in a panoramic site at Mihintale, is well known for the display of earliest available Vahalkada sculptures. The vehicles ( vahanas ) of the directionel divinities, Indra-Elephant-East, Yama-Bull-South, Varuna-Horse- West and Kuvera-Lion-North,` are seen on pillar capitals of the respective directions. The earliest representation of Ganesa is also found among the sculptural friezes

 

A view of Mihintale with the great stupa (Mahasaya) seen at a distance

 

A stupa built on a raized platform is a significant edifice showing Mahayana influence. Several copper plaques with quotations from Mahayana texts have been discovered from the stupa.

 

The large hill located between Anuradhapura and Habarana is a hill studded with a large number of forest monasteries of the 7th-8th century period. The CCF was involved in the conservation activities at this site. Ritigala is visited by large numbers of local and foreign visitors throughout the year. It is also attracted by nature lovers

Anu-radha-pura Kingdom lasted one thousand and five hundred years from 380BC. This city is home to many of the earliest grandest monuments of Sri Lanka. A popular destination of Sinhalese Buddhist's prilgimages because of its many ancient Buddhist monuments.

Anuradhapura has been made royal capital by the king Pandukabhaya in 380 BC. It remained residence and royal capital for 119 successive Singhalese kings till the year 1000 AD when it was abandoned and the capital moved to Polonnaruwa. You will see some of the most famous as well as the tallest dagoba of Sri Lanka, remains from palaces, temples, monasteries, ceremonial baths and the temple of the holy Bo-tree. This tree was grown from a sapling of the very tree under which more than 2500 years ago the Buddha found enlightenment. Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, Hotels, Guesthouses, Resorts, Shopping, Temples, Places, Adventures, Wild Life, Eco Tourism, Weddings, ,Guides, Taxies, Trains, Events, Trains, Kingdom, Ancient, Ruins, Sthupas, Ruwanveliseya, Thuparama, Abhayagiriya, Ponds, season , Cycling, bars, restaurants and cafes, craft and souvenir shops