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Anuradhapura

Attractions

The City	History
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Sri Mahabodhi Tree: This Bo or wild Fig tree was brought to Sri Lanka as a sapling by Sanghamitta, the daughter of Ashoka the Great of India 2200 years ago and it was borne from the very branches of the tree at Bodhgaya in Northern India ‘under which The Buddha attained enlightenment. This makes it the oldest historically documented tree in the world. Today it is supported on crutches and encircled by a gold plated railing. Though it is forbidden to pluck its leaves one can pick up those which have already fallen.

Brazen Palace: 1600 stone pillars in 40 rows are all that remain of this building once topped with a roof of copper, extending nine stories high and housing 1000 monks. It was built by King Duttha Gamini, the hero of the Sinhala race and the pillars are credited to King Parakrama Bahu of Pollonaruwa.

Ruwanwelisseya Dagoba and the Mirisavati Temple: Acknowledged to be the most impressive of Anuradhapuras many dagobas, it was constructed by King Duttha Gamini and enshrines the king’s spear which contained a relic of The Buddha. A frieze of elephants decorates the walls.

Thuparama Dagoba: Built by King Devanampiya Tissa to enshrine The Buddha’s collar bone in the third century 6.0, this is Sri Lanka’s oldest dagcba. It was reshaped in circa 1840 from its original paddy heap’ shape to its present bell’ shape.

Abhayagiri Dagoba and Monastery: King Valagam Bahu is responsible for raising this dagoba in the 1st century 6.0, Sri Lanka’s second highest.

King Mahasen’s Palace: The desolate ruins of this building contain the best moonstone in Anuradhapura.

Ratnaprasada: This 8th century structure is embellished by two of the finest guard stones of the Anuradhapura period.

Samadhi Buddha: A statue of The Buddha in the meditative pose, this 4th century masterpiece is one of the finest examples of its kind.

Kuttam Pokuna: The rectangular twin ponds which were fed by an underground supply of water drawn from a distance of 6 km. Worth noticing are the makara and the five headed cobra sculptures on this handsome work of ashlar.

Jetawanaramaya: A marvel of the heretic King Mahasena this is the biggest dagoba in the world and only a little smaller than the Great Pyramid of Egypt. The massive monument covers 8 acres of land and originally rose to over 400 feet.

Tissawewa Tank: This artificial reservoir dating back to the 3d century B.C attributed to King Devanampiya Tissa once served as Anuradhapura’s main source of water.

Isurumuniya Temple: Another structure from the 3d century B.C it is most famous for the rock carving of a man and a woman in romantic dalliance, believed by some to be king Duttha Gamini’s son Salya and the low caste damsel whom he fell in love with. There are other notable carvings on the way to the cave containing a statue of the reclining Buddha.

Archaeological Museums are in Anuradhapura (ancient city) and at lsurumuniya. Entry is free of charge but photography is allowed only by permission from Director General of the Dept. of Archaeology, Colombo. Open daily except Tuesdays and certain public holidays from 0800 to 1700 hrs.

Folk Museum: Close to the Archaeological Museum in the Sacred City. The exhibits are artefacts peculiar to the rural life of the North Central Province. Open daily except Thursdays and Fridays from 0900 to 170hrs. Adults Rs. 40, children Rs. 20.