Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

This is a rural area in Sri Lanka, located in the north central region. But, this city is famous among tourist as well as local people due to the great history and ancient ruins, located in different parts of the city.

This city was one of the old kingdoms of Sri Lanka and made a huge contribution to civilization, irrigation, religion and architecture. Besides these things, the city is enriched with natural forests, lakes and wildlife species. If you like to discover the historical values, relics, historical stories, Buddhist temples and ancient technology, then this is the best place to visit. In these places, you can learn about their history, religion and architecture. I would like to provide some guidance for your visit form my travelling experience. I have pointed out several places below, where I have travelled.

During your journey, you can see small carts or street food vendors such as king coconut vendors, fruit and vegetable vendors, corn vendors etc. behind the road in this area. You can enjoy these typical and tropical foods during your journey. My favourite part is drinking king coconuts and eating water melon since the taste is amazing.

Apart from that, there are some young children, who sell fruits behind the road. If you see this type of poor children, please do not forget to give something since there are struggling with poverty and starvation. You can see a lot more poor people in this area. So, please help this kind of poor children during your visit to Anuradhapura. But, I must say that this situation does not only happen in this area; you can also see it in other rural areas too.

Besides, you can see monkeys and some other small animals running freely without having any fear of humans. They are so friendly and love to eat when people feed them. If you love to feed them, bring something with you. But, do not get too close to these animals with foods for your safety.

Mihinthale

This is a small mountain hill with a small Buddhist temple and Sthupaya (Saya). Visitors can climb up the rock and worship the temple by crossing the small stone stairs, which have fallen among Araliya trees. The history of the place dates back to ancient years due to the beliefs of initiating of Buddhist religion. According to the history, the Buddhist religion was introduced to King Dewanampiya Tissa in this place by Mihidu monk, who came from India. So, it is a divine place for pilgrims. The name of the place, which is “Mihinthale”, was given due to ancient story behind the institution of the Buddhist religion.

During the Wesak and Poson season people engage in lot of religious activities in this place, offering free meals and drinks to pilgrims. During university time, we organized some health camps in Mihinthale to help poor pilgrims around the area in order to improve their health.

You can visit rock carvings, ruins of the ancient hospital, Kantaka chithya, Aradhana gala, Refectory, Ambasthala Dagaba, The Cave of Arahat Mahinda, Kaludiya Pokuna, Maha stupaya, Naga pokuna and Sinha pokuna. Even if the top of the hill is bit windy, you can enjoy beautiful sceneries and landscapes of the nature from there. Although the path is safe, be careful while you are climbing. It takes few hours to finish the journey so, go early as soon as possible in order to have a good look around.

Sri Maha Bodhiya

This is also related to Buddhist religion due to the branch of the original Sri Maha Bodhiya, where Lord Buddha achieved enlightenments in the past. This plant was brought by Sangamitta Theraniya, who was the sister of Mihidu himi and planted it in 288 B. C. Even if this place was partly destroyed by terrorist attacks during the civil war period, it was reconstructed again.

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Ruwanwali Saya

This is a historical Buddhist temple (Saya), built in 140 B. C. by king Kashyapa, who made an immense contribution to the country and the Buddhist religion. Besides its historical value, it is one of the tallest monuments in the country. The relics in Ruwanwali Saya increase the divinity of the monument. This Saya is one of the eight important worship places in Anuradhapura, where pilgrims visit and honour. If you go to this place, I would like to suggest you offering a flower as an honour. You can buy flowers while walking on the way to this place, since there are lot of small flowers stalls behind the pathway.

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The surrounded area is beautiful and natural, which makes you free your mind and relax yourself. Besides that, you can enjoy the view of Saya from a far distance place by combining the lakes and wild species. You can enjoy a beautiful scenery specially during the nights of fool moon (Poya days).

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Lowamahapaya

Lovamahapaya is located in between Sri Mahabodiya and Ruwanweliseya in the Anuradhapura. Lowamahapaya was built by King Dutugamunu with nine stories, which emphasise the great architectural methods of the ancient past. This was the tallest building, which took more than six years to complete. According to the historical beliefs, people say the architectural plan was brought by the king from heaven. The roof covered with bronze tiles gave another name for this place as “Lohaprasadhya”. During the early centuries, Lowamahapaya consisted of Uposathagaraya, refectory and Simamalaka, where monks gather on Poya days. You can visit this place on the way to Sri Mahabodhiya and Ruwanwelisaya.

Isurumuniya

This was demanded by king Dewanampiya Tissa from 307 B. C. to 267 B. C. Isurumuniya includes an old rocky resident house, small Buddhist temple and a small pool, which is connected to the cave and stone rock. The carvings on the rock beautifies this place further. Even though it is not currently possible to go to the cave, you can climb up the small rock crossing the stone stairs. From the top of the rock hill, you can enjoy the beautify sceneries of the area.

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But, this place is well known for the stone carving of “Isurumuni pem yuwala” (loving couple), named after Saliya, who was a prince back then and Ashokamala, who was a low caste beautiful lady. This couple had to face lot of obstacles and tragedies to win over their love story. To signify their divine love story, this carving was created later, emphasising the romance between two lovers. This carving is exhibited in this place from several years. If you are interested in rock cravings and the history, then you must visit this place.

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Abhaya Giriya

This is also one of the famous religious monasteries in Anradhapura, spread in a huge area. This place was built by king Valagamba and the history of this place traces back to thousands years. In early centuries, it was named as Uththara Vihara due to the location. This place was located closer to palace of the king. According to the history, king Valagamba had to face a great war with Tamils in that era. After the victory of the war, king built this monastery to worship as gratitude to the person, who helped win the war.

Spurce

Abhaya Giriya consists of four parts: Vahadhumula, Uththeramaluwa, Kaparamula and Mahanethpamula. This place was built with 12 residences, which could provide residence facilities to Buddhist monks and foreign visitors then. So, if I tell you this place was a knowledge hub in the ancient past relating to language, religion and history, then I would be correct.

Abhayagiriya sthupa was built by king Walaghmba. Later, king Gajhbahu expanded it and was rebuilt by many other kings as well as the other rulers of the country from time to time. Besides that, there are more other special things in this place such as Abhayagiriya vehera, Pilmage, etc.

This place was attacked and destroyed several times in history, due to wars in the king’s era. But, there are still ruins that remained and that emphasise the history of the place.

Thuparamaya

Another one would be the oldest Dagaba, built by king Dewanampiya Tissa, enshrining the relics of lord buddha. Dagaba is located at Mahamewuna park providing a perfect atmosphere for pilgrims. This temple was facilitated to provide accommodation for monks in the ancient times and as a result, the name was derived as stupa + aramaya (residence). Even though this place was threatened by time to time, still it remains with its proud and beauty.

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Samadhi statue

You can visit this statue in the same place, where Thuparamaya is located. This statue is placed in Mahamuwna park, which is a calmer and beautiful park with lots of sheds and trees. This is one of the best parks for meditation and religious activities.

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This is the statue of lord buddha, which praises his enlightenments. This statue takes a unique nature due to important signs and the different looks, which take place from different angles. This statue is important and unique due to the artistic nature besides the religious importance.

Wilpattu forest

This is a wild forest (National park) located at few miles away from Anuradhapura. The best important thing is the widely spread lake, wildlife species, safari and wild animals. Having safari and spending nights in the forest with a group of friends while visiting migrant birds, fauna and lot more animals; it is a nice experience.

You can find lots of tour guides and safari trips online as well as at the entrance of the place. They organize different types of safari tours under different time tables and different prices. According to your preference you can select your journey.

Besides that, you can arrange lodges, hotels, camping sites for your accommodation. I would like to recommend to keep mosquito spray, lights and some other necessary things during your journey. I guarantee that you can have real fun from this.

(Some of the photos have taken from the internet to give the true impression of the place).