Anuradhapura ancient City
Anuradhapura ancient city (205 kms from Colombo, Approximately 05hrs) is Sri Lanka’s First historical capital founded in 5th century BC by a king Called Pandukabhaya. It gives a fascinating glimpse of a stately well laid out pre-Christian metropolis of gigantic Buddhist shrines and monasteries, splendid palaces, pavilions, parks, bathing ponds and vast reservoirs. Many of them, masterpieces of architecture, art, sculpture and engineering of Sri Lankan people in olden age. Anuradhapura offers a host of memorable sightseeing highlights for you to make your visit in Sri Lanka to make worth. Some of the important places are as follows,
Sri Maha bodhi ( sacred Bo Tree)
This is considered as the oldest recorded tree in the world which has a documented history for about 2200 years. This is sapling of the tree under which the Buddha, the founder of Buddhism attained enlightenment. The botanic name of the tree is “Ficus religiosa”. This was brought by Nun Sangamiththa, daughter of Empire Asoka in India during 3rd century BC with the Buddhism. Then onward royal patronage was granted to protect the tree. This consider as second most sacred shrine after the temple of the tooth relic in Kandy.
Ruwanwaliseya stupa
The Ruwanwaliseya stupa (bell shaped shrine) re-built to its original 2nd Cen BC. This has many stone sculptures of the period of original. This was constructed by a king called Dutugamunu in 2nd Cen BC. A bowl of relic of the Buddha has been enshrined in the temple. It was restored in 1893 to the original height of 338 ft.
Samadi Statue
Samadhi statue is a seated statue of the Buddha situated in Mahameuna garden of Abhayagiriya monastery at Anuradhapura. This statue has been made out of a Dolomite marble according to the deep meditation posture (the way Buddha is sitting). By the facial expression of the statue we can see the inner qualities of the Buddha like, compassion, loving kindness and serenity which make it unique from other statues in this nature. This statue considered as the masterpiece in the country and believed to be made between 4th – 6th Cen AD.
Jethawanaramaya stupa
The Jethawanaramaya stupa is the most impressive edifice in the Jethawanaramaya monastery complex. In the 4th Cen AD, the time of the collapse of the Roman Empire, it was the third tallest monument in the world at that time. The other two being the pyramids of Gizeh, Egypt. As a stupa it is the tallest in the world being over 120 meters in height and the tallest brick building ever done by men.
Twin Ponds
Twin ponds are located in Abhayagiriya monastery at Anuradhapura. There are two inter connected ponds which were made for the use of Buddhist monks resided in Abhayagiriya monastery. Historians believe that these ponds been made in 6th cen AD. The stepped embankments around perimeter facilitate for monk’s bathing. The ponds been made out of granites in to interlocking system. Water taken from a tank nearby with underground conduits and tilter before release to the pond. Used water sent to the paddy fields nearby. These twin ponds denote the sophisticated hydraulic engineering capability of ancient Sri Lankans.
Brazen Palace (Lova Mahapaya)
Brazen palace is the place where Buddhist monks of mahavihara monastery functioned their chapter house (Administration center). This was made by king Dutugamunu in 2nd Cen BC in to a 09 storied building. The roof was covered with braze roofing tiles hence the name came brazen palace. The building was destroyed by the invasions and the time and now we can see only the remaining of ground floor. There are 1600 massive granite pillars (40×40) laid down into a very tiny way.
