Table of Contents
- Why Visit Anuradhapura?
- Map of Anuradhapua ancient city
- What to See and Do in Anuradhapura
- There is a lot of history and places to visit in Anuradhapura
- Things to do and places to visit in Anuradhapura
- A trip to the old temples and shrines of Anuradhapura
- Places of interest in Anuradhapura
- In Anuradhapura, there are eight holy places that are worth seeing
- A few more reads that might be interesting
- Isurumuniya has a Buddhist temple
- The holy Bo tree, Sri Maha Bodhi
- Great Stupa of Ruwanweli
- The Thuparama Stupa
- Isurumuni Lovers
- Ranmasu Uyana
- Balustrade (Korawakgala)
- Guard Stone, also known as “Mura Gala.”
- Ayurveda Hospital
- Thuparama
- The Twin Pond
- The Elephant Pond (Eth Pokuna)
- The weather in Anuradhapura
- What to See and Do in Anuradhapura
- Best Time to Visit Anuradhapura
- Tips for Visiting Anuradhapura
- Responsible Tourism in Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka’s most ancient city is Anuradhapura, which has been around since the 3rd century BC. In Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura is in the middle of the culture triangle and is a part of most trips there. Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka’s city for more than a thousand years and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many places to visit in Anuradhapura, but this piece will only talk about a few of the most important ones.
Why Visit Anuradhapura?
Before we jump into our list of must-see places, let’s talk about what makes Anuradhapura so special:
- Rich Buddhist heritage spanning over 2,000 years
- Impressive ancient engineering and architectural marvels
- Spiritual significance for Buddhists worldwide
- Well-preserved ruins that offer a glimpse into ancient Sri Lankan life
- Part of Sri Lanka’s Cultural Triangle, along with Polonnaruwa and Sigiriya
According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, Anuradhapura has seen a 30% increase in visitors over the past year, highlighting its growing popularity among history enthusiasts and cultural travelers.
Map of Anuradhapua ancient city
What to See and Do in Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura offers a unique window into Sri Lanka’s ancient past, combining spiritual significance with architectural marvels and fascinating legends. From the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi to the towering stupas and intricate stone carvings, each site tells a story of a civilization that flourished for over a millennium.
As you plan your visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site, remember to allocate enough time to fully appreciate its vast expanse and rich history. Whether you’re a history buff, a spiritual seeker, or simply curious about ancient cultures, Anuradhapura promises an unforgettable journey through time.
There is a lot of history and places to visit in Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura was built in the third century BC and was the capital of Sri Lanka for more than a thousand years. It connected the whole island. Some stories say that King Pandukabhaya built the city. After the Tamils attacked Anuradhapura and destroyed it, the Sri Lankan kings moved their city to Polonnaruwa, which is in the middle of the country. The coastal area of west Sri Lanka is not close to this place. At the moment, Anuradhapura is one of the most important historical sites in Sri Lanka. Many hundreds of old buildings, such as Stupas, temples, gardens, and castles, could be found all over the ancient city. The city was left empty after the South Indian attacks, and then nature came in and took over. Over the last 2,000 years, most historical buildings have been torn down. However, many old buildings, like the Kuttam Pokuna and moonstone, have been carefully kept. Kuttam Pokuna has stayed the same shape for the past 2,000 years. Jetawanrama Stupa is another old building that shows how it looked when it was first built. The old building’s peak has fallen, but more than 90% is still standing.
Things to do and places to visit in Anuradhapura
The archaeological site of Anuradhapura is currently home to one of the biggest and most in-depth study projects of its kind in the world. Anuradhapura is a UNESCO world heritage site and the oldest city in Sri Lanka that we know of. Many different types of old buildings, such as temples, gardens, and palaces, can be found in Anuradhapura, which has been compared to an archaeological zoo. At the moment, Anuradhapura is a very popular tourist spot, with thousands of people coming every day.
A trip to the old temples and shrines of Anuradhapura
Most of the things to see and do in Anuradhapura have to do with Buddhism. These old buildings are from one of the world’s oldest societies. They can be found in the city of Anuradhapura in the north-central province of Sri Lanka. They are located in a remote area. There are still examples of the advanced culture that people used to live in the form of Buddhist temples, palaces, parks, lakes, Dagobas (Stupas), and other amazing buildings. Find out about the hidden histories of the Eternal City’s amazing landmarks, which include ruins that are thousands of years old, beautiful Buddhist temples, and Renaissance works of art.
Another important piece of information about Sri Lanka’s past has been found by archaeologists there. The remains of hospitals that are more than 2,000 years old were found in the historical city of Anuradhapura. New proof from a recent find supports the idea that Sri Lanka had a very advanced health care system in the past. Ayurvedic treatment may have been used in the sanatorium. Places to Visit in Anuradhapura…
Places of interest in Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura’s historical sites are a part of almost every culture tour in Sri Lanka. Most foreign tourists include an excursion to Anuradhapura in their plans so that they can see the city’s old churches and other buildings. The old city of Anuradhapura hides many historical sites, such as temples, stupas, dagobas, Buddha figures, and more. Despite this, some tourists wonder if it’s really worth it to go to Anuradhapura. The simple answer is YES if you are interested in history and learning about old cultures. Otherwise, going to Anuradhapura might not make sense. These eight places in Anuradhapura are great for tourists who want to learn about Sri Lanka’s rich cultural history. They are some of the best preserved ruins of an old Sinhala civilisation. and there are planty of places to visit in Anuradhapura.
In Anuradhapura, there are eight holy places that are worth seeing
Anuradhapura is an old city with many important ancient monuments. However, this piece will only talk about eight of the most important historical sites in the city.
- Temple of Isurumuniya
- Ranmasu Uyana
- The ‘Korawakgala’ Balustrade
- The guard stone called “Mura Gala”
- the place where the hospital that has been open for several thousand years
- The Thuparama Dagoba
- Two-pond
- Zoo (Eth Pokuna) Elephant Pond
Which eight holy places in Anuradhapura should you not miss?
Eight holy places in Anuradhapura that are worth seeing. Because of this, every Buddhist has to visit these eight holy places because they are so important to the religion. All of the places listed in Atamastana are usually included in the Anuradhapura city tour. Sri Lanka has a rich history that is closely linked to these eight important figures. The culture and society of Sri Lanka are still greatly affected by many religious places. Most of them were built by the kings and queens who ruled the country from the Anuradhapura Kingdom. Here is a list of the eight holiest places in Anuradhapura.
- Atamastana: The word “Atamastana” in Sinhala refers to eight holy places. The old city of Anuradhapura is where this Atamasthana is located. The word “Atamasthana” refers to eight holy places in Anuradhapura
- Sri Maha Bodi : is a holy fig tree that was set up in 288 BC. People think that Buddha became enlightened while he was sitting under this tree.
- Thuparamaya:It is a “stupa” that King Dutugamunu built, and it is one of the biggest ones that has been finished so far. is Sri Lanka’s oldest “dagoba” and may be the oldest one that can be seen in the whole world.
- Lovamahapaya: This building is famous for the bronze tiles that used to cover its roof.
- The Abhayagiri vihara: is one of the bigger ones in Anuradhapura. There were 5,000 priests living in the monastery.
- Jethavanaramaya: At that time, about 3000 monks lived in Jethavanaramaya, which is a sacred world heritage site. It looks a lot like Abhayagiri too.
- Mirisavetiya: Following his victory over King Elara, Mirisavetiya-King Dutugamunu built this mound.
- Lankaramaya: One of the eight holy places in the city is Lankaramaya, which was built by King Valagamba during the Anuradhapura Kingdom.
A few more reads that might be interesting
- In one day, you can visit five of Sri Lanka’s most interesting places.
- In just two days, you can visit twelve of Sri Lanka’s most interesting places.
- The fifteen most interesting places in Sri Lanka that you can see in three days are listed below.
- Things to do in Sri Lanka over the course of four days
- There are twenty-two places in Sri Lanka that are worth seeing in five days.
Sri Lanka’s most ancient city is Anuradhapura, which has been around since the 3rd century BC. In Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura is in the middle of the culture triangle and is a part of most trips there. Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka’s city for more than a thousand years and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are many things to see places and visit in Anuradhapura, but this piece will only talk about a few of the most important ones.
Isurumuniya has a Buddhist temple
Isurumuniya, a Buddhist temple, is the first stop on your tour of the ancient city. In order to get to the top of the building, visitors have to go up the stairs. Even though it was a bit hard work, the stunning view of the historical site made the experience well worth it. Isurumuniya, one of the oldest places in Anuradhapura, is thought to have been built in the 2nd century BC. The temple has a beautiful image house with granite Buddha figures that were there from the beginning. The building has some modern parts to it. The museum at the temple has a collection of very rare and expensive artefacts that were found when the city was being dug up. A figure of two lovers made of stone and granite can be found in the museum. It is thought to be Saliya and Ashokamala. People who are Buddhist continue to go to the temple in large numbers, and the priests help the people with their daily religious duties.
The holy Bo tree, Sri Maha Bodhi
Just a few hundred meters away from Isurumuniya is the “Jaya shri Maha Bodhi” holy Bo-tree, which is one of the holiest places for Buddhists. The Bo-tree (ficus religiosa) is a big example of the type of Bo-tree that Buddha reached enlightenment under. In the 2nd century BC, the sapling was brought to the island and placed in Anuradhapura, which was Sri Lanka’s capital at the time. One of the eight holy places in Anuradhapura is Sri Maha Bodhi. These are called the “Atramastana.” and this are importent places to visit in Anuradhapura.
Great Stupa of Ruwanweli
Ruwanweli Stupa, also written as Ruwanweli Stupa, is right behind the holy Bo-tree. The huge brick structure, which is thought to have been built by King Dutugemunu, has a past that goes back to the 2nd century BC. It is one of the most important landmarks in Anuradhapura and one of the holiest places, or “Atamasthana.” Within the dome-shaped reliquary, there is a large open area surrounding the main body. An elephant wall goes all the way around the building. On the left side of the main entry is a statue of King Dutugemunu, who built the Stupa. There are many Buddha idols in the image house, which is next to the statue of King Dutugemunu.
The Thuparama Stupa
The Thuparama Stupa, which was built in the 3rd century BC, is thought to be one of Sri Lanka’s oldest stupas. The small but historically important dome-shaped building was built by the first Buddhist king of Sri Lanka, Devanampiyatissa. At first, the Stupa was made of clay and had a roof on top of it. Nowadays, the main part of the roof has fallen off, but you can still see the huge granite beams that held up the roof near the Stupa.
On your way deep into the historical city of Anuradhapura, you will pass Thuparama Stupa and then Lankarama Stupa. In the old Kingdom, this is how you get to the main part where the king or queen lived. As you move, you can see the ruins of the King’s home. People thought of it as the centre of the Anuradhapura Kingdom’s government and politics.
List of Places to See in Anuradhapura for People Who Love Hinduism
Isurumuni Lovers
People often include Isurumuniya on their tours of Sri Lanka because it is thought to be one of the most important places in Anuradhapura. One of the most interesting things on the island is the stone carving of Isurumuni lovers, which can be seen at the Museum of Isurumuni Vihara in Anuradhapura right now. Although it is called “Isurumuni Lovers” and is in the Museum of Isurumuni, this unique sculpture has nothing to do with the temple.
People think that this stone sculpture is one of the most valuable works of old Sinhalese artists. It is now in the Museum of Isurumuni, but it was first found in Ranmasu Uyana
Ranmasu Uyana, which was the king’s park for pleasure. As a result, this work is not thought to have any religious meaning. The royal park was right next to the Isurumuni Vihara.
The sculpture’s theme is not something that archaeologists talk about. They think it’s Prince Saliya, who is the son of the great king Dutugemunu and his wife, Ashokamala. Sri Lanka’s past is full of stories about this couple’s love. According to history, Saliya, who was a true heir to the throne, gave up his throne by marrying a beautiful outcaste.
In his book “Buddhism and Art,” the famous author Martin Wickramasinghe called the sculpture “a refined erotic sculpture.” He goes on to say that they are in love. “Nihancita mudra” is what Mr. Wikramasinghe calls the man’s head gesture (raised arm touching the head). It means being happy to see someone you love.
The sword, shield, and uniform that can be seen behind the images make him think that the person might be a soldier. Because of this, the sculpture could show a soldier and his wife either before the soldier leaves or after he comes back from duty.
Another group of artists thinks it’s the god Shiva and his wife Parvati. “Bodhisatwa Manjusri,” the symbol of knowledge, is thought to be what it is. People think that the weapon on the man’s arm is a sign of wisdom. People all over the area now see this sculpture as a work of art with deep beauty that dates back to the earliest days of Sri Lankan civilisation.
Ranmasu Uyana
Some places to visit in Anuradhapura are Ranmasu Uyana
There is a pond called Tisa wewa close to Ranmasu Uyana in Anuradhapura. It has been used as the king’s yard for fun for more than 2,000 years. Each part of the scenery was carefully planned and covered 40 acres. It shows a number of important things about city planning and gardening before Christianity. The garden was built on a rocky outcropping, and big rocks were carefully placed to bring out the natural beauty of the garden.
Large amounts of granite stones were used to build pillars and seating places in the garden. There are three ponds in Ranmasu Uyana that are made completely of stone slabs that have been carefully carved. The water for the bathing holes came from the nearby Tissa wewa.
There was a way to clean the water before it went into the ponds, and the water was sent to different places through an underground network of canals. It is thought that Saliya and Ashokamala often got together at Ranmasu Uyana.
Anuradhapura is the most ancient city in Sri Lanka and 2nd most historical city in Sri Lanka is Polonnaruwa. Both Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa offer many dozens of important historical monuments such as temples, stupas, dagobas, palaces, Buddha statues, lakes, garden ponds and many more.
Balustrade (Korawakgala)
Another places to visit in Anuradhapura is the Balustrade (Korawakgala).
The railing is a big part of the architecture of all Buddhist temples in Sri Lanka. Most of the time, all Dagobas and picture houses are built on a raised platform. The Bo-tree, which is another important part of the temple, is usually set up on a raised stage. A set of stairs leads the pilgrims to the holy area from all four main directions: north, east, west, and south.
The steps of the stairs are very carefully carved and show a lot of artistic skill. Because temple steps are often in full sunlight, rain, and other weather, they need to be made of strong materials like granite and cement. These two balustrades, which are more widely known as “Korawakgal,” are on either side of the set of stairs. The building style of the balustrade reminds me of the mythical creature called the Dragon or “makara.”
Guard Stone, also known as “Mura Gala.”
A places to visit in Anuradhapura is the Guard Stone, also known as “Mura Gala.”
The guard stones, also known as Muragala, are two flat pieces of stone that are placed at the bottom of a flight of steps in holy places. Standing figures and flower designs are carved into these rocks in a very detailed way. Naga-raja is one of the most common images in the guard stone. The hood of the snake (naga) and the figure of a king (raja) on it give it the name Naga-raja, which means “monarch of the Nagas.”
People from Sinhalese society believe that the cobra is a living thing that protects valuables and important places. The two guard stones at the opening to Abhayagiri are very different from the other guard stones on the island in many ways.
Two stones, Sanka and Padma, watch over Kuvera. On the melon stone, there is a figure with a conch shell on its head. This figure is called Sanka, and on the other stone, there is a figure with a lotus flower on its head.
Just like their name suggests, Guard Stones watch over the area where they are placed. It keeps bad things from getting into the house. On the one hand, the figure has a flower pot on it, which stands for the strength of the place. Most of the time, guard stones are found in religious places. However, they can also be found in palaces and other buildings for the royal family.
Ayurveda Hospital
Ayurveda Hospital: the ruins of a hospital that was built more than 2,000 years ago
Another important piece of information about Sri Lanka’s past has been found by archaeologists there. The remains of hospitals that are more than 2,000 years old were found in the historical city of Anuradhapura. New proof from a recent find supports the idea that Sri Lanka had a very advanced health care system in the past. Ayurvedic medicine may have been used at the retreat.
In the ancient city of Mihintale, which is close to Anuradhapura, an Ayurveda hospital that has been around for more than 2,000 years was found. Recently, something new was found near Thuparama in Anuradhapura. This is one of the oldest dagobas in the country. Archaeologists say that work on the hospital began in the 3rd century BC.
The hospital was carefully planned and had medical rooms, treatment rooms, spas, and separate rooms for making medicine. Along with the medicine, the site also had tools used to make it, like cutting stones and knives.
One of the finds is a latrine that is well-defined. Recently, the ruins of another hospital from about the same time period were found in the Anuradhapura Maha Vihara Temple complex. The archaeological department is in charge of the site’s dig right now.
Thuparama
Some places to visit in Anuradhapura are Thuparama
A dagoba called Thuparama can be found in the ancient city of Anuradhapura. In the 3rd century BC, King Devanampiyatissa built Thuparama. The first Buddhist king of Sri Lanka was King Devanampiyatissa. faith: Buddhism has been the main faith in Sri Lanka since the teachings of Buddha came there from India in the 3rd century BC.
The information shows that the Dagoba’s position was chosen by forces that can’t be seen. It is said that the elephant that was carrying the clavicle relic over the spot stopped and couldn’t move. After this, the king or queen decided to build the Dagoba in the same spot where the elephant had stopped. When the object was taken off the animal, it started to move.
Twin pond: a unique well that addresses the water shortage. The twin pond is one of the most attractive tourist places to visit in Anuradhapura. The pond is built by ancient engineers in such a way that it addresses the water shortage due to the prolonged drought in the dry zone of Sri Lanka.
The Twin Pond
The Twin Pond is a popular places to visit in Anuradhapura.
This unique well is one of the old sites in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, that not many people visit. It is a new way of building that was created by ancient builders. The native language calls the twin pond “Kuttam pokuna.” It was built during the Anuradhapura time, which lasted from the 3rd century BC to the 11th century AD. The exact dates of its building can be found in the old ponds. These two ponds, which are seen as an innovative answer, help make up for the lack of water in the area during the dry season.
The hidden Anuradhapura old city, which is the centre of business in North Central Province, is only a few minutes’ drive from the new, busy city of Anuradhapura. It is known all over the world for its ancient buildings that are falling apart. Still, I don’t understand why the twin ponds in the ancient city of Anuradhapura are so famous. They look like any other well with steps that doesn’t get many visitors. Travellers often skip this historic site because the other main sights, like Jetawanarama and Ruwanweliseya, are much bigger and have more religious meaning.
How the twin pond’s design is unique
The unique architecture of the twin ponds was a creative way to deal with the lack of water in the area during the dry season. The kingdom of Anuradhapura is in the middle of Sri Lanka’s dry zone, which means that there is no permanent water source during the dry season. It also doesn’t rain very often at this time of year, which makes things even more difficult. The amount of water stored in tanks, lakes, and rivers in the area decreases as water resources run out and rainfall doesn’t make a big difference in the water level.
By digging huge twin ponds deep underground, the monks were able to check the level of the groundwater even when there was a long drought. The depth of the reservoirs is 18 feet (6 meters), which lets the groundwater levels be used. Because of this, this step-well has a water flow all year, even though it was built hundreds of years ago. Remember that you are in the most historically important archaeological site on the island. As you stand on the flight of steps that leads deep into the ground at Anuradhapura, you can see the thick forest and the crumbling historical monument in the distance.
The Elephant Pond (Eth Pokuna)
The Elephant Pond (Eth Pokuna) is one places to visit in Anuradhapura.
In terms of size, the 500-acre Abhayagiri monastery complex is one of the biggest on the island. The Abhayagiri monastery complex has many important historical sites that tourists often miss, such as the Abhyagiri Stupa or dagoba, the Samadhi Buddha, the Twin Pond, the Moonstones, and the guard stones. On the other hand, followers don’t go to the Elephant Pond very often.
Elephant pond, also known as Eth Pokuna, is an important part of the Abhayagiri monastery grounds and one of the biggest ponds in Anuradhapura, the holy city. The Elephant Pond was a place for the 500 minks that lived in the Abhayagiri abbey to relax. The water in the pond came from the Periyakulam Tank, which is right next to it. The pond is 900 feet deep. The pond is rectangular and is 158 meters long and 52.7 meters wide. In this place, 75,000 cubic meters is the most water that can be kept. There may have been a water filtration device in place to clean the water before it was put into the reservoir. The monks can get to the top of the water by going up three sets of stairs at the pond’s northern, eastern, and southern ends.
The weather in Anuradhapura
Conditions of the weather in the northeast of Sri Lanka
The dry zone of Sri Lanka has a serious water shortage from November to April because it doesn’t rain enough, as shown by the weather pattern. The researcher thinks that the current weather pattern is a lot like the weather pattern that existed during the time of Anuradhapura. The old people also had to deal with the lack of water during the dry season.
In the past, Sri Lanka’s monarchs set up very advanced methods for managing water.
The ancient Kings of Sri Lanka built thousands of lakes in the northern dry zone so they could gather water during the monsoon season, which is when it rains a lot. After the water was collected, it was given to the people while being closely watched by officials. People who live in the dry area still benefit from a complicated network of ditches that were built by kings in the 3rd century BC. Farmers in Sri Lanka’s dry zone depend on these rivers to make their lives possible.
What to See and Do in Anuradhapura
Over a thousand ancient places can be found in Anuradhapura, and the old city covers a very large area. Anuradhapura is a museum of ancient finds with over one hundred thousand historical sites, such as a twin pond.
In northern India and some parts of western India, step-wells are common. In any case, they were made in the Middle Ages, and the Anuradhapura twin pools are a lot older than the Indian step-wells. The twin pond was mostly made for the monks at the temple and wasn’t meant for any other people. Because of this, it was labelled a temple tank.
Sri Lanka’s twin pond is covered with lots of fancy things, but India’s step-wells are mostly plain and simple. Along the set of steps that lead to the twin pond, there are niches, stone carvings and arches, decorative patterns, and animal figures.
Even though the idea of step-wells seems to be similar between the two countries, the way they are used in Sri Lanka is much more complicated and advanced. The Indian step wells depend on the amount of groundwater to fill the pond. At twin ponds, on the other hand, ancient builders buried a terracotta pipe that brought water from the tank next to it to the pond. Before it filled the step-well, the water that was going to the pond was sent to a tank. So, the residue that had been mixed with the water settled in the tank before going back down to the well. Now, only clean water goes into the pond.
The twin pond of Anuradhapura is the oldest and most well-known stepwell on the island. Even though about 1500 years have passed, the partner pond is still in great shape. The twin pond was built for the priests of Mahavihara and was part of the temple complex. It was left empty when Sri Lanka’s capital moved from Anuradhapura to Polonnaruwa in the 11th century AD.
It had been dormant for many hundreds of years before it was found during the dig of the old city. The twin pond is a very important artefact that shows how good ancient people were at building and engineering. Given the risk of drought that Sri Lanka’s dry zone has faced in recent decades, this smart and advanced engineering project could be useful again in the future.
Best Time to Visit Anuradhapura
The best time to explore Anuradhapura depends on your preferences:
- December to March: Dry season, ideal for sightseeing but also the busiest time
- April to September: Shoulder season, with fewer crowds but occasional showers
- October to November: Wetter season, but lush green landscapes
For more detailed weather information, check the Sri Lanka Meteorology Department website.
Tips for Visiting Anuradhapura
- Dress modestly: Cover shoulders and knees when visiting religious sites
- Remove shoes: Be prepared to take off your shoes at temples and sacred areas
- Stay hydrated: Bring plenty of water, especially during hot days
- Use a guide: Consider hiring a knowledgeable local guide for deeper insights
- Rent a bicycle: Explore the vast archaeological park more efficiently
- Start early: Beat the heat and crowds by beginning your tour in the morning
Responsible Tourism in Anuradhapura
As you explore this ancient city, keep these responsible tourism practices in mind:
- Respect sacred sites and local customs
- Don’t climb or touch ancient structures
- Support local communities by purchasing souvenirs from small vendors
- Dispose of waste properly and avoid single-use plastics
- Consider making a donation to conservation efforts