Anuradapura

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THE PROUD HISTORY OF THE KINGDOM OF ANURADHAPURA

Ruwanwelisaya

The Ruwanweliseya stupa is one of the largest stupas or dagobas, which is in the heart of the beautiful heritage city of Anuradhapura. This magnificent stupa was built by King Dutugamunu, who was hailed to be the hero of the island. The Ruwanweliseya stupa is also known as the Maha stupa and is one of the most adorned structures of the people of Sri Lanka.

Today the Ruwanweliseya stupa stands tall with a height of 338 feet and a diameter of 951 ft. The stupa is surrounded by large paved courts and platforms which add to the beauty of the place. Initially, on the outer side of the boundary of the wall is a complete circle of elephants, made out of the brickwork. Till today, there are many renovations which have taken place from time which has made the Ruwanweliseya stupa is one of the most revered and influential areas of worship for the Buddhists in Anuradhapura.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi 

The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is one of the most ancient trees which are living even today standing tall in the Mahamewna Gardens in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. The tree is believed to have sprouted from a cutting brought from Bodh Gaya in India, where Gautama Buddha had attained enlightenment. The tree is an authentic and living link to Gautama Buddha and is often respected as the oldest tree in history which has a recorded date of the plantation. The Sri Maha Bodhi tree is the most sacred tree in Sri Lanka and is revered and respected by Buddhists in Sri Lanka and all over the world.

Jetavanaramaya Monastery

Jetavanaramaya monastery is one of the largest monasteries in the heritage city of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. This magnificent structure was the third-largest structure in the ancient world. Legend has it that a part of Buddha’s sash or belt was tied and preserved here at the Jetavanaramaya monastery. Today, the stupa is no longer the tallest, but is one of the largest in the world, with an area of over five hectares and housing over 10,000 monks.The Jetavanaram stupa is a great way to experience the Buddhist culture in its purest form.

Abhayagiri Vihara

The Abhayagiri Vihara is one of the most beautiful and exciting structures which is in the atmospheric setting of Anuradhapura. The grand scale of the monastery ruins is genuinely breathtaking and can be viewed at any time, be it the break of dawn or dusk. The Abhayagiri Vihara has a beautiful and shimmering glow. The main stupa was constructed over the footprint of Gautama Buddha, making it the second-largest stupa on the island. Also, check out the Twin Pond near the Abhayagiri Monastery, which is one of the great architectural marvels in Anuradhapura.

Mirisawetiya Stupa

The Mirisaweti Stupa is a memorial building, a stupa, situated in  Anuradhapura. King Dutugamunu (161 BC to 137 BC) built the Mirisaveti Stupa after defeating King Elara. After placing the Buddha relics in the sceptre, he had gone to Tissa Wewa for a bath leaving the sceptre. After the bath, he returned to the place where the sceptre was placed, and it is said that it could not be moved. The stupa was built in the place where the sceptre stood. It is also said that he remembered that he partook a chilly curry without offering it to the sangha. In order to punish himself, he built the Mirisavetiya Dagaba.

Isurumuniya

Isurumuniya is one of the granite, marble and stone structures located near Tissa Wewa, and this Buddhist temple boasts of architecture and sculptures that showcase the emancipation of the artists. The structure of Isurumuniya is a crossover between a temple and a fortress.  The structure evokes decorum and the carvings on stone are beyond thought-provoking. This divine structure comes to life with internationally acclaimed inscriptions of the Isurumuniya Lovers, Elephant Pond and The Royal Family.

Samadhi Buddha Statue

Anuradhapura served as a city of peace and protection against wars and disharmony. Samadhi Buddha statue is one of such marvels. Placed in Mahamevnāwa Park, this 4th-century statue is considered the best works of Buddha.  It captures Buddha in the state he was when he attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. Thus a visit to Samadhi Statue will stand true to what it means and would revive weak souls to get back on track. The aura of Buddha brings vibrancy into everyone who visits.

The Moonstone (Sandakada Pahana)

The moonstone (Sandakada Pahana)  is a permanent feature of the Buddhist building of all historical periods. This is a semi-circular piece of stone which stood at the foot of a flight of steps in most Buddhist buildings. Although the moonstone is generally semi-circular, Sometimes you can come across square moonstones. It is thought that the moonstones originated as a blank square stone and later developed into a semi-circular shape. This again developed to include multitude of carved decorations in later stages. But the moonstones in the monasteries where the forest-dwelling monks lived maintained the blank semi-circular shape.

Ratnaprasada

Famous for its beautifully carved stone structures, the Rathna Prasada is the Uposatha house (a place for the cleansing of the defiled mind) of the Abhayagiri Viharaya. It holds great importance to Buddhists and is a historical landmark in Anuradhapura. Built-in 192-194 AD by King Kanitta Tissa who ruled Ceylon, Rathna Prasada or Gem palace was originally a seven storeyed skyscraper with tiered roof, had beautiful guard stones (Mura Gal) and a statue of Buddha made of gold.

Kuttam Pokuna

One of the best specimen of bathing tanks or pools in ancient Sri Lanka is the pair of pools known as Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds/Pools). The said pair of pools were built by the Sinhalese in the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura. These are considered one of the significant achievements in the field of hydrological engineering and outstanding architectural and artistic creations of the ancient Sinhalese.

Mihintale

One such ancient marvel is the hills of Mihintale located 12 km from Anuradhapura. Mihintale in the Sinhalese language means Mahinda’s hill – a Buddhist monk in the 11th  century. Buddhism saw its conception in Sri Lanka in the rocky hills of Mihintale when King Devanampiya Tissa met monk Mahinda on the hilltop. All in all, the people hold sentiments close to their hearts and a trip to Mihintale will speak immensely about their beliefs.

 

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Anuradapura