From ancient holy trees and huge pillars, to advanced hydraulic systems and intricate religious carvings, Anuradhapura is a kind of destination that would like everyone interested in the history of Sri Lanka. So here's a passenger guide with my recommendations for some best places to visit in Anuradhapur.
Whenever I visit a country, I enjoy learning and his ancient and recent history. In fact, a visit to ancient web locations helps me better understand local culture and customs. And Sri Lanka was no exception.
Located in the northern central province, Anuradhapura was one of the ancient capital of Sri Lanka.
Which was thought to be based in the 5th century, Anuradhapura was the center of Teravada Buddhism, a majority religion in Sri Lanka for hundreds of years.
This ancient city is now the place of UNESCO World Heritage and be sure to visit in anyone Sri Lanka planespecially on Poya Dani (More about this below).
Here are the best places to visit in Anuradhapur.
How to get to Anuradhapur
But before we look at what to do in Anuradhapur, let's look at some convenience.
If you plan Visit Jaffn While on Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura is an ideal place to stop and break a long trip to or from ( Sigiriya.
From Colomob to Anuradhapur
If you are on the budget, the bus is the most cost -effective way to reach Anuradhapur from Colomb. The buses leave Gallefface and Wellawatte in Colomb and cost 3,793 LKR (~ £ 10/13 USD).
You can also catch the train from the Fort Colombo station. The train is a very popular way of transporting to Sri Lanka, and if you want to travel the first class, take care of Book well in advance. The price for a one -way ticket is 2,600 lkr (~ $ 7/9us).
How many days should I spend in Anuradhapur?
The exploration of the historical sites of Anuradhapura can easily take several days, but you can also feel like one day is sufficient. In fact, you can easily visit the most important attractions of anuradhapura in one day.
However, if you are a history of history, you might want to spend an extra day to gain more detailed experience.
By saying this, if you lack time and you can only visit anuradhapur on your daily trip, here are some options:
Anuradhapura accommodation
I didn't really stay in Anuradhapur overnight as I stopped on the way from Jaffne to Sigiriya. However, I stopped for lunch at Heritage Hotel AnuradhapuraAnd if the food and the pool will pass, it looks like a fantastic place to stay.
IIf you decide to stay overnight, the Heritage Anuradhapura Hotel is located between the new and ancient city, on the coast of Lake Thists Wew, and that is the perfect place to return after sightseeing.
> Book the Heritage Hotel Anuradhapura here
HEra are some onBody highly rated places to stay in Anuradhapura:
Best places to visit in Anuradhapur
Jetavanaramaya Pillar (or Dagaba)
Jetavanaramaya Pillar (or Dagaba) is one of the highest pillars on Sri Lanka, and it is said to hold the relic of Buddha's wing.
This huge pillar was once a monastery, and one of the sixteen places that Buddhists should visit is considered to be visited in their lives. Admiration to his magnificence is one of the best things to do in Anuradhapur for every visitor.
It was built between the years 273 and 301, and it is said to have been built with 90 million bricks!
Lovamaaahapaya
Lovamahapaya, also known as Brazen Palace, built the first Buddhist king on Sri Lanka in the 3rd century, and was once the tallest building in Sri Lanka on a high 9 stories.
Unfortunately, the building was completely destroyed in the fire, and the only remains are 1,600 stone columns that held the building. It is still very impressive to imagine what the original building would look like it was sitting on so many columns.
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is Holy Bodhi The tree said he came from the branch of the Bodhi tree below which he reached the gauta Buddha.
It is also the oldest human planted tree in the world that has been recorded. He was planted in the 288 BC and is one of the most holy relics of Å rilan Buddhists, and the Buddhists are highly appreciated worldwide.
The ancient city was built around this tree and thanks to its city it became a world. This is one of the most fascinating places to see in Anuradhapur.
Ruwanwelisaya Pillar
It is said that this monumental pillar has the largest collection of Buddha relics within it and is considered a holy place for Buddhists all over the world.
It is another of the sixteen sites, along with Jetavanaramaya Stup, which believers should visit in their lives, which is believed to have visited the gautama Buddha during his three visits to Sri Lanka.
The pillar was rediscovered in the 19th century as a collapse and was restored in the early 20th century, and the last crown took place in 1940.
Thaparamaya
The Thiparamaya Stupa was the first Buddhist temple built in Sri Lanka.
Surrounded by numerous stone columns that kept Vadadaa type of Buddhist round structure found only in Sri Lanka. It is said that the entry is installed by the real bone of the Buddha collar.
Lankarama and Ribnjak elephant
Another ancient pillar in Anuradhapur, is also surrounded by columns, indicating that he was surrounded by Vadata.
Near the pillar you will find Elephant Ribnjak, an ancient pond created by a man with water delivered from an underground channel that still work today
Kutam Kutam Kotun (Twin Ponds)
Part of the monastery and residential complex of Abhayagiriya, Kutam Kotani or Twin Ponds are hydraulic engineering of the miracle of ancient Sri Lanka.
It is also worth visiting from an architectural standpoint, with flights of steps leading down into the water. They are supplied with water through underground channels with four levels of filtering, and both are connected to each other.
Samadhi Buddha statue
The Samadhi Buddha statue shows being in the holding of meditation. It is dated to around the 4th to the 6th centuries and is considered one of the best statues on Sri Lanka.
It is believed that when the eyes were inserted with precious gems. One curiosity about this statue is that if you look at his right profile, the Buddha looks like he is happy and smiling, but if you look at the left profile, he looks sad. This cannot be understood when you look at the statue face to face.
About this
Another of the ancient places of Anuradhapura, this pillar was the focal point of the A Abhayagiry Monastery Complex, which in the 5th century had over 5,000 residential monks, and it is said that it was built through a trace of Bhudde.
Double ponds, Samadhi Buddha Statue and the famous Moon Anuradhapura are part of what was the monastery.
Anuradhapura monthly stone
Famous Anuradhapura Moonstone is the best example of a moon stone that is located anywhere.
The moon is a unique feature of Sinhal architecture typical of the ancient Sri Lanka. It is a complex carved semicircular stone slab and can be found at the base of the staircase and the entrance.
This lunar stone shows half of Lotos flour in the middle with several concentric bands, each with swans, leaves, elephants, lions, horses and bulls. These last four represent four stages in life – growth, energy, power and patience.
Rathna Prasadaya and guard stone
Rathna Prasadaya was a seven -floor palace, of which only ruins remain. However, these ruins are numbered the most beautiful and beautifully decorated Muragala or protective stone throughout the anuradhapur.
AND Muragala is a set of double oblong stone slabs sitting at the bottom of the set of stairs leading to the site of worship.
The carving shows a mythical dragon, seven heads of cobras and dwarf servants.
Archaeological Museum
Located in the recently renovated colonial administration building, the Archaeological Museum is one of the best places of Anuradhapur to visit if you are history.
It is one of the oldest museums in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka. There are exhibitions of items located in various regions of Earth, such as statues of Buddha, coins, jewelry, as well as the Thiparamaya Vatadage model, so you can visualize what it looked like.
The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Jesurumuniya
Surumumumumuniiyi is a temple located near the Raska to change Wewa.
There is a monastery connected to the cave, and at the top of the cliff there is a pillar. He is known for its stone carvings, and especially for 'Jesurumuniya lovers', a 6th -century Gupta -style -famous -famous carpentry.
The monastery has an input fee of 200lkr (~ 0.50 £/$ 1us).
Mahinatal
Mihintale is a mountain peak outside the archeological area of Anuradhapur and is worth a visit.
It is believed that the Buddhist monah Mahinda and the King of DevanumbPisus and the place where Buddhism began in Sri Lanka were met.
It is now a place for pilgrimage and is away from tourist crowds. It takes about 20 minutes to climb to the top and is a great place to enjoy the sunset.
How to bypass
The archaeological site of Anuradhapura is huge, so the best way to move from one place to another whether you have your own your own guide with a car or Join a cycling tour.
Alternatively, you can go locally and Hire a guide with tuk tuk This will take you around all places.
Visit of Anuradapur in Poya days
The days of Poya Saint are days that mark different historical events in Buddhism. Poyan days tend to be once a month, just like the full moon.
As this is a traditional sacred place, if you accidentally find yourself in the country on a full moon, I would advise you to organize your Sri Lanka Plan So you can visit Anuradhapur during the Poya Day, when prayers and many offers are carried out.
I was fortunate to witness the ceremonies and worshipers on Poya Day, and the whole city was so spiritually charged that it could not be tucked. Thousands of pilgrims walk barefoot dressed in white, moving from one holy place to another offer of lotos flowers and prayer.
One of the things to which he testifies while in Anuradhapur on Poya is given is the ceremony of the flag wrapper.
The huge vibrant orange ribbons of the patch are marching down the street to the foot of the pillar Ruwanwelisaya accompanied by the sound of trumpets and drums. The monks then collect the cloth and wrap it around the pillar.
This, of course, takes some time, but you can enjoy a cheerful atmosphere around the pillar while it happens.
Do you have any questions about the best places to visit in Anuradhapur?
Let me know in the comments!
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Detection: Many thanks to tourism Sri Lanka, who hosted me on this trip. As always, all my views are.
(Tagstotranslate) adventurous trip
