Things To Do Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka

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Places To Visit In Anuradhapura

Lankarama Dagoba

Lankarama Dagoba is a stupa built by King Vattagamini Abhaya around 1st century BC. One of the sacred Buddha sites in Anuradhapura, the dagoba(stupa) houses stone-pillar ruins around the main stupa. You can also visit the ancient man-made pond called Eth pond or ‘elephant pond' in the vicinity. Anuradhapura is located 200 km away from Colombo and its easily connected by bus, train, and taxi.

Situated near Anuradhapura, Mihintale is a sacred mountain and a revered pilgrimage site for Buddhists. It's believed to be the place where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka. The site is dotted with numerous religious and architectural landmarks, including ancient stupas, temples, caves, and statues. You need to climb the 1,840 steps to reach the summit, where you will be greeted by stunning panoramic views. The Mihintale complex comprises various structures like the Ambasthala Dagoba, a stupa marking the spot where Mahinda is believed to have first met the king, and the Maha Seya, an impressive stupa constructed atop the mountain. The Kantaka Chetiya, a smaller stupa adorned with intricate carvings, and the ruins of monasteries and meditation sites add to the historical and spiritual allure of Mihintale.According to tradition, in the 3rd century BC, Emperor Ashoka of India sent his son, Mahinda, as a missionary to spread Buddhism to Sri Lanka. It's on the slopes of Mihintale that Mahinda is said to have encountered King Devanampiyatissa and his people. The meeting led to the king's conversion to Buddhism and, subsequently the widespread acceptance of Buddhism across the island. Read More

A park in the pre-Christian era of Sri Lanka, Ranmasu Uyana is a sculpted rock-carved for bathing purposes during the days’ monarchy. Anuradhapura is the heritage capital of Sri Lanka hosts structures with intricate stone carvings and excellent craftsmanship. The Ranmasu Uyana was one among them. But it is something that way way ahead of its time. The science astronomy that went behind its construction still continues to puzzle experts. It is located in the old town near the Isurumuniya Vihara and Tissawewa, while the name translates to “Gold Fish Park”. This garden of 40 acres is widely appreciated for its state of the art Hydraulics system which the first of its kind. It uses the right pressure to get water from the Tissa tank and pump it into the swimming pools of the garden. The garden features beautiful plants, trees, vines and flowering shrubs. Ranmasu Uyana rightly panders to Sinhalese literature. It symbolises beauty, elegance. According to the old books, Bathing pools and gardens were iconic to the Sri Lankan lifestyle. Another important feature of Ranmasu Uyana is the infamous stargate – one of the first few stargates in the world after Peru and Egypt. A stargate in the olden days was seen as a connection or gateway between the humans and extraterrestrials. What better than Sri Lanka to contribute to history, physics and astronomy too! The Magul Uyana is a multipurpose convention that houses everything one needs to visit in Anuradhapura under one complex - pools, Buddhist temples, stupas, gardens and the ruins of war. Read More

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. Though in ruins now, it has some elegant ancient monolithic pillars, beautiful guard stones at the inner entrance, a mythical dragon, a seven-headed cobra figure (naga gala) and dwarf servant structures which have been drawing the attention of tourists. The guard stones are considered the most preserved and most intricate guard stones found from Anuradhapura era. The carvings on the ruins are beautiful and advance, implying that there was generated architecture in that era, especially the Guard stone. The massive stone pillars suggest that the building would have been gigantic during the King's time. Read More

Ritigala situated between Polonnaruwa and the old town of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka is a hilly forest and a place of Buddhist worship. The monastery is named after the 40m tall Ritigala trees in the mid slopes of the hill; this Buddhist monastery has inscriptions that date back to 1st century BC. The highest of the peaks in the Ritigala mountain range is the Ritigala Kanda that makes for an excellent trekking adventure. A journey through the stonework bordering the streams, dense forests consisting of medicinal herbs and trees, gardens and courtyards with beautiful landscaping leads its way to the temple. Legend has it that herb called “Sansevi” found near the crest, on consumption gives eternal life. It is also an ancient legend that these mountains once hosted Hanuman and Sita on their expedition from Sri Lanka to India. Like this, there is so much of history and archaeological study associated with Ritigala. The common characteristics of a Buddhist temple are Bodhi trees and stupas. Ritigala however, is a class apart. Monks in Ritigala don’t practise traditional Buddhism, their clothing (repaired rags and shrouds), detachment from the world and their sincere yearning for enlightenment is what makes this place all the more austere. The fact that the concept of worship in an off-beaten track existed in the 2nd-century minds speaks volumes of the calming effect that Ritigala has. Read More

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. Read More

The Samadhi Buddha statue in Anuradhapura is an iconic and revered sculpture representing Lord Buddha in a state of deep meditation or samadhi. This statue holds significant religious and historical importance in Sri Lanka, situated within the Mahamevuna Park in Anuradhapura. The statue depicts the Buddha seated in the meditative posture, known as the Dhyana Mudra, with both hands resting on the lap, palms upward, and one hand placed over the other. This posture signifies concentration, balance, and the attainment of enlightenment. The Samadhi Buddha is believed to be an embodiment of the serene and tranquil state attained by Buddha during meditation. It stands as a symbol of spiritual enlightenment and serves as an object of veneration and contemplation for Buddhists and visitors alike. The craftsmanship and artistic intricacy of the statue add to its allure, making it a notable attraction within the ancient city of Anuradhapura. The serene ambiance of Mahamevuna Park, where the Samadhi Buddha resides, provides a peaceful setting conducive to contemplation and meditation. Read More

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. This ancient Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree has been protected and cared for by many years by the ancient kings and queens as well as the Buddhist monks. Today the tree is surrounded by statues, water canals and golden fences which make the site even more holy and spiritual enhancing its natural beauty. Although the tree is sacred for the Buddhists, many people belonging to other religions also pay a visit to the tree to immerse themselves in the tranquil beauty and to get a sense of calm from their day to day life.Another prominent feature is the Prarthana Bo tree. Many devotees believe that this tree has the power to grant the wishes of every person who pays a visit to the complex. The Buddhists make many offerings and vow at this sacred fig tree till today. 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.There are sermon sessions organized every day, where the Buddhist devotees visit the premises of the tree. On this occasion, you will find the atmosphere filled with the fragrance of the incense sticks and the burning of the oil lamps. We recommend visiting the Sri Maha Bodhi tree in the morning when one can make the most of the visit by participating in the rituals and also witnessing the breathtaking sunrise over the city. Read More

Thuparamaya, also known as Thuparama, is the first stupa which was constructed in Sri Lanka after the introduction to Buddhism and is in the beautiful city of Anuradhapura. The ancient stupa of Thuparamaya was built during the reign of the King Devamnampiyatissa somewhere in the 3rd Century BCE and is said to enshrine the right collar bone of Gautama Buddha. The ruins of the complex today cover an area of approximately three and a half acres of land. The shape of the stupa was initially of a paddy rice shape which was later restored to a conventional bell shape in the year 1862. There were several changes to Thuparama, but some of the most significant changes were first in the 7th Century BCE when the stupa had gold and silver castings, further changes also took place in the 10th Century BCE, to the final renovations in 1862 which completely changed the structure of the stupa.Thuparamaya is an archaeological site by the government of Sri Lanka, and the government offers it special care and protection. The stupa is today one of the most revered sites for the Buddhists in and outside Sri Lanka. Read More