Historic and Tourist City Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura, a historically and religiously significant city that tells the world of Sri Lanka's past glory, is located in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The city of Anuradhapura can be described as a tourist and religious center where local tourists are attracted almost daily Anuradhapura is a perfect tourist destination to gain a clear understanding of the Sri Lankan people's Buddhist religious practices and cultures and to experience those experiences.

Also, the flower shops full of lotus flowers near the shrines spread across the Anuradhapura puja ground and the pilgrims dressed in white to the puja grounds are sure to add freshness to your visit.

The Historical significance of Anuradhapura city

In the history of Sri Lanka

The kingdom of Anuradhapura, which has a long history, is also the first kingdom in Sri Lanka. The origin of the Anuradhapura period was when King Pandukabhaya, who established a kingdom in the northern part of Sri Lanka in the fourth century BC, chose Anuradhapura as the capital of his kingdom.

king Devanampiyatissa, king Mahasen, king Dathusena, king Dutugemunu, and king Saddatissa, kings can be mentioned as prominent kings of the Anuradhapura kingdom, history states that the receiving of Buddhism to Sri Lanka took place during the reign of king Devanampiyatissa during the Anuradhapura kingdom. This event is known as the "Mahindagamanaya". In addition, the rise of the Jaya Sri maha bodhi sapling and the beginning of the buddha's dispensation were important events.

Some of the foreign invasions during the Anuradhapura period are the invasion of the seven tamil invaders during the reign of king Valagamba and the invasion of the South Indian invader "Elara" during the Reign of the king Dutugemunu.

the last king of the Anuradhapura kingdom was king Mahinda v. the kingdom of Anuradhapura lasted for 1500 years and, after that, the kingdom of Rajarata moved to Polonnaruwa.

Ruwanweli Stupa

Mihintalaya

Samadhi budda statue 

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Tourists' places in and around Anuradhapura 

Ruwanweli stupa and, Jaya sri maha bodhi, are two of the most popular places in Anuradhapura. Other place include,

• Mirisaveti stupa
• Tuparamaya stupa
• Isurimuni Temple 
• Samadhi Buddha Statue
• Lankaramaya Temple
• The kuttam Pokuna Ancient place
• Sadahiruseya Stupa
• Rock of Mihintalaya
• Abayagiri Stupa
• Jethawanaramya stupa,

Can be specified. Most of the places are located around the city of Anuradhapura.

Mihintalawa is a short distance away.

Ruwanweli stupa shown in the picture was built by king Dutugemunu, who ruled Anuradhapura.

Isurumuni Ancient Statue

Sculpture with Ancient royal scene in Isurumuni temple.

The statue 

of the Isurumuni couple placed in the isurumuniya temple is an important work of art.

The Jethawanaramya stupa was built by king Mahasen, who ruled Anuradhapura it is 122 M high and the tallest stupa in the world. Jethawanaramya stupa is the third-largest structure in the ancient world, after the two largest pyramids in Giza.

The abayagiri temple was built by king walagamba, who ruled Anuradhapura.

abayagiri temple is a temple where various works of art are located.

Tissa lake, Naachaduwa lake, Abaya(basawakkulama) lake and Mahavilachiya lake are some of the lakes located in Anuradhapura. The above Tissa lake was built by king Dewanampiyatissa. abaya(basawakkulama) lake was built by king Pandukabhaya.

Sadahiruseya Temple

Anuradhapura Ancient stupa

The Rock of Mihintalaya

Mihintalaya Temple Area

Roads to Anuradhapura City 

Visitors from Colombo to Anuradhapura can come by train and public transport bus. those who want to go in groups or alone can come by taxi to Anuradhapura.

People who like to travel by train can avoid the inconvenience by looking at train travel schedules. Tourists arriving by train from Colombo can board the train bound for Anuradhapura from the Colombo fort railway station.

Sri Lanka Train seats Reservations website- https://seatreservation.railway.gov.lk

Public buses can also be availed to Anuradhapura from other parts of Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura can be reached by train from the cities where the railway stations are located. An examples of railway stations is the Kalutara railway station, Kurunegala railway station, Galegamuwa railway station, Jaffna railway station, and other railway stations. The distance from Colombo to Anuradhapura is approximately 210 KM.

Anuradhapura is a popular tourist destination so it is not difficult to find temporary accommodations or tourist hotels. But booking accommodations in advance can avoid inconveniences. It can be easily done through a website like www.booking.com

 

Come to Anuradhapura to experience the historical wonders of Sri Lanka and the wonders of places of worship.