Colombo Trip Overview
Visit the historical and scared city of Anuradhapura with a visit to Mihintale temple on this all inclusive tour. Without doubt the era of the Kingdom of Anuradhapura is one of the most important time periods in the history of Sri Lanka. The era began with the rule of King Pandukhabaya in 337 BC and ends with the reign of King Kassapa VII in 1055 AD. Now a World Heritage Site, this ancient city of Anuradhapura is considered sacred to the Buddhist world. It is recorded in history that the kings and queens of the late Anuradhapura period strongly supported Buddhism and that Anuradhapura was a major intellectual center of early Theravada Buddhism, home of revered Buddhist philosophers such as Buddhaghosa (5th-century Indian Theravada Buddhist commentator, translator and philosopher).
• Two way hotel transfers included
• Transportation in an air conditioned vehicle
• Local lunch with king coconut refreshments
• Explore the top highlights of Anuradhapura and Mihintale within a day
Additional Info
Duration: 11 to 13 hours
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
Visit the historical and scared city of Anuradhapura with a visit to Mihintale temple on this all inclusive tour. Without doubt the era of the Kingdom of Anuradhapura is one of the most important time periods in the history of Sri Lanka. The era began with the rule of King Pandukhabaya in 337 BC and ends with the reign of King Kassapa VII in 1055 AD. Now a World Heritage Site, this ancient city of Anuradhapura is considered sacred to the Buddhist world. It is recorded in history that the kings and queens of the late Anuradhapura period strongly supported Buddhism and that Anuradhapura was a major intellectual center of early Theravada Buddhism, home of revered Buddhist philosophers such as Buddhaghosa (5th-century Indian Theravada Buddhist commentator, translator and philosopher).
• Two way hotel transfers included
• Transportation in an air conditioned vehicle
• Local lunch with king coconut refreshments
• Explore the top highlights of Anuradhapura and Mihintale within a day
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, now standing tall was initially the southern branch from the sacred tree from Bodh Gaya, under which Lord Gautama Buddha attained eternal bliss of enlightenment. Sangamitta Maha Theree, the daughter of the great Indian Emperor Asoka was the figure behind its journey to Sri Lanka. The tree was planted by King Devanmapiyatissa, the ruler of the nation in that era, under the guidance of Mihindu Maha Thero in 288 BC in the sacred gardens of Mahamewna. The original bo tree in Bodh Gaya was destroyed due to religious conflicts that arose under the realm of a queen; since then, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi stands as the only preserved branch of the tree. Therefore, this is a consecrated and sacred place of worship for Buddhist devotees all over the world.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Ruwanweliseya Dagoba is considered a marvel for its architectural qualities and sacred to Buddhists all over the world. It was built by King Dutugemunu, who united Sri Lanka after defeating Chola King Elara. This Dagoba was known as Mahathupa, Swarnamali Chaitya, Swarnamali Mahaceti (in Pali) and Ratnamali Dagoba. Also King Dutugemunu didn’t live to see its completion of Dagoba but his final sight as he lay on his deathbed could be a false bamboo-and-cloth finish was placed around the Dagoba to show his ‘completed’ masterpiece. Today, after incurring much damage from invading Indian forces, it rises 55m, considerably less than its original height; nor is its form the same as the earlier ‘bubble’ shape. A limestone statue south of the great Dagoba is popularly thought to be of King Dutugemunu.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Isurumuniya Temple, At Royal Pleasure Gardens, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Isurumuniya is one of the most visiting places among the places to visit in Anuradhapura ancient city. Tisa Wewa. The temple stands on rock boulders and is set in picturesque and charming surroundings. There is a lotus pond at one side of the temple and there is a garden called Ranmasu Uyana next to it. The temple, built in the period of King Devanampiyatissa’s rule, is famous for the finesse carvings on the rock and grandeur settings. The Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha was first preserved here. The various sculptures on the rock include horseman, elephants, kinnaras, dwarves, lovers and the Royal family. Of these, the carving of ‘lovers’, built in the same design and style as those of the Gupta dynasty in India, is the most commended one. The sculpture, it is believed, portrays the couple, Asokamala and Saliya.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Twin Baths (Kuttam Pokuna), Watawandana Road, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Also known as the Twin Ponds, the Kuttam Pokuna is a pair of ponds built from granite slabs for the monks. The ponds along with some of the man-made tanks such as Tissa Wewa, Nuwara Wewa and Nachchaduwa Wewa depicts the traditional hydro-logical engineering used by the ancient kings. This is an improved indication of the ancient Sri Lankan Irrigation system. The pools were filled with the water which comes through underground earthenware pipes from the man made a reservoir, Basawakkulama. The water that fills to the Northern pond first flows into a filtering basin. When it has reached the enclosure limit automatically eastern one was filled through an underground pipe. This underground water supply can be seen at one end of the second bath.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Mihintale, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Mihintale is proud to be called the “the cradle of Sri Lanka’s Buddhism”, since it was at Mihintale that the ordinated Buddhist Monk Mahinda from Indian met the king of Anuradhapura for the first time and impressed him so much that the king and his family and his subordinates converted to Buddhism soon afterwards. The very first dialogue with Mahinda took place on a full moon day in the month of Poson (June) in the mid 3rd century before Christ. The very spot is marked by the Ambasthala Dagoba. The name of the king, “Tissa”, was changed to “Devanampiyatissa” after his conversion. “Devanampiya”, which translates to “God’s beloved” was the name Emperor Ashoka used in his official anouncements. According to the Sri Lankan chronicles, Ashoka was the father of Monk Mahinda.
Duration: 2 hours
