Colombo Trip Overview
The scared city of Anuradhapura is a must-visit attraction of Sri Lanka cultural triangle. Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka’s first kingdom and the greatest monastic city of the ancient world. Today Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is complete with renovated monuments, restored edifices, preserved ruins and historical sites where the archeological excavations are still being continued. Anuradhapura continued to be the seat of power from the 4th Century BC to 11th Century AD. During this period, there were intermittent invasions by armies from India, but it remained the stronghold of the King of Lanka until King Vjayabahu I declared Polonnaruwa the capital city in 1070.
• Enjoy personalized attention on a private tour
• Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off
• Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with a travel guide driver
Additional Info
Duration: 12 to 14 hours
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
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What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
The scared city of Anuradhapura is a must-visit attraction of Sri Lanka cultural triangle. Anuradhapura was Sri Lanka’s first kingdom and the greatest monastic city of the ancient world. Today Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is complete with renovated monuments, restored edifices, preserved ruins and historical sites where the archeological excavations are still being continued. Anuradhapura continued to be the seat of power from the 4th Century BC to 11th Century AD. During this period, there were intermittent invasions by armies from India, but it remained the stronghold of the King of Lanka until King Vjayabahu I declared Polonnaruwa the capital city in 1070.
• Enjoy personalized attention on a private tour
• Hassle-free hotel pickup and drop-off
• Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with a travel guide driver
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Sacred to many Buddhists all over the world, the Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa, is also considered a marvel for its architectural value. It was built by King Dutugemunu who was best known for his great victory over the Chola King, Elara. It is one of the world’s tallest monuments, standing at 300 feet (91 m) and with a circumference of 950 ft (290 m). Two quarts or one Drona of the Gothama Buddha’s relics are enshrined in the stupa, which is the largest collection of his relics anywhere. Around this stupa you will also see statues made out of granite of King Dutugamunu, Queen Vihara Mahadevi (Mother of king Dutugamunu) and King Bhathika Tissa of 2nd Century
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Though it is quite hard to believe, without a shadow of doubt this tree is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world (2200 years old). It is the believed that this is a branch of the Bo beneath which the Buddha himself found Enlightenment. This was brought to Sri Lanka by Ven. Sanghamitta Therini, a sister of Arhant Mahinda – who introduced the Teachings of the Buddha to Sri Lanka. The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya today is visited annually by devout Buddhists to pay homage and perform rituals for good fortune and blessings.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Jethawanaramaya Stupa, Watawandana Road B341, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Jethawana Stupa is the largest stupa in the Sri Lanka. It was originally 400 feet (122 meters) in height and was the third tallest building in the world at that time. Even today as a brick monument, Jethawanaramaya still remains the tallest of its kind in the world.Jethawanaramaya was built by King Mahasena of Anuradhapura (276-303) was completed by his son Sirimeghavanna. A part of a sash or belt tied by the Buddha is believed to be the relic that is enshrined here. Today this stupa is going through a painful and slow conservation to bring it to its ancient glory. Even today you can see massive trees which have come up on the stupa itself on the sides where reconstruction has not started
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Abhayagiri Dagaba, Watawandana Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Visit the Abhayagiri Monastery, a vast sprawling ruin that is one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Beautifully carved moonstones from the 7th to 8th century are on display, as well as spectacular bathing ponds and intricately carved balustrades. The Abhayagiri Dagoba has been renovated over the years, with the most recent restoration taking place in the 2000s. Visually, it’s stunning, and your first glimpse of this brick monument through a gap in the surrounding forest is breathtaking. The name means ‘Hill of Protection’ or ‘Fearless Hill’. The Saddarma Rathnawaliya scripture records that a statue of a golden bull containing relics of the Buddha was buried in the core of the stupa. A large slab with a Buddha footprint can be seen on the northern side, and the eastern and western steps have unusual moonstones made from concentric stone slabs
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Isurumuniya Temple, At Royal Pleasure Gardens, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Isurumuniya temple is most famous for its stone carving which was belived to be originally stated in the Royal Botanical gardens and later brought here. The most popular carving is the stone carving of a couple which has number o beliefs. The most popular is that this carving shows the prince Saliya (the son of the great king Dutugamunu) and his mistress Asokamala. Another belief is that this couple represents the god Siva and goddess Parvathi of Hindu belief.The vihara itself is built on a rock and the sacred tooth relic of Buddha has been originally kept here when it arrived to the island from India in the 312 AC.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Moonstone or Sandakada pahana, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Moonstone is one of the most prominent fetures that can be seen near the entacrneces of most historical budhdist buildings. This is a semi circular piece of stone which stood at the foot of a flight of steps in most buddhist buildings. The outer most ring is desgined with a ring of flames, the next ring is of 4 animals ( Elephant, Horse, Bulls and Lion) . Then you can see wavy stem with foliage (“liyawela”). Next is a line of swans with a twig of flower and a leaf on their mouth. Next is again a floral pattern and at the centre is lotus with petals all around the semi circle on the moonstone.
Duration: 1 hour
