Colombo Trip Overview
Visit two main sacred ruined cities in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka on this 2 days private tour from Colombo. The Anuradhapura Kingdom named for its capital city, was the first established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka and Sinhalese people. Founded by King Pandukabhaya in 377 BC, the kingdom’s authority extended throughout the country, although several independent areas emerged from time to time, which grew more numerous towards the end of the kingdom. Polonnaruwa being the second capital (846 AD-1302 AD) of Sri Lanka is a well-preserved city of ancient dagobas, moonstones, beautiful parks, massive buildings and stunningly beautiful statues. The majestic King’s Council Chamber, the Lotus Bath, the Lanka Thilaka Viharaya, the Gal Viharaya (rock temple) and the statue of one of Polonnaruwa’s great kings, Parakramabahu, are a few of this capital’s memorable sights.
Additional Info
Duration: 2 days
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 two main sacred ruined cities in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka on this 2 days private tour from Colombo. The Anuradhapura Kingdom named for its capital city, was the first established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka and Sinhalese people. Founded by King Pandukabhaya in 377 BC, the kingdom’s authority extended throughout the country, although several independent areas emerged from time to time, which grew more numerous towards the end of the kingdom. Polonnaruwa being the second capital (846 AD-1302 AD) of Sri Lanka is a well-preserved city of ancient dagobas, moonstones, beautiful parks, massive buildings and stunningly beautiful statues. The majestic King’s Council Chamber, the Lotus Bath, the Lanka Thilaka Viharaya, the Gal Viharaya (rock temple) and the statue of one of Polonnaruwa’s great kings, Parakramabahu, are a few of this capital’s memorable sights.
Itinerary
Day 1: Colombo – Anuradhapura
Stop At: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree, or Ficus religiosa, that stands in the Mahamewna Gardens in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Not only is it the closest authentic living link to Gautama Buddha, it is also the oldest human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date and a recorded history. About 2,600 years ago, Lord Gautama Buddha sat with his back against an Esathu tree on the banks of the Neranjana River in Bodhgaya, India. It was at this moment, as he sat against the tree, that the Buddha is said to have achieved enlightenment. In doing so, the tree also gained a venerated status. It became known as the Bodhi tree, and pilgrims came to see it even within the lifetime of the Buddha.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
The Ruwanwelisaya possesses a history spanning two millennia, where King Dutugemunu commissioned the construction in the 1st century BC to commemorate the unification of the island of Sri Lanka for the first time after driving out the Chola invaders out of the country. It is one of the Solosmasthana (the 16 places of veneration) and the Atamasthana (the 8 places of veneration) in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura, making it hallowed ground for Buddhist pilgrims arriving at the complex from all over the world. The architecture of the stupa is a reflection of the Buddha’s teachings, making it an artistic representation of Buddhist values.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Abayagiriya Stupa, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
The Vihara’s interesting origin story starts with King Vattagamani Abhaya also known as King Valagamba establishing the complex in 88 BC, as a symbol of his triumph over the South Indian Dravidian invaders. According to the ancient chronicles, King Valagamba who once ruled the area was driven out by seven Dravidian chiefs.
During the king’s retreat a Jain monk called ‘Geri’ cried out “The great black Sinhala is fleeing”, which prompted the king to respond “if my wish (of regaining the kingdom) is fulfilled, I will build a Temple here”. 14 years after the king’s exile, he amassed a large army and regained the kingdom after defeating the Tamil King Bhatiya. King Valagamba kept his word and constructed the magnificent spectacle known as Abhayagiri Vihara, which still stands today after facing the rigors of time for more than a 1000 years.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Jethawanaramaya Stupa, Watawandana Road B341, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
The Jetavanaramaya Stupa has history that goes all the way back to the 3rd Century AC, during the reign of King Mahasena and has quite an intriguing backstory. The structure’s origins starts from the time of King Mahasena, who was a follower of the Mahayana Buddhist tradition (1 of the 2 major branches of Buddhism), when he attempted to make the country neglect the Theravada tradition with the help of a Mahayana Buddhist monk, Sanghamitta. Previously, Theravada Buddhism was the main tradition practiced by majority of the populace, while a considerable minority practiced the Mahayana tradition. King Mahasena, brainwashed by Sanghamitta, undermined the Theravada majority by making many followers divert attention away from the ‘Mahaviharaya’ (the main temple for Theravada Buddhism in Anuradhapura).
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Isurumuniya Temple, At Royal Pleasure Gardens, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
The Isurmuniya Viharaya, which was then known as the Meghagiri Viharaya, was built by King Devanampiya Tissa of the ancient Anuradhapura Kingdom in the 3rd Century BC. It was during this time that Bhikkuni Sangamitta, Emperor Asoka’s daughter, arrived from India with the sapling of the sacred Bodhi Tree, resulting in the planting of the sapling at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, subsequently making Buddhism the official religion of the country. The Isurumuniya Viharaya is believed to be the first place in which the Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha was kept and protected for many centuries, right up until the shift of power from Anuradhapura to Polonaruwa in the 11th Century AC.
Duration: 20 minutes
Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight stay in a 3 star hotel in Anuradhapura
Day 2: Anuradhapura – Polonnaruwa – Colombo
Stop At: Polonnaruwa Vatadage, Sacred City, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
The Polonnaruwa Vatadage, also called the circular house of the relic, dates back to the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa of Sri Lanka and is believed to have been built during the reign of Parakramabahu I. This ancient structure is situated in Dalada Maluva, a quadrangular area. The area is dominated by the vatadage type of Buddhist architecture and features many elaborate stone carvings. Four Buddha statues can also be found here depicting the Dhyana Mudra.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Nissanka Latha Mandapaya, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Nissanka Latha Mandapaya is a square building with excellent rock cutting railing design in the old city of Polonnaruwa. This unique structure was built by King Nissaka Malla in Dalada Maluva area which comprises the most sacred and oldest monument in the city. In ancient days the site was used for reciting Buddhist scriptures. The edifice is a raised stoned platform with numerous stone columns encircled by low stone wall. At the middle of the platform there is a small stupa with a carved figure base. Nissanka Latha Mandapaya has many statues and pagodas in its arena.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Thivanka Image House, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
The Thivanka Pilimage was built in the 12th century by King Parakramabahu as part of the Jethavanarama Complex. Here you will find three large images of Buddha and hence the name ‘Thivanka’ that literally translates into three curves. The Buddha statue here is 8 meters in height but today the statue is partly destroyed above the head and stands 6.6 meters tall. The insides of the complex are decorated with frescoes that tell us the many Jataka Stories.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Lankathilaka Image House, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Lankatilaka Vihara is a beautiful ancient Gedige type large image that was built by King Parakramabahu. The structure has two pylons at the entrance and houses a giant Buddha statue inside. The statue measures 42 feet in height while the surrounding building walls are 53 feet high. The entire structure is made of bricks and is one of the top attractions in Polonnaruwa.
Duration: 10 minutes
Stop At: Gal Vihara, 440/225 Palm Grove State Minuwangoda road, Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Gal Vihara, also known as Gal Viharya was previously called Uttararama. It is a part of the Polonnaruwa Park and one of the most popular tourist attractions of the Central Province in Sri Lanka. As you enter Gal Vihara, you will be amazed by the huge statues of Buddha, one in sitting position, one in reclining and the third one in standing position. These are carved out of a single granite rock. You will find a fourth, much smaller Buddha figure seated inside an artificial cavern. As you observe the four statues, you will be intrigued by the claims of some people that the statue in the standing position is not of Buddha, but of the monk Ananda. Behind the statues is the stupa and the whole architecture and arrangement of the place are bound to leave an impression in your heart.
Duration: 20 minutes
Stop At: Kiri Vehera, Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
The Kiri Vehera is one of the most beautiful stupas in the country and is located in Kataragama, Sri Lanka. The stupa is believed to be built by King Mahasena and dates back to the 6th century. Kiri Vehera is one of the Solosmasthana – the 16 most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites of ancient Sri Lanka making this one of the most prominent Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the country. The stupa is 95-feet tall and is situated just north of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya.
Duration: 20 minutes
Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: No accommodation is included on this day
