Colombo Trip Overview
Anuradhapura is the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka which lasted for the longest period as the capital in the country.It is important to locals for religion,history,and the culture and world-famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. The Civilization which was built upon this city was one of the greatest civilizations of Asia and in the world. The city now a UNESCO heritage site, Founded in the 4th century BC it was the capital of the Anuradhapura Kingdom till the beginning of the 11th century AC. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. It was also a wealthy city which created a unique culture and a great civilization. Today this ancient city of Sri Lanka, which is sacred to the Buddhist world, which its surrounding monasteries covers an area of over sixteen square miles ( 40 km²) and is one of the world’s major archaeological sites!
Additional Info
Duration: 12 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
Anuradhapura is the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka which lasted for the longest period as the capital in the country.It is important to locals for religion,history,and the culture and world-famous for its well preserved ruins of the Great Sri Lankan Civilization. The Civilization which was built upon this city was one of the greatest civilizations of Asia and in the world. The city now a UNESCO heritage site, Founded in the 4th century BC it was the capital of the Anuradhapura Kingdom till the beginning of the 11th century AC. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. It was also a wealthy city which created a unique culture and a great civilization. Today this ancient city of Sri Lanka, which is sacred to the Buddhist world, which its surrounding monasteries covers an area of over sixteen square miles ( 40 km²) and is one of the world’s major archaeological sites!
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Mihintale, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Being the cradle of Buddhism, Mihintale has been cited a key pilgrimage site for Buddhists in Sri Lanka and the world. Aside from pilgrims, tourists visit this site and climb its hill to witness the several monastic religious shrines including a grandiose 40 feet stupa which was built in the 1st century BC, paying homage to its significance. It is recommended to climb early in the morning to avoid the hot sun or if you’d like to see the beautiful sunset, it’s best to climb late afternoon.
At the base of the steps, there are ancient ruins on the roadway which are a ruined hospital and the remains of a complex of buildings. After a short flight of steps at the first landing, there is a partly ruined dagoba called Kantaka Chetiya that was built in 60 BC. This dagoba is revered for the altar piece panels with brilliant scriptures of dwarfs, geese and other figures. The Monks’ Refectory and two 10th century AD stone slabs which have the inscriptions of the rules and regulations of the monastery that is located on the second landing. Just below the refectory, a small pool crowned by a raging lion called Sinha Pokuna was revered to be one of the best pieces of carving in the country.
The final precipitous stairway leads to the Ambasthale dagoba. This dagoba was built over the spot where Mahinda met the king. There is a path from this spot leading to a higher dagoba, the Mahaseya dagoba that was believed to contain relics of Mahinda. Facing the Mahaseya on the summit of the hill is the rock called Aradhana Gala, the location of first sermon in the island by Mahinda. .At the foot of the hill topped by the Mahaseya dagoba is the Naga Pokuna or ‘snake pool’, so named because of the five-headed cobra carved on the rock face of the pool.
Surrounding the site are other ruins of a monastery, Rajagiri caves and Kaludiya Pokuna, black water pond, a complex located in the western slope of Mihintale is a fine testimony to the advanced hydraulic civilisation of ancient Sri Lanka. This complex was built by King Kassapa IV.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
After bringing Buddhism to Sri Lanka by Mahinda in 250 BC, Emperor Ashoka in India sent his daughter Sanghamitta to the island with a sapling of the Sacred Bodhi obtained from the main stem of the bodhi tree in India under which Buddha obtained enlightenment. King Devanampiya Tissa received this branch and planted it ceremoniously at the present site which is in Maha Megha Uyana – Mahamewna Park or Royal Park.
Within a short period of time since the bringing of the sapling to Sri Lanka, the original Bodhi tree in India was destroyed by Queen Thishyarakkha, a queen of Emperor Ashoka who was observing a different faith. The saplings sprouted from its roots were destroyed twice due to hostilities and natural disasters. It is a fourth generation Bodhi tree that dwells in India presently. But, this southern branch of the original Bodhi tree living in Anuradhapura, under which Gautama Buddha was seated with his back against it, is the only sacred relic in the whole world comparable to the living Buddha, which has been sanctified by the touch of the Lord Buddha and was subjected to the homage of the esteemed one himself.
It is the spiritual heart of Anuradhapura, protected by a golden railing adorned with colorful prayer flags offered by pilgrims. Although Anuradhapura was eventually abandoned as the capital of the country and taken over by the jungle, the pious people tendered to the tree and protected it through time making the Sri Jaya Maha Bodhi the most sacred and venerated site in Sri Lanka. Its importance is not restricted to the Buddhist world but also to the outside world who celebrates its fame as the oldest recorded living tree in the world.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
As the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka, Ruwanwelisaya is considered an icon of architectural glory in ancient Sri Lanka. Also known as the Great Stupa, Ruwanwelisaya was built by the victorious King Dutugemunu in 140 BC. It was his ambitious project and this stupa bears witness for its unparalleled service to revive Buddhism in the country. The compound of the stupa is characterized by a parade of elephants carved around the base of the stupa. This site was designed with the teachings of the Buddha in mind. Its dome signifies the vastness of the doctrine, the four facets above represent the Four Noble Truths, the concentric rings indicate the Noble Eight fold Middle Path, and the large crystal at the pinnacle represents the ultimate Buddhist goal of enlightenment.
It is located within a short distance from the Jaya Maha Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura. Buddhists all over the world worship this sacred stupa since it enshrines many of Buddha’s relics.
Standing tall at 388 feet with a diameter of 90 meters at the base and a circumference of 950 feet, Ruwanwelisaya is revered to be one of the world’s tallest monuments. This stupa is one of the 8 places of reverence situated in Anuradhapura which are places believed to have been visited by Buddha during his three visits to Sri Lanka. As a place of worship, shoes have to be removed to enter the area.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Thuparamaya Temple, 994W+4HX, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
This is believed to be the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka and perhaps in the whole world. It is renovated and well preserved to date. It was built by King Devanampiya Tissa (247BC – 207BC). This stupa is small in comparison to other stupas in Anuradhapura and its shape is different and unique with delicate pillars that surround the stupa which gives the place a likable charm and tranquil ambiance.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Abayagiriya Stupa, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Abhayagiri is the largest monastery complex in the Anuradhapura kingdom for it covers an area of 200 hectares. In the 1st century BC, a Sinhalese King by the name of Vattagamini Abhaya had been forced to flee and abandon his capital during a Tamil Chola invasion. While he was hiding, he heard the sarcastic ramble of a Hindu priest named Giri. “The great black lion is fleeing!”14 years later, the king came back with a robust army and trampled the occupation. In celebration, he built a monastery, and named it after himself (Abhaya) and the priest who had aroused his rage (Giri). This monastery was given to a Buddhist monk Thera Mahatissa as a gesture of appreciation for all the support he had lent to the king during his time of adversity and who had assisted him in the rebuilding of his army.
Duration: 30 minutes
