Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura

Sri Lanka’s top-ranked historical city of Anuradhapura, located in the dry zone, was the first Sinhalese capital of Sri Lanka. It is situated 206 km away from the main city Colombo and is a frequently visited place by both the locals and the foreign visitors.

The sacred City of Anuradhapura is a significant place in Sri Lanka for all history lovers. Hundreds and thousands of years of civilization reminiscing the glorious days of ancient Sri Lanka. Spill over the city or more of this large village are a rich collection of architectural and archaeological marvel. Huge dagobas (brick stupas), ancient ponds and puddles, decayed and collapsed temples that are constructed during Anuradhapura’s lime light under Sinhaleese Kings reveal the absolute splendor that once dominated this realm from 377 BC to 1017 AD.

Even in the present day, most of these places are being used as temples or places of worshiping especially by the Buddhist community in Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura has been used as the capital city of the island by 113 kings of Sri Lanka. The city has been restored to life in 1872, and a new city of Anuradhapura was built alongside the old in 1957 and the old city has been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sri Maha Bodhi (the Sacred Bo Tree), considered the recorded oldest surviving tree in the world is one of the top attractions in Anuradhapura. It is believed to have sprung from a sapling of the Bo Tree under which the Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The seated Samadhi statue of the meditating Buddha, Kuttam Pokuna also known as Twin ponds, Manu Temples and Isurumuniya are some of the other key places to visit.

Apart from these treasured historical places, Anuradhapura is a perfect spot for meditation and a slow-paced holiday. Even the breeze coming through the surrounding wilderness and huge tanks are having a sense of spiritual healing for depleted and exhausted modern day tiring, nerve-racking lives.