22 November 2024 | 12 min
22 November 2024 | 12 min
Anuradhapura is one of the oldest yet continuously inhabited cities in the world and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognised for its religious significance. It was recognised as the first capital of Sri Lanka dating back to the 4th century BCE. It is a city that was highly influenced by kings as it was ruled over by kings for over 1300 years, shaping both the political and religious backdrop of this city. It is famous for its vast irrigation systems and various spiritual sites and locations like Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanwelisaya and around 1000 monasteries like Abhayagiri. Below are a few must visit locations in the ancient city of Anuradhapura.
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree in Anuradhapura that is grown from the cutting of the original Bodhi tree in India. It is one of the oldest trees in the world and it is considered as one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Sri Lanka.
Ruwanwelisaya Stupa is one of the oldest and largest stupas in Sri Lanka that was built in 2nd Century BCE by a very honoured king of Sri Lanka. It is a main focal point for archaeological studies. It is architectured in a dome shape that symbolises the mind of Lord Buddha.
Polonnaruwa is a city that rose as the capital of Sri Lanka from 11th to 13th century after the fall of Anuradhapura kingdom. It is also recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site It showcases many ruins of famous ancient temples and locations like the Royal Palace Complex, Vatadage and Gal Viharaya.It is a city that made a huge cultural impact by spreading buddhism cultural practices and a pilgrimage that conducted trade activities and attracted hundreds of monks and traders from across Asia. Below are a few locations that you shouldn't miss when visiting the ancient city of Polonnaruwa.
Gal Viharaya is a rock temple complex that was primarily recognised as a worship and meditation site built in the 12th century.It houses four impressive granite Buddha statues that define different postures like seated, standing and reclining. It is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Budhists.
Parakrama Samudraya is a 2500 hectare ancient reservoir and it is also known as the ‘Parakrama Ocean’ as it was constructed by the great king Parakramabahu I in the 12th century. It demonstrated very impressive engineering mastery that prevailed during the time and it greatly contributed towards crop cultivations and the kingdom's economy.
Vatadage also known as the quadrangle is a circular relic house and one of the best examples for the great ancient architecture in Polonnaruwa. It is famous for its great architecture of unique circular shape, stone carvings and beautifully carved stone pillars. It is a major pilgrimage for Buddhists in Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya is a rock fortress and a palace built by King Kashyapa in the 5th century and it is a major tourist attraction of Sri Lanka as it is a very famous UNESCO World Heritage Site that is recognised for its cultural and historical significance. The rock fortress rises nearly 200 metres tall and has many unique features like beautiful gardens, ponds, water fountains and famous frescoes. Below are a few main aspects of Sigiriya that take the attention of many visitors.
The lion's paw entrance is a grand stairway entrance for the Sigiriya rock fortress. Although it only shows the lion's paws at present, it is believed that it had the full lion sculpture formerly.
The most famous fresco of Sigiriya demonstrates Sigiriya damsels that are believed to be heavenly maidens that symbolises divinity, beauty and fertility.
The beautifully landscaped Royal Garden of the rock fortress features water features, ponds, pathways, floral arrangements and water fountains representing a paradise on earth as desired by the king who built it.
Dambulla Cave Temple Complex is one of the largest cave temple complexes in Sri Lanka featuring five main interconnected caves built to occupy many statues and paintings and it houses over 150 Buddha statues along with statues of kings and other gods. It was declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site considering its cultural and historical significance. It is a symbol and pilgrimage for the country’s rich buddhist heritage attracting many devotees and tourists annually. The Maharaja Viharaya that is also known as the Maharaja Cave is the largest cave in the Dambulla Cave Temple Complex and it houses one of the largest reclining Buddha statues in Sri Lanka is a must visit place in this location.