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Anuradhapura
Famous destinations in Anuradhapura
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred Buddhist site located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, and is home to one of the oldest living trees in the world. The tree is believed to be a sapling from the original Bodhi tree in India, under which Buddha attained enlightenment. It was planted in 288 BCE by Sanghamitta, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka, making it a highly revered symbol of Buddhist faith. Pilgrims from around the world visit the site to pay homage and meditate, as it is considered a place of great spiritual significance. Surrounded by a beautiful temple complex, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important Buddhist landmarks in Sri Lanka.
Ruwanweliseya
Ruwanweliseya is a magnificent stupa located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, and is one of the most significant religious monuments in the country. It was constructed in the 2nd century BCE by King Dutugemunu to commemorate his victory and to enshrine relics of the Buddha. The stupa, standing 103 meters in height, is one of the largest and tallest in Sri Lanka, known for its imposing and beautifully crafted design. It is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists, who come to pay homage to the Buddha's relics, which are housed within the stupa. Ruwanweliseya remains a key symbol of Sri Lanka's ancient Buddhist civilization and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thuparamaya Thuparamaya is the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka, located in Anuradhapura, and dates back to the 3rd century BCE. It was built by King Devanampiya Tissa to enshrine a relic of the Buddha's collarbone, making it an important site for Buddhist pilgrims. The stupa has a distinct cylindrical shape, with a simple yet elegant design, and has undergone several restorations over the centuries. Thuparamaya is one of the first Buddhist monuments constructed in Sri Lanka after the introduction of Buddhism to the island. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an iconic symbol of Sri Lanka's early Buddhist history.
Jethawanaramaya
Jetavanaramaya is an ancient Buddhist stupa located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, and was once the largest stupa in the world. It was built in the 3rd century CE by King Mahasena to house relics of the Buddha, making it an important religious site. The stupa stands at 122 meters tall and has an impressive dome, showcasing advanced engineering techniques of the time. Jetavanaramaya is part of a larger monastic complex that includes a monastery and other structures, making it a center of learning and spiritual practice in ancient Sri Lanka. Today, it remains a significant archaeological and pilgrimage site, reflecting the grandeur of Sri Lanka's ancient Buddhist civilization.
Abhayagiriya
Abhayagiriya is an ancient Buddhist monastery and stupa located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, established by King Vattagamani in the 1st century BCE. The monastery complex once housed thousands of monks and was a center of learning, with a large library and advanced architectural features. The stupa, which is one of the largest in Sri Lanka, was built to enshrine relics of the Buddha and is surrounded by a vast monastic complex. Abhayagiriya played a crucial role in the development of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and was known for its influence on the spread of Theravada Buddhism across Southeast Asia. Today, it is an important archaeological and religious site, offering insights into the grandeur of Sri Lanka’s ancient Buddhist culture.
Lovamahapaya
Lovamahapaya, also known as the "Brazen Palace," is an ancient structure located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BCE. It was originally a nine-story building with over 1,000 columns, serving as a residence for monks and a center for learning. The palace was renowned for its architectural grandeur, with a roof covered in bronze tiles, which led to its name "Brazen Palace." Although the original structure has largely been destroyed, the ruins still remain, offering insight into ancient Sri Lankan architecture. Lovamahapaya holds historical and cultural significance as a religious and educational hub during the Anuradhapura period.
Tissa Wewa
Tisa Wewa is an ancient reservoir located near the historic city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, built during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BCE. It is one of the largest and oldest irrigation tanks in the country, designed to provide water for agriculture and sustain the local population. The reservoir spans over 2,000 acres and is known for its impressive engineering, with a large bund (embankment) that retains the water. Tisa Wewa played a vital role in the agricultural prosperity of ancient Sri Lanka and remains a symbol of the island's advanced water management systems. Today, the reservoir continues to serve as a valuable water source and a picturesque spot for visitors interested in Sri Lanka’s ancient history.
Nuwara Wewa
Nuwara Wewa is a historic reservoir located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, dating back to the 1st century BCE. It was constructed by King Valagamba, making it one of the oldest and most important irrigation systems in Sri Lanka. The reservoir covers a vast area and was designed to store water for agriculture and to support the growing population of the ancient city. Nuwara Wewa is renowned for its impressive engineering, featuring an embankment and sluice gates that control water distribution. Today, the reservoir continues to be a vital water source for the region and serves as a peaceful spot for visitors to explore its historical significance.
Basawakkulama Wewa
Basawakkulama is an ancient reservoir located in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka, dating back to the 4th century BCE. It was constructed by King Pandukabaya, primarily for irrigation purposes to support agriculture in the region. The reservoir is notable for its impressive engineering, with a large embankment and a series of canals designed to store and distribute water efficiently. Over the centuries, Basawakkulama has played a crucial role in the development of Anuradhapura as an ancient capital. Today, the reservoir remains a significant historical and cultural site, attracting both visitors and researchers interested in Sri Lanka's ancient hydraulic systems.
Mihintale Temple
Mihintale is a sacred mountain and temple complex located near Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, renowned as the site where Buddhism was introduced to the island. According to legend, in the 3rd century BCE, the Buddhist monk Mahinda met King Devanampiya Tissa at this location, leading to the king's conversion to Buddhism. The temple features a series of ancient ruins, including a large stupa, monastic buildings, and a striking set of stone steps that lead to the summit. Visitors can climb the 1,840 steps to reach the top, where they are rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding area. Mihintale remains a significant pilgrimage site and a symbol of Sri Lanka's early Buddhist history.
Isurumuniya
Isurumuniya is an ancient Buddhist temple and archaeological site located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, known for its historical significance and stunning rock carvings. The temple was built in the 3rd century BCE by King Devanampiya Tissa and was originally a monastery for monks. The site is famous for the Isurumuniya Lovers, an exquisite rock carving depicting a couple, which is one of Sri Lanka's most iconic sculptures. It also features a beautiful pond, and the surrounding area has numerous ancient carvings and inscriptions that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the time. Isurumuniya remains a peaceful and revered site for both tourists and pilgrims, offering a glimpse into the island's ancient Buddhist traditions.
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred Buddhist site located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, and is home to one of the oldest living trees in the world. The tree is believed to be a sapling from the original Bodhi tree in India, under which Buddha attained enlightenment. It was planted in 288 BCE by Sanghamitta, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka, making it a highly revered symbol of Buddhist faith. Pilgrims from around the world visit the site to pay homage and meditate, as it is considered a place of great spiritual significance. Surrounded by a beautiful temple complex, Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most important Buddhist landmarks in Sri Lanka.
Ruwanweliseya
Ruwanweliseya is a magnificent stupa located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, and is one of the most significant religious monuments in the country. It was constructed in the 2nd century BCE by King Dutugemunu to commemorate his victory and to enshrine relics of the Buddha. The stupa, standing 103 meters in height, is one of the largest and tallest in Sri Lanka, known for its imposing and beautifully crafted design. It is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists, who come to pay homage to the Buddha's relics, which are housed within the stupa. Ruwanweliseya remains a key symbol of Sri Lanka's ancient Buddhist civilization and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thuparamaya Thuparamaya is the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka, located in Anuradhapura, and dates back to the 3rd century BCE. It was built by King Devanampiya Tissa to enshrine a relic of the Buddha's collarbone, making it an important site for Buddhist pilgrims. The stupa has a distinct cylindrical shape, with a simple yet elegant design, and has undergone several restorations over the centuries. Thuparamaya is one of the first Buddhist monuments constructed in Sri Lanka after the introduction of Buddhism to the island. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an iconic symbol of Sri Lanka's early Buddhist history.
Jethawanaramaya
Jetavanaramaya is an ancient Buddhist stupa located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, and was once the largest stupa in the world. It was built in the 3rd century CE by King Mahasena to house relics of the Buddha, making it an important religious site. The stupa stands at 122 meters tall and has an impressive dome, showcasing advanced engineering techniques of the time. Jetavanaramaya is part of a larger monastic complex that includes a monastery and other structures, making it a center of learning and spiritual practice in ancient Sri Lanka. Today, it remains a significant archaeological and pilgrimage site, reflecting the grandeur of Sri Lanka's ancient Buddhist civilization.
Abhayagiriya
Abhayagiriya is an ancient Buddhist monastery and stupa located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, established by King Vattagamani in the 1st century BCE. The monastery complex once housed thousands of monks and was a center of learning, with a large library and advanced architectural features. The stupa, which is one of the largest in Sri Lanka, was built to enshrine relics of the Buddha and is surrounded by a vast monastic complex. Abhayagiriya played a crucial role in the development of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and was known for its influence on the spread of Theravada Buddhism across Southeast Asia. Today, it is an important archaeological and religious site, offering insights into the grandeur of Sri Lanka’s ancient Buddhist culture.
Lovamahapaya
Lovamahapaya, also known as the "Brazen Palace," is an ancient structure located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BCE. It was originally a nine-story building with over 1,000 columns, serving as a residence for monks and a center for learning. The palace was renowned for its architectural grandeur, with a roof covered in bronze tiles, which led to its name "Brazen Palace." Although the original structure has largely been destroyed, the ruins still remain, offering insight into ancient Sri Lankan architecture. Lovamahapaya holds historical and cultural significance as a religious and educational hub during the Anuradhapura period.
Tissa Wewa
Tisa Wewa is an ancient reservoir located near the historic city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, built during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BCE. It is one of the largest and oldest irrigation tanks in the country, designed to provide water for agriculture and sustain the local population. The reservoir spans over 2,000 acres and is known for its impressive engineering, with a large bund (embankment) that retains the water. Tisa Wewa played a vital role in the agricultural prosperity of ancient Sri Lanka and remains a symbol of the island's advanced water management systems. Today, the reservoir continues to serve as a valuable water source and a picturesque spot for visitors interested in Sri Lanka’s ancient history.
Nuwara Wewa
Nuwara Wewa is a historic reservoir located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, dating back to the 1st century BCE. It was constructed by King Valagamba, making it one of the oldest and most important irrigation systems in Sri Lanka. The reservoir covers a vast area and was designed to store water for agriculture and to support the growing population of the ancient city. Nuwara Wewa is renowned for its impressive engineering, featuring an embankment and sluice gates that control water distribution. Today, the reservoir continues to be a vital water source for the region and serves as a peaceful spot for visitors to explore its historical significance.
Basawakkulama Wewa
Basawakkulama is an ancient reservoir located in the Anuradhapura District of Sri Lanka, dating back to the 4th century BCE. It was constructed by King Pandukabaya, primarily for irrigation purposes to support agriculture in the region. The reservoir is notable for its impressive engineering, with a large embankment and a series of canals designed to store and distribute water efficiently. Over the centuries, Basawakkulama has played a crucial role in the development of Anuradhapura as an ancient capital. Today, the reservoir remains a significant historical and cultural site, attracting both visitors and researchers interested in Sri Lanka's ancient hydraulic systems.
Mihintale Temple
Mihintale is a sacred mountain and temple complex located near Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, renowned as the site where Buddhism was introduced to the island. According to legend, in the 3rd century BCE, the Buddhist monk Mahinda met King Devanampiya Tissa at this location, leading to the king's conversion to Buddhism. The temple features a series of ancient ruins, including a large stupa, monastic buildings, and a striking set of stone steps that lead to the summit. Visitors can climb the 1,840 steps to reach the top, where they are rewarded with panoramic views of the surrounding area. Mihintale remains a significant pilgrimage site and a symbol of Sri Lanka's early Buddhist history.
Isurumuniya
Isurumuniya is an ancient Buddhist temple and archaeological site located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, known for its historical significance and stunning rock carvings. The temple was built in the 3rd century BCE by King Devanampiya Tissa and was originally a monastery for monks. The site is famous for the Isurumuniya Lovers, an exquisite rock carving depicting a couple, which is one of Sri Lanka's most iconic sculptures. It also features a beautiful pond, and the surrounding area has numerous ancient carvings and inscriptions that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the time. Isurumuniya remains a peaceful and revered site for both tourists and pilgrims, offering a glimpse into the island's ancient Buddhist traditions.
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Ruwanweliseya
Thuparamaya
Jethawanaramaya
Abhayagiriya
Lovamahapaya
Tissa Wewa
Basawakkulama Wewa
Mihintale Temple
Isurumuniya