About Anuradhapura

Steeped in a heritage of rich history, every inch of the ancient city of Anuradhapura boasts attractions you would not want to miss. Places to visit in Anuradhapura range from great temples, monasteries and museums laden with treasures of old to intricately designed ponds and statues speaking in unison as a testament to the wisdom of the ancestors of yester year.

One of the key places to visit in Anuradhapura is the Sri Maha Bodhi or the sacred bodhi tree, which is the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world and was brought to the island by Princess Sangamitta, the sister of Mahinda who first introduced Buddhist teachings to Sri Lanka.

This ancient city of Anuradhapura also boasts some of the finest stupas in the world, including the Ruwanweli Seya, raised in the 2nd century B.C. by the great King Dutugemunu and popularly considered the greatest among stupas. Another one of the key Anuradhapura attractions is the Thuparama temple, which is known to be the oldest temple in Sri Lanka and is said to enshrine the collar-bone relic of Lord Buddha.

The third highest monument in the world at the time of the fall of the Roman empire, the Jethawana Monastery also in Anuradhapura is about 120 meters in height and was founded by King Mahasen, one of the greatest kings in the history of Sri Lanka. The largest monastery complex in Anuradhapura, the Abhayagiri stupa and monastery, was raised in the 2nd century B.C. by King Walagamba and it was an international institution by the 1st century A.D.

Some of the other main places to visit in Anuradhapura include the Archaeological Museum, the Abhayagiri Museum, the Isurumuniya lovers and the Kuttam Pokuna among many others.