Anuradhapura Things to Do

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The famous Bo-Tree is on an elevated pavilion with a strong iron grill right round it. As you approach the peepul tree, you will notice its right branch supported by long brass poles at different levels. This is the tree that the Buddhist nun, Sanghamitta, the daughter of Ashoka the Great, brought as a sapling in the 3rd century BC from Gaya, India, the same tree under which Gautama Buddha sat and gained Enlightenment. It is the oldest authenticated tree in the world (2,250 years).You will also notice the four statues of the Buddha, one on each side of the railing. By its side is the Bodhigara or Bodhi tree Shrine. Be careful of the monkeys within the premises of this Bo-Tree. Thereafter, you can view the artefacts in the museum located across the road from the Bo-Tree complex. Quite a few rare treasures are housed in this modest one-storied building.

We paid LKR 200/- per ticket for the Bo-Tree, Museum & Library(Dec. 2011)

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Our next stop was 16 kms away at Mihintale. This is the place where Emperor Ashoka’s son, Mahinda first preached Buddhism to King Devanampiyatissa (307 BC-267 BC) in 247 BC. A pilgrimage is held here on the full moon day in June every year to commemorate this event. A very broad staircase of 1840 stone steps lead to the summit (300 m; 1,000 ft). Though the rise of the steps are hardly 6 inches, it is quite a tiring climb. At the top is a huge stupa built by King Mahadathika Mahanaga (7-19 AD), the base of which is 41 m (136 ft) in circumference.

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To round off the day, we then went to the Archaeological Museum, a treasure trove of artefacts. Established centuries ago in 437 BC, it remains closed on Tuesdays and on all Sri Lankan holidays. The timings are 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. It houses terracotta objects, paintings, coins, beads, statues and a plethora of miscellaneous items. Outside the museum there is a large collection of stone toilets used in ancient times. If you see closely, you will notice reliefs of some monasteries at the bottom of these toilets – a sardonic reference to their brother monks who liked more luxury than was warranted by Buddhism. The urinals show the god of wealth pouring coins down the outlet. Next to the ticket counter are other items, including ancient Brahmi script.

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Thereafter, you may visit Asoo Atariyan Buddha statue and Len Vihariya a short distance away. There is a huge statue of the Buddha in the classic lotus pose here. Within this complex is also the Sri Gunarathana Pilgrim’s Rest.

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Our last stop for the day was the Jetavena Stupa and Monastery built by King Mahasena (276-303 AC) in the Nandana Pleasure Garden where the son of Emperor Asoka of India, Mahinda, preached Buddhism. Subsequently, the place was named ‘Jotivana’ meaning, ‘the place where the true doctrine shines’. The present monastery covers an area of 5.6 hectares with the stupa built on a raised platform with flights of steps on all four sides. When built, it was the third tallest monument in the world, the other two being the pyramids at Giza, Egypt. At a height of 120 m (400 ft.), it is the tallest brick dagoba in the world, with exceptional engineering skill being displayed by the workers of the ancient world. Its layout, though smaller, is identical to that of the Abhayagiri monastery with the refectory revealing it was home to about 3,000 monks. The attached museum is a treasure trove of artefacts which establishes beyond doubt the close ties that Sri Lanka had with far-flung nations like China, Rome and India. It is said that it took over 25 years to build the structure and that over 90,00,000 specially-designed bricks were used in its construction.

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Next to this ruin, on the other side of the road is the Ratnaprasada or the Chapter House, earlier a five storied structure built during the reign of King Kanitthatissa (164-192 AD). Like the Lovamahapaya (The Great Copper Roofed Mansion) or the Brazen Palace used by the Mahavihara monks for confession and rectification, the Abhayagiriya monks put the Ratnaprasada or Gem Palace to similar use. A very well-preserved guard stone is placed at the entrance to this ruin. The plaque alongside reads, “Two lovers emerge from the dragon’s mouth above the cobra king, who has in his hand the pot of abundance signifying prosperity. This is said to show that fertility generates prosperity. Indulgence in worldly life is like entering the mouth of the dragon is another interpretation. It belongs to 7-9th. Century AD”.

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The Queen’s Pavilion by the side of the road and within the Abhayagiriya complex, has the finest example of a moonstone, its shape resembling a half-moon with intricate carvings. It is supposed to symbolise the endless cycle or birth-death-rebirth (outer circle) as well as a way to escape this and attain salvation (innermost circle). There are quite a few shops selling replicas of the moonstone as you descend to the Queen’s Pavilion. On your way back, they will again tout the same artefacts to you.

Our next stop was the Abhayagiri Stupa said to have been built on top of Buddha’s footprint. It is about 370 feet high. It is a part of the Abhayagiri Monastery founded by King Valagamba or Vattagamini Abhaya, a full century Before Christ, after driving out the foreign invaders from South India and regaining his throne. Legend has it that the monastery was built after demolishing a Jain temple whose chief priest had insulted the King while he was fleeing from the invaders more than a decade ago. It has an area of over 2,000 acres. The king gifted this monastery to the Buddhist monks who had helped him during his adversity.