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The Buddha Samadhi is also not very far off. A row of shanty shops, selling flowers, garlands and incense sticks, line the way to the 2 m (6.5 ft.) Buddha statue, carved during the 4th century. The hollow eyes suggest an inlay of some precious stones which may well have been taken out over the years. Behind the statue is yet another one, headless this time, in the lotus pose. Its head appears to have fallen off or may have broken or damaged and lies is on the ground. A sign warns tourists from standing with their backs to the statue while being photographed. The air is serene, tranquil, calm and quiet. A lady meditates undisturbed under a tree totally oblivious to her surroundings, a group of monks, with shaven heads, recite from a holy book nearby, a bunch of tourists click away while their guide quietly rattles off fact interspersed with fiction.
Written Jan 12, 2012
A short distance away is the Ruwanveli Seya or Ruwanveli Dagoba. It is a huge white dome, built in the shape of a bubble of water by King Dutugamunu (101-77 BC). Legend has it that the construction of this monument was prophesied by Emperor Ashoka’s son, Mahinda, the man who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka when King Devanampiya Tissa (250-210 BC) ruled over Sri Lanka. It is said that after the benevolent King Dutugamunu declared that no work in the building of the stupa would go unrewarded, silver was discovered in a village, which was fittingly renamed Ridigama or village of silver.
The dagoba stands at a height of 180 ft and is 370 ft in circumference. The king’s statue is at the eastern entrance to the stupa. For a detailed history of the monument, look to your left, past the statue of the king as you walk towards the dome. The front portion of the row of stones is in Sinhalese; go to the back of the stones for the English translation.
Updated Jan 12, 2012
After you remove your shoes and walk towards the Bo-Tree, the Lovamahapaya (The Great Copper Roofed Mansion) or the Brazen Palace will be to your left. Though in ruins, you will notice its regal appearance and all that goes with royalty. Now, only 1,600 stone pillars in 40 rows remain of the nine-storied structure which, in days of yore rose to a height of 150 feet. A shining copper plated roof slanted down on all four sides housing some 1,000 rooms during the reign of King Dutugamunu. This was the confession hall of the Mahavihara, where the future monks would meet and recite the rules of discipline.
Updated Jan 11, 2012
Originally from Sri Lanka, this macaque is also very popular in the archeological sites. Also found in large troops, this macaque is very easy to recognize due to it´s characteristic cap of hair, and it´s blue eyelid, are less aggressive than the Lagurs.
Updated Dec 21, 2010
It´s very common to find monkeys in the ancients ruins around Sri lanka. The Grey Lagur with its black face is maybe the most common monkey in the island. They are revered and believed to be incarnations of the Hindu monkey God Hanuman. They are medium-sized monkeys and are found in large troops and can be aggressive (well, this lady really was).
Written Dec 21, 2010
This wonderful Stupa (once the tallest constuction in the world) was the first building in visited in the complex. It´s 122meters in height, and was constructed by the King Mahasena in the second century AD. It was built using baked bricks (a composition of 60% fine sand and 35% clay) and finally coverd with lime plaster; a part of a sash or belt tied by Lord Buddha is believed to be the relic that is enshrined here. Originally was part of the Jetavana Monastery wich housed 10,000 Buddhist monks during it´s glory days.
Updated Dec 21, 2010
This interesting Buddha statue made of granite (from the 3rd-4th century) was found in 1886, and is located at Mahamevuna Park. The statue is 7 feet and 3 inches in height (2.20 meters) and was depicted in the position of the Dyana Mudra (meditation to ensure Nirvana).
Updated Dec 18, 2010
This huge man made pond located near Lankaramaya is 159 meters in length, and gets its waters from the
Periyamkulama Tank through underground channels. It was used by the monks of the Abhayagiri Monastery.
Updated Dec 15, 2010
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Maybe the most sacred and visited spot in Sri Lanka. The Sri Maha Bodhiya is a compound of temples, guard stones and balustrades that protects the revered Bodhi tree. This tree is an orginal shoot of the old and sacred Bodhi tree located in Bodh Gaya (India) under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. This sapling of the original tree was brought in Sri Lanka by the Theri Sengamitta (daughter of the emperor Asoka) and planted in Anudaraphura in 249 BC by the King Devanampissa. Is the world oldest human planted tree with a known planting date. It was planted in a special platform known as a Bodhigara; there are few remains of the original temple, the new temple and constructions around were later adittions. The tree is encircled by a gold-plated railing festooned with flags and other strips of cloths left by the pilgrims. It´s not possible to touch the tree but a good souvenir is a leaf fallen from it.
Updated Dec 15, 2010
One of the most beautiful constructions in Anaradhapura, these bathing ponds are not twins ( are positioned in such a way that they appear almost the same) one is larger (132ft large and 51 ft wide) and the other is smaller (91ft by 51 ft) and were built by the Sinhalese in 6th-8th centuries. They were built in granite, flight of steps are located on both ends of the pools decorated with Punkalas (pots of abundance). The water was channelled to the ponds by a sophisticaded system of filtration and was used as a bathing place by the monks of Abhayagiri Monastery in northern part of the city.
Updated Dec 14, 2010
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