Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with FacebookLatest Anuradhapura hotel reviews
Pro
historic sights, important place of Buddhist pilgrimage
Con
too hot!!!
In a nutshell
An ancient cultural triangle that displays centuries of rich culture throughout the island
anilpradhanshillong Says: The same act of abdication of the throne of Britain by the King-Emperor Edward VIII to marry Mrs. Wallis Simpson, a twice-divorced American socialite, in December 1936, was done by King Dutugemunu's son, Saliya for his beloved, low-caste maiden, Asokamala, many centuries ago...
Emperor's Daughter's Gift to Ceylon
anilpradhanshillong Says: 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...
anilpradhanshillong Says: 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...
anilpradhanshillong Says: 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,...
The Asoo Atariyan Buddha statue & Len Vihariya
anilpradhanshillong Says: 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.
anilpradhanshillong Says: 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...
anilpradhanshillong Says: 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...
anilpradhanshillong Says: 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...
anilpradhanshillong Says: 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...
Ancient Engineering Skill-The Twin Ponds
anilpradhanshillong Says: The Kuttam Pokuna or Twin Ponds are a marvel of ancient engineering skill, built during the reign of King Agbo I (576-608 AD). They served the bathing purpose of the monks of Abhaygiri Monastery. The two ponds are not exactly of the same dimension. The southern one is 132...
anilpradhanshillong Says: 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...
anilpradhanshillong Says: 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...
anilpradhanshillong Says: 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...
euzkadi Says: 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.
3 Reviews and 154 Opinions The Palm Garden Village is like a colonial club, but one with a relaxed and freestyle-air. It was...
160 Opinions
euzkadi Says: If you have enough time, maybe the best way to visit the complex is by bicycle. Long dirty roads along big lakes, visiting the most remote ruins of the city is a great experience. There are some places in Anuradhapura new city to rent them.
Next to the Twin Ponds is a quaint shop (Jayamini Lace Centre) selling intricately-crafted lace items. The lady stocks table mats, bed sheets, shopping bags, souvenirs made of wood and of bamboo. Next door is a cold drink stall.
What to buy: Lace table clothes, covers, local curios, paintings, cushion covers, bags, dolls, table mats, foodstuffs.
Updated Jan 28, 2012
Phone: 072-5923083
The first day i used a guide to visit the complex, i had some good conversations with him; he was studiying tourism and was a Buddhist monk, he gave me some interesting opinions about Buddhism and Sri Lanka, he also showed me the main interesting spots in the site. The next day i wandered throught the ruins by myself with a bicycle.
Updated Dec 21, 2010
When you buy your ticket to the tourist spots of Anuradhapura at the counter situated within the premises of the Archaeological Museum, you may request for a half day ticket for one day and another half day ticket for the next day (You have to produce your passport before the tickets are issued for a concession if you are from one of the SAARC nations). Else, they will issue you a full day ticket for one day only. While this may be sufficient if you are there for only a day, this rush-rush sight-seeing will surely rob you of the nuances of each of the tourist spots that the place has to offer.
We paid LKR 1,439.50 (US$ 12.50) per ticket for the two days (Dec. 2011).
Unique Suggestions: Abhayagiriya section
Abhayagiriya stupa
Queen’s Palace and Moonstone
Ratnaprasada (Chapter House)
First Samadhi Buddha Image and Bodhighara
Twin Ponds
Mahavihara section
Lovamahapasda (Brazen Palace)
Sri Maha Bodhi Tree and Shrine
Ruwanavelisaya
Updated Jan 28, 2012
hydronetta Says: Anuradhapura is covered by the cultural triangle ticket (unfortunately not all notable sites within it), otherwise it’s a mere >$15 entrance fee. Some visitors are said to roam freely as the area is large and not guarded but as soon as you reach the Samadhi Buddha you’ll...
hydronetta Says: Paying separate entrance for Anuradhapura may add a lot in your budget (around $15 !!), so it is wise enough and a good value to get the rather expensive (by Sri Lankan standards) Cultural Triangle ticket. This cost around 40$ (!!) and covers six sights (Anuradhapura,...
Sponsored Links
The Ancient City of Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is one of the ancient cities that make up the cultural triangle. While a day of sightseeing here is certainly worthwhile, there are several other sights in the triangle that I would rate...
Anuradhapura was established around a cutting from the 'tree of enlightenment', the Buddha's fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns....
Anuradhapura was the capital of Sri Lanka from 380 BC to the 10th century AD. Visits to most of the sites are included in a Cultural Triangle round trip ticket.
Ancient Capital of Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
This 42 1/2 feet (13 meters) high statue carved out of solid granite, goes back to the 5th century, to the reign of King Dathusena. On a rainy day, it is said, that one can see droplets of water...
Once a great city, now ruins and a modest new town lying in the centre of the island, Anuradhapura represents the golden age of Sinhalese culture. It was at its time (almost 1000 years ago one of the...
Build your own Anuradhapura page
Sponsored Links
Comments