Anuradhapura, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famous for its well preserved ruins. Anuradhapura was the first of the ancient capitals of the island of Sri Lanka continuously from the 4th century BC until 1017 AD. During this period it was the most stable centre of power and urban life in South Asia. 

 

In its prime Anuradhapura ranked beside Nineveh and Babylon in its colossal proportions in the number of its inhabitants, and the splendour of its shrines and public edifices. Its four walls, each 26 kms long, enclosed an area of 663 square kms

 

Anuradhapura suffered much during the earlier South Indian invasions and began to decline with the continuous wars. In AD 1017 the city was sacked by Chola invaders who inflicted so much destruction to the city and its complex irrigation system that it was totally abandoned. The governing capital was shifted to the relative safety of Polonnaruwa. Anuradhapura fell into decay for nearly a thousand years  It was not until the 19th century that the jungle was cleared away and the ruins laid bare by the British.

 

Today, the ancient city of Anuradhapura, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering a large area of over 40 square kms.

 

 Buddhism was first introduced this island 236 years after the passing away of the Buddha.  It was with the introduction of Buddhism, the city gained more prominence and the great building era began.  Health care and irrigation were two other aspects to which the authorities paid attention.

 

There were several hospitals in the city. The large lakes of  Nuwara Wewa and Tissa Wewa were also constructed by to irrigate paddy lands and also to supply water to the city.  Anuradhapura also had some of the most complex irrigation systems of the ancient world, situated in the dry zone of the country. Most of the many tanks to irrigate the land still survive and are some of the oldest surviving reservoirs in the world today.

 

Today, the ruins consist of three classes of buildings, dagobas,  monastic buildings, and  pokunas.

 

The dagobas are bell-shaped masses of masonry, varying from a few feet to over 1100 ft  in circumference. Some of them contain enough masonry to build a town for twenty-five thousand inhabitants.

 

Remains of the monastic buildings are to be found in every direction in the shape of raised stone platforms, foundations and stone pillars. The most famous is the Brazen Palace erected by King Dutugamunu about 164 BC. The city also contains a sacred Bo-Tree, which is said to date back to the year 245 BC.

 

 Despite the fact that some of the monuments are over a 1000 years old, Anuradhapura is a holy place with thousands of pilgrims especially during the period of the Full Moon, which is a public holiday in Sri Lanka, This is a living religion practiced in surroundings of great historic interest, and this is what makes the ancient cities of Sri Lanka both unique and fascinating.

 

 The eight Places of Veneration to see in Anuradhapura are Atamasthana Sri Maha Bodhiya, The Bodhi Tree at the Sri Maha Bodhiya is protected by several other satellite trees, Abhayagiri Dagaba.Ruwanwelisaya , Thuparamaya Lovamahapaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba , Jetavanarama ( a red mud structure which glows in the sunset) Mirisaveti Stupa and Lankarama

 

Other structures areIsurumuniya ,Magul Uyana, Vessagiri , Rathna Prasadaya , Queen's Palace Dakkhina Stupa , Sela Cetiya , Naka Vihara , Kiribath Vehera , Kuttam Pokuna ,Samadhi Statue , Toluwila Statue

 

Anuradhapura lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in the interior of the island.  It can be reached by a 2 hour drive from Sigiriya. Only 10 kms from Anuradhapura is Mihintale, considered the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka

 

Anuradhapura has been visited by us three times, in 1998, in August 2004 and in February 2009. There is a general lack of deluxe hotel accommodation in Anuradhapura. Most visitors make a day excursion from Sigiriya which has many deluxe hotels and is only 2 hours drive away. The temples which are floodlit at night, especially during the Full Moon poya day do require an overnight stay. In 2009 we approached Anuradhapura from Sigiriya and stayed at Mihintale Rest House, which is only 14 kms from the ancient ruins. In 2004 we drove to Anuradhapura from Negombo, near the international airport, via Putalam on the North Coast along a less crowded and much faster road, but this necessitates an overnight stay in Anuradhapura.