Sacred City of Anuradhapura

A UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the north central part of the island was the first capital (5th century BC – 9th century AD ) the center of the island’s Buddhist civilization and undoubtedly the grandest city of ancient Sri Lanka. In antiquity and the interest, is the equal of any ancient buried city in the world.

The oldest historically documented tree on earth ( over 2200 years.) – The sri Maha Bodhi brought as a sapling of the very same tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment and the island’s oldest Buddhist shrines some dating back to the 3rd century BC impressive white dagobas ( relic chambers ) and monuments embellished with handsome stone carvings or sculpture, pleasure gardens, beautifully executed stone baths and ponds and superb irrigation system of reservoirs and canals are the main attractions of Anuradhapura. The specific places to visit are – The Brazen Palace (2nd century BC ) with 1600 significant stone columns are the remains of a magnificent multi storied residence for monks – an engineering marvel of the time Ruwanveli seya ( 2nd century BC ) the most famous of all the dagobas originally depicted the perfect water bubble shape that modern restauration has not been able to accurately re produce. Samadhi Buddha (4th century AD ) regarded as the finest rock sculpture in the island depicting the Buddha in a state of deep meditation. Isurumuniya rock temple (3rd century BC ) known for its rock carving’s of the “lovers” – Kuttam Pokuna the twin ponds (4th century) which were used by monks of this glorious era as a bathing pool. Thuparama the oldest dagoba enshrined the right collar bone of Buddha, Mahasen Palace with itd renowned moonstone Abayagiri and Jetawana dagobas the latter said to be the largest brick built structure in the world.