Reflections on an ancient city of Sri Lanka |
Anuradhapura was once the first capital of Sri Lanka many centuries ago. I am taking you back to (437 BC – 367 BC). The kingdom was established by king Pandukabhaya. In 250 BC an Indian buddhist monk named Mahinda Thera (according to the chronicles) introduced this great ancient city to Buddhism. All of this happened during the reign of King Devanmpiyatissa.(307 BC to 267 BC.) A cutting from the Bo Tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, was also planted here at the time. |
King Vijayabahu Vijayabahu 1, a Sinhalese monarch successfully drove off the Cholas from Sri Lanka in 1070, regained the throne and re-united the country during his reign. He sent three contingents of his army to attack the occupied kingdom of Polonnaruwa. One contingent was sent along the western shores to attack Mahathittha and Polonnaruwa, another from the east across Magama and the third across Mahiyangana. After defeating the Cholas King Vijayabahu1 re-established Buddhism and repaired most of the damage caused to the infrastructure by the war with the Cholas. Polonnaruwa was established as a kingdom and centre of governance for the Sinhalese kings. Anuradhapura remained hidden in the jungle for centuries. The kingdom was left to the elements, which gradually took its toll bringing it down to ruins. British Colonialists The British discovered the ruined city in the jungle overgrowth in the 19th century, and brought it to prominence by making Anuradhapura a buddhist pilgrimage site. Today this sacred city with its palaces, monasteries and monuments keep drawing many Buddhist pilgrims and visitors to the area |
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