Anuradhapura

Reflections on an ancient city of Sri Lanka

"Let not even a drop of rain water go to the sea without benefiting man".
By Parakramabahu – The Great
1153–1186 AD

Jethavanaramaya

Ruwanwelisaya

Samadhi Buddha Statue

Moonstone

ANURADHAPURA KINGDOM

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.

This great city remained the political and religious capital of Sri Lanka for 1300 years. Ranking alongside Nineveh and Babylon, Anuradhapura stood still in its colossal proportions with its four walls, 16 miles long and enclosing an area of 256 sq. miles. 

Chola  & Pandyan Invasions

This period of history marked by frequent invasions and battles with the Chola & Pandyan dynasties meant the city lost its royal glory. Monasteries were robbed of their valuables such as gold images and precious gems which were accumulated for centuries. Continuous rebellion to protect the kingdom and keep the throne resulted in Anuradhapura being eventually beseiged by the chola kings & their armies for a short period.  Anuradhapura was gradually abandoned as a kingdom, making way for Polonnaruwa to take its place of governance after the Cholas were finally defeated in battle.

Today this abandoned city is UNESCO heritage listed and rightfully so. It is now a historic site where tourists and pilgrims flock here to see the huge bell shaped stupas, temples and granite sculptures of the Buddha. Most of the damaged dagobas and viharas have now been restored to its ancient splendor. Complex irrigation systems supposedly considered the best in the world and oldest surviving reservoirs are still in use today. 

Mihintale

Mihintale

Nearly 8 miles to the east of Anuradhapura is a mountain peak called Mihintale. This is the place where a Buddhist monk called Mahinda preached buddhism to King Devanpiyatissa and his people. This king and his people became ardent followers of the Buddhist doctrine. He embraced buddhism and encouraged it as a way of life for his people.
You will see Viharas (Monasteries) and 68 caves that the King had built for buddhist monks at this site. Mihintale  is revered by buddhists who flock here during the month of poson to pay their respects to the Buddha. 

If you are passing through Mihintale it is worth stopping for a couple of hours to gain an insight into the history of this holy city.

The Chola Dynasty

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The Cholas were a constant threat to the survival of the Sinhalese kingdoms of Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Ruhuna  during the period 993 BC. It was King Vijayabahu 1 who finally defeated the Cholas and took control of Polonnaruwa and reigned as King for almost a period of 50 years.. The Cholas never attempted to invade Sri Lanka again.

The defeat of the Cholas

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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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What to see in Anuradhapura

Take a bicycle ride or hire a tuk tuk and tour the ancient city at leisure. There is much to see in this city. The ancient Bo tree – perhaps the oldest tree in the world.
There are 8 major palaces, Monasteries and monuments. There is a protective wall built by King Kirthi Sri Rajasinghe to prevent attacks by wild elephants.

Leisure Travel Sri Lanka organisers daily tours to these ancient cities. If you are interested in taking one of these tours covering the cultural triangle please make an enquiry.    

Jethavanara

Jethavanaramaya http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

The Jetavanaramaya is a stupa (a monument containing relics of the buddha) located in the ruins of Jetavana Monastery. King Mahasena (273–301 AD) started the construction of the stupa following the destruction of Mahavihara. His son Maghavanna I completed the construction.  A part of a sash or belt tied by the Buddha is believed to be the relic that is enshrined here.

The Sacred Bo Tree

The Sacred Bo Treehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

Sri Maha Bodhiya (Bodhi Tree) is a large and very old sacred Fig tree that is believed to be the oldest living tree in the world. Sanghamitta Thera brought the right branch of the Bodhi Tree (under which Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya) to Anuradhapura in 245 BC.

Lovamahapaya

Lovamahapaya http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Lovamahapaya, is a Palace or Lohaprasadaya, built by King Dutugemunu It was an edifice of nine storeys. The roof of Lovamahapaya was covered with tiles made of bronze. This palace became known as the Brazen Palace of Anuradhapura.

Ruwanwelisaya

Ruwanwelisaya http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Ruwanwelisaya, a popular tourist attraction, is a magnificent Stupa that is one of the world’s tallest monuments, with a height of 92 m and circumference of 292 m. Ruwanwelisaya dagoba of Anuradhapura is believed to have the perfect water bubble shape.

Thuparamaya

Thuparamaya http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Thuparamaya is a dagoba (a temple of veneration) in Anuradhapura with the base diameter of 18m and 3.45m in height. Thuparamaya, located in the heart of Anuradhapura is considered to be the first dagoba built in Sri Lanka following the introduction of Buddhism.

Abayagiri Dagaba

Abayagiri Dagaba http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Abhayagiri Dagaba is the largest monastery complex in the Anuradhapura kingdom. It is 108m in height is considered one of the tallest buildings of that period. The campus of Abhayagiri Dagaba is spread around 200 hectares with full components of buddhist temples and one of Sri Lanka’s finest Buddha sculpture – a Samadhi statue.

Isurumuniya

Isurumuniya http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Isurumuniya is situated near Tisawewa. It was built by King Devanampiyatissa to house 500 newly ordained children of high caste. There is a viharaya in Isurumuniya connected to a cave and above is a cliff with a small stupa built on it.

Samadhi

Samadhi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samadhi_Statue#mediaviewer/File:SamadhiStatue.JPG

This samadhi statue is situated at Mahamevuna Park in Anuradhapura.  This statue depicts the Buddha in the seated position of the Dhyana Mudra, the posture of meditation associated with Buddha’s first enlightenment, also called Nirvana. This is one of the best pieces of sculpture on the site. The statue is 8 feet (2.4 m) in height and made of granite. This is the posture of meditation in which the Buddha sits in a cross-legged position with upturned palms, placed one over the other on the lap.

Kuttam Pokuna

Kuttam Pokuna http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kuttam_Pokuna#mediaviewer/File:Anuradhapura_Kuttam-Pokuna.jpg

One of the best specimens of bathing tanks or pools in ancient Sri Lanka is the pair of pools known as “Kuttam Pokuna” (Twin Ponds/Pools). Kuttam Pokuna was built by the Sinhalese in the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura. Kuttam Pokuna are considered one of the significant achievements in the field of hydrological engineering and outstanding architectural and artistic creations of the ancient Sinhalese.

Lankarama

Lankarama http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Lankarama is a stupa built by King Valagamba, in a place at Galhebakada in Anuradhapura. Nothing is known about the ancient form of this stupa. This stupa has been restored recently.

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