Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Anuradhapura, ( in Sinhala, in Tamil),

is

one

of

the

ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan
civilization.

The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km

north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, on the
banks of the historic Malvathu Oya. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited
cities in the world and one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the
11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable
centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered
sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area
of over sixteen square miles (40 km).

Protohistoric Iron Age

Although according to historical records the city was founded in the 5th century BC,
the archaeological data put the date as far back as the 10th century BC. Very little
evidence was available about the period before the 5th century BC (i.e. the
protohistoric period), though excavations have revealed information about the
earlier inhabitants of the city.
Further excavations in Anuradhapura have uncovered information about the
existence of a protohistoric habitation of humans in the citadel. The protohistoric
Iron Age which spans from 900 to 600 BC, marked the appearance of iron
technology, pottery, the horse, domestic cattle and paddy cultivation. In the time
period 700 to 600 BC the settlement in Anuradhapura had grown over an area of at
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least 50 ha. The city was strategically situated of major ports northwest and
northeast, it was surrounded by irrigable and fertile land. The city was also buried
deep in the jungle providing natural defence from invaders.

Lower Early Historic period

The Lower Early Historic period, spanning from 500 to 250 BC, is studied on the lines
of the chronicles. During this time King Pandukabhaya formally planned the city,
with gates, quarters for traders etc. The city at the time would have covered an area
of 1 square kilometre which makes it one of the largest in the continent at the time.

Sri Maha Bodiya

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is in Mahameuna park in Anuradhapura. It was planted in 249 BC, the regal period
of king Devanampiyatissa. This the southern branch of the Sri Maha Bodhi at Boddagaya in India under
which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment. Theri Sangamitta brought Sri Maha Bodhi to Sri lanka. It
happened in Esala full moon day in 249 BC. After that many kings built walls and gateways to protect the
Sri Maha Bodhi. And also bodhi terrace and statues of Lord Buddha built by kings. Nowadays there are
two golden fences around the Sri Maha Bodhi. This is the oldest surviving historical tree in the world.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya

Lovamahapaya
Lovamahapaya is a building situated between Ruvanveliseya and Sri Mahabodiya in
the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is also known as the Brazen Palace or
Lohaprasadaya because the roof was covered with bronze tiles.In ancient times, the
building included the refectory and the uposathagara (Uposatha house). There was also
a simamalake where the Sangha assembled on Poya days to recite the sutra of the confessional. The
famous Lohaprasada built by King Dutugemunu, described as an edifice of nine stories, was a building of
this class. One side of the building was 400 ft (120 m) in length. There are 40 rows, each row consisting of
40 stone pillars, for a total of 1600 pillars. It is believed that it took six years for the construction of the
building and the plan was brought from the heavens. The building was completely destroyed during the
reign of King Saddhatissa. The small building in the center is late construction and is the Venue of
Uposatha (chapter house)of the Maha Vihara even now.

Lovamahapaya

Ruwanwelisaya
The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa in Sri Lanka, considered a marvel for its architectural
qualities and sacred to many Buddhists all over the world. It was built by King
Dutugemunu, who became lord of all Sri Lanka after a war in which
the Chola King Elara, was defeated. It is also known as Mahathupa, Swarnamali
Chaitya, Suvarnamali Mahaceti (in Pali) and Rathnamali Dagaba.
The stupa is also one of the Solosmasthana (the 16 places of veneration) and
the Atamasthana (the 8 places of veneration in the ancient sacred city
of Anuradhapura). The stupa is one of the world's tallest monuments, standing at
300 feet (91 m) and with a circumference of 950 ft (290 m).
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The Kaunghmudaw Pagoda in Sagaing, Myanmar is modeled after this stupa.

Ruwanwelisaya

Mirisawetiya Stupa
More than 2100 years old, Mirisawetiya is one of the most ancient Dagabas in Sri
Lanka . Built by the great king Dutugemunu, this Maginficant Structure is a must see
for any visitor to the sacred city of Anuradhapura.
It is believed that the great king Dutugemunu made many wishes here that have
come true during his lifetime.
King Dutugemunu built it as a Dagoba of the "Mahavihara" fraternity but as the
monks started living there, it sees that Mirisawetiya developed as a separate
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monastery. However it is believed that it would have functioned as a monastery

belonging to the Mahavihara Fraternity.
Several Kings, at different intervals made renovations to the Dagaba. Among them
are King Gajabahu 1 (112-134 AC), and King Voharika Tissa (214-236 AC).

Mirisawetiya Stupa

Abhayagiriya Stupa
Made by king Valagambahu. Forth Son of King Saddathissa. Built in 1st century BC it
stands at 74.98 metres to the tip of the damaged spire. It is the second largest stupa
in the island today. According to the 5th century traveller Chinese monk Fa-Hsien's
descriptions, this stupa has been 400 feet (122 metres) in height and has been
decorated with gold and silver and studded with all kinds of jewels.

Abhayagiriya Stupa

Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds/Pools)

One of the best specimen of bathing tanks or pools in ancient Sri Lanka is the pair of
pools known as Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds/Pools). The said pair of pools were built
by the Sinhalese in the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura. These are considered one
of the significant achievements in the field of hydrological engineering and
outstanding architectural and artistic creations of the ancient Sinhalese.
A garden was landscaped which separates the two ponds which long is 18 ft. The
larger pool of the two is 132 ft by 51 ft, while the smaller pool is 91 ft by 51 ft. The
depths of the two pools is 14 ft and 18 ft for the smaller pool and the larger pool
respectively.
The faces of the pools were cut granite slabs which includes the bottom and the
sides of the pool. A wall was also built around the pool which encloses the
compound. Flights of steps are seen on both ends of the pool decorated with
punkalas, or pots of abundance and scroll design. Embankments were constructed to
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enable monks to bathe using pots or other utensils. Water to the pools were
transferred through underground ducts and filtered before flowing to the pool and in
a similar fashion the water was emptied.
Dr. Senerath Paranavithana was actively involved in the restoration of the ponds, in
which small figures of fish, a conch, a crab and a dancing woman were found in the
bottom.

Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds/Pools)

Sandakada Pahana
Sandakada pahana, also known as Moonstone, is a unique feature of the Sinhalese
architecture of ancient Sri Lanka.It is an elaborately carved semi-circular stone slab,
usually placed at the bottom of staircases and entrances. First seen in the latter
stage of the Anuradhapura period, the sandakada pahana evolved through the
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Polonnaruwa, Gampola and Kandy periods. According to historians, the sandakada

pahana symbolises the cycle of Samsara in Buddhism.

Sandakada Pahana

Thuparamaya
Thuparamaya is a dagoba in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist sacred place
of veneration.Thera Mahinda, an envoy sent by King Ashoka himself introduced Theravada Buddhism
and also chetiya worship to Sri Lanka. At his request King Devanampiyatissa built Thuparamaya in which
was enshrined the collarbone of the Buddha. It is considered to be the first dagaba built in Sri
Lanka following the introduction of Buddhism. This is considered the earliest monument, the construction
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of which was chronicled Sri Lanka. The name Thuparamaya comes from "stupa" and "aramaya" which is
a residential complex for monks.

Thuparama Stupa
Thuparamaya dagoba has been built in the shape of a heap of paddy. This dagoba
was destroyed from time to time. During the reign of King Agbo II it was completely
destroyed and the King restored it. What is seen presently is the construction of the
dagoba, done in 1862 AD. As of today, after several renovations, in the course of the
centuries, the monument has a diameter of 59 ft (18 m), at the base. The dome is
11 feet 4 inches (3.45 m) in height from the ground, 164 ft (50.1 m) in diameter.
The compound is paved with granite and there are 2 rows of stone pillars round the
dagaba. During the early periodvatadage was built round the dagoba.

Jethawana Stupa
The Jethawana stupa, the central ritual monument of the Jethawana monastery, had
a diameter of 370 feet. Established in the 3rd century A.D., the monastery was the
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residence of 3,000 monks. Recent excavations confirm that the foundation of the
stupa was 28 feet deep and rested on bedrock. This stupa, the tallest brick structure
in the world, was built in keeping with engineering principles which are followed
even today. At the time of the collapse of the Roman Empire, and counting this
phase to be the end of the ancient world, this edifice was only second to two other
taller structures - Pyramids 1 and 2 in Egypt, the taller of which was 483 feet. The
Jethawena stupa is the tallest brick structure in the world.

Jethawana Stupa

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Jethawana Stupa Wahalkada

Isurumuniya
The temple was built by King Devanampiyathissa who ruled in the ancient Sri Lankan capital
of Anuradhapura. After 500 children of high-caste were ordained, Isurumuniya was built for them to
reside. King Kasyapa I (473-491 AD) renovated this viharaya and named it as "Boupulvan, Kasubgiri
Radmaha Vehera". This name is derived from names of his 2 daughters and his name. There is a viharaya
connected to a cave and above is a cliff. A small stupa is built on it. It can be seen that the constructional
work of this stupa belong to the present period. Lower down on both sides of a cleft, in a rock that appears
to rise out of a pool, have been carved the figures of elephants. On the rock is carved the figure of a horse.
The carving of Isurumuniya lovers on the slab has been brought from another place and placed it there. A
few yards away from this vihara is the Ranmasu Uyana.

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Isurumuniya lovers

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Isurumuniya

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Isurumuniya King's Family

Lankarama
Lankarama is a stupa built by King Valagamba, in an ancient place at Galhebakada
in the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Nothing is known about the
ancient form of the stupa, and later this was renovated. The ruins show that there
are rows of stone pillars and it is no doubt that there has been a house built
encircling the stupa (vatadage) to cover it. The round courtyard of the stupa seems
to be 10 feet (3 m) above the ground. The diameter of the stupa is 45 feet (14 m).
The courtyard is circular in shape and the diameter is 1332 feet (406 m).

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Lankarama Stupa

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