Anuradhappura was the first capital of Srilanka . It has been capital of sri lanka between the 900 BC to 1100 AD. It is also one of the major places in the world to study buddhist philosophy at ancient time . In the peak time 5000 monks lived inside the Anuradhapura . Now a days Anuradhapura is divided into two parts new town and ancient secred city . In the New Town the actual population lived and in the ancient city main archaeological remains were present .
Ancient city :
This has the major parts in Anuradhapura city nowadays. Here you can find different stupas , archaeological remains of older kingdoms and also the sacred bodhi tree . This tree is the earliest plantation of a tree in human history and was taken from the tree , actually under which banyan tree , buddha got enlightened. There has been more than 30 places to visit in sacred city Anuradhapura . Lots of buses , full of pilgrims come here to respect Buddha and learn his teaching. I have rented a bicycle to tour the city , still I can’t finish all spots in a day . It is such a huge area , that inside the ancient city there might be 20-30 km road. Some family still lives inside the ancient city . Major spots are beside the circular road around the lake Thissa Wewa . Major spots I have visited were
Sri Mahabodhi tree :
This is the most secred place in the Anuradhapura city . This tree sample was taken here by king ashok’s daughter Sanghamittra from India . This is the sample from the same banyan tree under which buddha got enlighten. This tree is more than 2000 year old and also the earliest plantation in human the history.
Ruwanwelisaya :
This is a stupa where half of the buddha’s relics were stored. This is also known as the Mahastupa . This is one of the holiest place in Anuradhapura and one single place where largest amount of the buddha’s relics was stored .
Jetavanaramya :
This is the world’s largest Buddhist stupa , situated in the ancient city of Anuradhapura . It is 122 m height and build by two generations of Kings . When It was build it was the 3 rd tallest structure in the world. This stupa and the Abhaygiri stupa looks like same but I identify it by the broken head .
Twin Ponds :
This is a very beautiful place to visit . Here lots of tourist gather to see the ponds made with rock structure . Some dragon faces are there from which freshwater comes in the joint pool.
Abhaygiri Stupa:
This is second largest and one of the oldest Stupa in Anuradhapura . When it was built it’s height was 400ft . It was build in 1 Century BC . This is the place, near to which most of the monks lived. It looks same to jetavanaramya . I identify it only with the head spike . Here in abhaygiri stupa it is in perfect shape and in Jetavanaramya it is broken from the top.
Refractory :
Refractory is a place where in ancient time food is prepared for the Monks . Here in Anuradhapura , at that time 5000 monks were lived . They come here to take the morning breakfast and the lunch .
Elephant Pond :
There is a huge pond situated just near to the Refectory . People said that this was the bathing place for the monks. All sides of the pond is perfectly made by rocks bolders and have stairs to reach to the water.
Moonstone:
Moonstone is a semicircular structure situated in front of every buddhist temple with some intricate carving on the stone . Moonstone were build around 7-8 century . In sinhala it is called “Sandakada Pahana ” . Somebody said it is just like a foot cleaner before entering to the temple but someone tell me the meaning of this Anuradhapura moonstone. This sandakada Pahana is a symbol of life and death circle (four animal elephant , lion, horse and bull symbolise this thing )and the way toward nirvana (central lotus symbolise).
Guard Stone :
In the entrance of every temple there was two guard stone in both side of the stair with some god, demon structure in a nearly eleptical stone . This stones are called “Murugala”
ThupuRamaya :
This is one of the oldest stupa in the Srilanka , constructed in 3rd century BC . After samrat Ashok’s messenger Mahindra came here , this temple was built . Here the stupa have a shape like a bell.
Isurumuniya Rajamaha Viharaya :
This is also a place in the ancient city of Anuradhapura . There is some rock carving which were very interesting to see . There is also a cave like structure here . People go on the top of this big rock . Inside the museum there have been lots of rock curving structure .
Dakhina Stupa :
Before entering to the Maha Bodhiya there you find a old stupa . This stupa is in the left hand side when entering toward Mahabodhiya . This is not properly maintained . This is called Dakhina Stupa .
How to reach to Anuradhapura ?
Anuradhapura is a ancient city and the first capital of sri lanka . Now the main population is concentrated around the new Town .
Anuradhapura is well connected by bus to the other Sri Lankan city . Both SLTB and private buses operate from Anuradhapura to Colombo , kandy , dambulla ,galle and jaffna .
From Anuradhapura rail station it has direct train towards Jaffna , Galle and colombo . Third class tickets are available 30 mins before the train departure . There is very few difference between third and 2 nd class , You will find more coaches are allocated to third class . In my opinion better to book a third class ticket rather than 2nd class booking . For train time enquiry I use Train Sri Lanka app ….. it shows the time table of all sri lankan train but there is frequent train cancellation so please enquire in the station before the train journey otherwise you may be disappointed sometimes .
Nearest airport to Anuradhapura is sigiriya airport . For entry into sri lanka best airport is colombo airport .
How to travel anuradhapura old city ?
This old city is far more bigger than the new town . Inside the old town , there is more than 20 km of road . You may hire a tuk tuk to tour the ancient city or may take a guide . This guide may have their private vehicle , on that you may tour the city . In Polonnuwa I travel the ancient city like this way . I personally rent a bi-cycle and tour the city . First I put all the location I want to travel in the google map and then go places one by one . I think this is the best way to tour for the budget travellers . My cycle cost only 500 lkr for a day but it may be in 300 LKR if you bargain. A complete day is required to completely explore Anuradhapura old city .
In old city there is very few restaurant , so better to take water and some food with you rather than becoming hungry.
Entry Ticket :
Entry ticket for the Anuradhapura old city is free for sri lankans but for foreigner, it is $25 . only for the SAARC countries, it is $12.50. You can buy the entry ticket either in online or in the gate of the sacred city.
Key Points to remember:
- One thing to remember , In whole sri lanka most of the hotels and shop closes before 8 PM . After 8 pm you don’t find any public transport. Anuradhapur area wise , is a very small city so you find , no or very few people walking after sundet . So better to finish your all work before sunset.
- In sri lanka white is very auspicious color . They mainly prefer to wear white when they enter in a buddhist temple .
- There is One cargills food city (supermarket ) inside the city . Here you can get any typres of fruits , vegetables , fish , meat and outher grocery items .
- Here you can have a bi cycle tour around the old city . There have been lots of bi cycle renting shop in the old city .
- For SAARC countries people , for getting concession rates toward anuradhapura old city , please carry your original passport or atleast a copy of a passport
