Anuradhapura(m)
Overview
Anuradhapura Kingdom Ruins
The recorded history specifically on the island begins with the name of King Pandukabhaya in 377 BC in this ancient city of Anuradapura (Anuradapuram in Tamil).
However the history of the island goes as far as 9,600 BC, what was known as the “Thamil Sangam Period”, a period of the history of today’s Thamil Nadu, Kerala, parts of Andhra Pradesh in South India, and Sri Lanka collectively known as “Thamilagam”.
What is worth noting is that King Pandukabhaya was a Hindu and a worshiper of Lord Siva and spoke Tamil because he named his son “Mootha Siva” (Mootha meaning Elder, and Lord Siva is very closely associated with the Dravidian/Indus Valley Civilisation). His son was King Thevanampia Theesan.
King Theesan (Tissa) a Dravidian (Thiravidan) embraced Buddhism during his reign 247 BC – 207 BC. Most of his subjects subsequently embraced Buddhism giving rise to the “Thiravida (Theravada)” Buddhism Sect practiced in Sri Lanka, and most of Southeast Asia today.
Anuradhapura is regarded as the cradle of “Theravada Buddhism,” a sacred city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of eight sites on the island. Home to a vast network of temples, Dagobas (domed-shaped Buddhist shrines), and monasteries, which can be explored at leisure during a half a day tour.
Discover the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree which is said to be a sapling of the Bodhi Tree under which the Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The Bodhi Tree is found in Mahavihara, the Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba (stupa).
Also to be visited are the Royal Palace Ruins in Anuradapura and Thuparamaya Dagoba, thought to be Sri Lanka’s first dagoba. This is the most ancient part of the old city and a good point to start the tour of the city.
There is Jetavanarama Dagoba, the red brick dagoba originally stood over 330 ft, making it the third tallest monument in the world after the Egyptian pyramids. Allow time to walk around the ruins of the monastery complex here, as well as the former Royal Palace and the 20th-century Jetavanarama Museum. At Abhayagiri Dagoba, where there is another ruined monastery complex, you may find some inner peace as you walk around.
The Sacred City of Anuradhapura is one of 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka.
