Jethavanaramaya

Jetavana Dageba was named after the first Buddhist monastery (names of the Jethavanarama and Abhayagiriya Dagabas are sometimes reversed). The largest dagaba in Anuradhapura (considered by some to be the highest in the world). It is also being renovated with help from UNESCO. Started by King Mahasena (AD 275-292), the paved platform on which it stands covers more than 3 ha and it has a diameter of over 100m. In 1860 Emerson Tennet, in his book Ceylon, calculated that it had enough bricks to build a 3m high brick wall 25cm thick from London to Edinburgh, equal to the distance from the southern tip of Sri Lanka to Jaffna and back down the coast to Trincomalee. Its massive scale was designed in a competitive spirit to rival the orthodox Maha Vihara.

Samadhi Buddha Statue

The road north ( Sangaraja Mawatha) goes 1.5 km trough the site of the 11th century palace of Vijayabahu I to the superb statue of the serene Buddha with an expression depicting ' extinction of feeling and compassion'; some think the expression change as the sun's light moves across it. Roofed to protect it form the weather, it probably dates form the 3rd century AD. It is one of the more active religious sites it is adorned with lotus buds and payer flags

Mahamevuna Uyana. Anuradhapura, "Samadhi Budu Pilimaya" This limestone image of lord Buddha is dating from the 3rd Century. Seated under a Bo tree, depicts the Lord Buddha in the serene state of Samadhi, or deep meditation. It's not secret why the Great Indian statesman Jawaharlal Nehru found solace and strength in a photograph of this statue when he was imprisoned by the British in 1940s. The kindness of Lord Buddha flows through the half closed eyes, Watch as as long as you like. This is the finest Meditation Buddha statue in the whole World.

Thuparama

Thuparama Continuing north from the Jethawana Dagaba, turn left at the crossroads to the site's oldest dagaba to house the right collar-bone of the Buddha. Built by Devanampiyathissa, the 19m high dagaba has retained its beautiful bell shape, despite restoration work, It is surrounded by concentric circles of a graceful granite monolithic pillars of a Vatadage which was added in the 7th Century, possibly originally design to support an over-arching thatched cover. It is a center of active pilgrimage, decorated with flags and light. Immediately to its north-east was the original Dalada Maligawa where the Tooth Relic was first enshrined when it was brought to Ceylon in AD 313. Chinese traveler monk Fahian gave a vivid description of its display, but only the stone columns remain

The THUPARAMA Dagoba situated north of the Ruwanweli Seya. This is the first stupa (dagaba) built in Sri Lanka. King Devanampiyatissa erected this in the 3rd Century B.C After Buddhism was introduced by Arehath Mahinda Himi. Thuparama was in ruins in In the 7th century and restored, and a Vatadage was added. The concentric stone pillars standing right round the Stupa are the reaming of the old Vatadage

Kuttam Pokuna

The Twin Ponds.

These 3rd Century monks' bathing pools are archaeologically perfect. Observe the water input system to the pokuna. The water that feeds the ponds flows first into a filtering basin made of rock, It runs through a beautiful makara mouth and a lion's head into the smaller tank.
A submarine conduit feeds the larger tank. Stone Pun Kalas on the side of the stone steps joing the twin ponds.

Across the Vatavandana Para, a little to the north, you turn right for the two ponds- recently restored 8th and 9th century ritual baths with steps from the university nearby. Thought called 'Twin Ponds' , one is over 10m longer than the other. You can see the under ground water supply channel at one end of the second bath

Isurumuniya

This small group of striking black rocks is one of the most attractive and peaceful places in town. It also has some outstanding sculpture. The temple carved out of solid rock, houses a large statue of the seated Buddha. You can climb up steps to the top of the rock above the temple to get a good view of the countryside. There is a cleft in the rock which is full of bats; they are fascination to watch. On the terraces outside is a small square pool; they are also some beautifully carved elephants, showing great individual character. Note the carving beside the main entrance just above the water level.

Isurumuni Lovers 6th Century Gupta style carving. The woman, seated on the man's lap, lifts a warning finger, probably as a manifestation of her coyness; but the man carries on regardless." The figures may represent Dutugemunu's son Saliya and the law caste (Sadol Kula) maiden Asokamala whom he loved. It's known that he gave up the throne for her

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya

The 'Bo' ( 'Bodhi') tree or Pipal (ficus religiosa) was planted as a cutting brought from India by by emperor Ashoka's daughter, the Princess Sangamitta, at some point after 236 BC. Guardians have kept uninterrupted watch over the tree ever since. There are other Bo trees around the Sir Maha Bodhi which stands on the highest terrace. In April a large number of pilgrims arrive to make offering during the Snana Pooja, and to bathe the tree with milk. Every 12th year the ceremony is particularly auspicious.

A board, paved path leads from the point you leave your shoes. It is shaded by a tent like structure - tasseled ropes crossing the path colored yellow, blue, red, white and orange. You can only see the top of the BO tree which is supported by an elaborate metal structure and is surrounded by brass railing which are bedecked with colorful prayer flags and smaller strips of cloth which pilgrims tie in expectation of prayers being answered

Abhayagiri Monastery

This was the home of mainly the Dhammaruchi sect, although it was open to many other sects including Mahayanism. There is little literary evidence as the rival monks of the Maha Vihara were the compilers of the chronicle. How ever, this 500-acre monastery was the biggest for 600 years, and Was home for 5000 monks. It was an international center of the arts, philosophy and mysticism, With branches in Java, Burma and China. Its center was this dagoba in ruin built over a sacred foot of the Buddha.

Abhayagiri Dagaba is left from the crossroads. It is 400m round and was supposedly 135m high in its original from (part of the pinnacle has disappeared); It is now about 110m high. Built in 88 BC by Vattagamini (and later restored by Parakramabahu I in the 12th century), it has two splendid sculpted dwarapalas ( guardians) at the threshold. the dagaba and its associated monastery were built in an attempt to weaken the political hold of the Hinayana Buddhist and to give shelter to monks of the Mahayana school. It was considered an important seat of Buddhist learning and the Chinese traveler/ monk Fa hien visiting in the 5th century notesd that there were 5,000 monks in residence

Several centuries before the Jesus Christ, while the Greek empire was at its zenith, many other regions were emerging from the stone age; Anurdhapura was already and advanced civilization. The city was well laid out and well linked. Irrigated by sophisticated systems of man-made lake s and canals, this city was a world trade center. This is evidenced by the Greek merchant guide book titled "purples of the Erythraen Sea", Ptolemy's first ever map, and further by monk travelers Fa Hien and Buddagosha of, the 5th century A. D.

Anuradhapura Kingdom was built by King Pandukabhya, son of PrincessUnmada chithtra. The city was the first of it's kind with well designed sanitary system, Gardens, Irrigation and Water supply systems, Temples, cemeteries and burial grounds, etc. The city was then became the capital city of Sri Lanka and flourished under many subsequent Kings ruled for centuries.

Anuradhapura Kingdom was highly vulnerable to invasions from South India and suffered usurp of throne several times, by invading Kings from south India. Singhalese Kings have managed to defeat the invaders after reorganizing the troops, although the invading kings ruled in the mean time. One such historic battle held Between King Dutugamunu and South Indian King, Elara. In that,King Elara was defeated and King Dutugamunu ruled the country in single sovereignty.

The Anuradhapura Kingdom was under constant threat from south Indian kingdoms. The King Mahinda V ascended to throne in 982 A.C, and was the last Sinhalese king to rule the country from Glorious city. At this time the South Indian realm Chola, became very powerful under the Great Rajaraja (985- 1018 A.C) and conquered Sri Lanka. The King Mahinda was captured and imprisoned in South India.

The South Indians ruled the country for next 75 years. They shifted the Capital city to Polonnaruwa due to strategic reasons after considering the vulnerably for attacks from both native Sinhalese people and other south Indian Kingdoms.