Anuradhapura – The City of the God Kings

(Anuradhapura Era:3rd BC - 10th AD)

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 is Sri Lanka's most sacred town. From origins as a settlement in the 6th century BC, it was made capital in 377 BC by King Pandukabhaya (437-367 BC) who started the great irrigation works on which it depended, and named it after the constellation Anuradha.

Anuradha was the first general of the king Vijaya: the legendary ancestor of the Sinhalese race. The city measured 52 square kilometers' and was maintained by at least 500 scavengers.The city was divided into several quarters. Foreign traders lived in one quarter. Their houses were of 2 or 3 stories. Artisans occupied some avenues.

Anuradhapura boasts an array of captivating attractions waiting to be explored. Discover the enchanting landmarks and cultural sites that make this city so special.

Discover Interest places in Anuradhapura

Abayagiri Stupa 

• Burrows Pavilion

• Daladage Ruins

• Eth Pokuna 

• Gedige Ruins

• Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds) 

• Lankaramaya 

• Pancavasa (Biso Maligaya) with the Moonstone 

• Mahapali Alms Hall

• Moonstone – 2

• Prasada Stupa ( Indikatu Seya)

• Rathna Prasada (Jewel Palace) 

• Refectory

• Relic Shrine 

• Samadhi Statue

• Samadhi Statue 2 and Bodhighara 

• Samadhi Statue 3 and Bodhighara

• Uttara Mula

 Asokaramaya (Pankuliya Buddha Statue)

 Mihinthale 

 Isurumuniya Vihara (Originally Meghagiri Vihara)

 Jethavana Viharaya ( Jethavana Temple) 

 Lovamahapaya (The Great Copper Roofed Mansion) 

 Dhakkhina Stupa 

 Mirisavatiya Dagaba 

 Nakha Vehera

 Ancient Stone Bridge (Galpalama ) over Halpan Ela

 Ancient Stone Bridge (Galpalama )over Malwathu Oya

 Thuparamaya

 Toluvila 

 Mayura Pirivena

 Padalanchana Chethiya

 Ranmasu Uyana ( Goldfish Park) 

 Ransimalakaya

 Royal Palace of Vijayabahu I

 Ruwanvali Seya 

 Samgamiththa Stupaya

 Silachetiya (Kujjatissa Stupa)

 Padanagara I

 Padanagara II

 Sri Maha Bodhi (The sacred Bo-Tree) 

 Tapovana Monastery

 The Royal palace of King Vijayabahu I

 Vijayarama Aramic Complex

 Vessagiriya (originally Issara Samanarama or Isurumuniya)