Location: Anuradhapura
Top Things to do in Anuradhapura
10 Things to do in Anuradhapura That You Shouldn't Miss
Anuradhapura (Sinhalese: අනුරාධපුරය; Tamil: அனுராதபுரம்) is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province, Sri Lanka and the capital of Anuradhapura District. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization. It was the third capital of the Kingdom of Rajarata, following the kingdoms of Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara.
Restaurants in Anuradhapura
1. Ruwanwelisaya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 988 reviews
At 300 feet, it is the third biggest stupa in Anuradhapura.
Reviewed By Mithila_kumarasinghe - Doha, Qatar
Ruwanwalisaya is a stupa sacrad to many Buddhist all over the world, It was built by King Dutugamunu, It is believed that the relics of the Buddha are enshrined with the stupa, which is the largest collection of his relics anywhere. Additional tips: * The Stupa quite busy during the poya days, * Men are required to wear long pants and women must cover their shoulders and were lose pants or skirts. * Parking available in walking distance. * Area quite hot during day time * Please protect the site.
2. Ritigala Forest Monastery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 305 reviews
Reviewed By Sambomb - Colombo, Sri Lanka
it has the largest man made pond, build exclusively for buddhist monk, exceptional architectural design, view from the library was amazing, the rationale to build the library at such a location was outstanding, the toilets, ruins of loo, the technology used back in the day is amazing to learn, it has some of the rarest / tallest trees in the country, the hike was amazing, much better than a usual botanical garden walk, Tip: Take a guide who is from that area, it will be rather boring experience without the guide, it's interesting to learn the history as you explore this monastery.
3. Mihintale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,383 reviews
Reviewed By malithadissa - Negombo, Sri Lanka
According to legend, it was at Mihintale – literally “Mahinda’s Hill” – that the Indian missionary Mahinda, met and converted King Devanampiyatissa in 247 BC, establishing Buddhism as the island’s state religion. Mahinda was the son of the great Mauryan emperor Asoka, sent by his father to bring word of the Buddha’s teachings to Sri Lanka. Buddhism was immediately embraced with fervour by the Sinhalese people and soon became firmly established in the island – unlike in India, its birthplace, where it would subsequently fall into terminal decline. Mihintale, on a higher plane All over the world, high places are given religious significance, with the result that devotees are always climbing steps. Sometimes on their knees. Mihintale is one such place, its various shrines connected by a total of some 1,840 steps that ultimately lead to the summit – steep enough to require deep breaths and a meditative pace. They were built in the reign of Bhathika Abhaya (22 BC–AD 7), although a later paved road provides a short cut up to the first level.there have so many histrionically place in here
4. Jethawanaramaya Stupa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 471 reviews
Reviewed By filmg
This stupa left the strongest impression. Hidden by forest overgrowth and abandoned for centuries, the plants enveloping it have been cut away and what you see is what was left. Rustic in appearance and only slightly restored, this stupa also has a small shrine to the Buddha, with a large reclining Buddha statue with offerings laid before it. It has a curious authenticity, and you can best view what these stupas are made of: Millions of handmade bricks. This was once the largest brick structure in the world.
5. Sri Maha Boodhi Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 536 reviews
Reviewed By 7SE3 - London, United Kingdom
This is a very sacred place for Buddhist all over.The Bo tree is venerated by all Buddhist. You need about half an hour here.
6. Abhayagiri Dagaba
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 204 reviews
Reviewed By Ishan1995 - Tangalle, Sri Lanka
it was one of best evening in my life.i was very peceful site i ever visited and also very beautiful place situated in Anuradhapura puja nagaraya.highly recommended place to visit ❤️.
7. Kalu Diya Pokuna Natural Black Water Pond
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 41 reviews
Reviewed By mtrjayasinghe - Sheffield, United Kingdom
Mihinthale is a wonderful rock temple that any healthy visitor will enjoy climbing. There is so much to see and some places you can see ruins of ancient structures remaining without any restorations. Mihinthale has been a monastry and has been used by the Buddhist monks who used to meditate most of the day and hence engauged in a secular life. Kalu Diya Pokuna is one of the small lakes used by those monks for fulfilling the water needs and it is a beautiful gift to anybody wanting to have a nice relaxing place to relieve the working stress and fatigue of present day life.
8. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 635 reviews
This city is known as the home of an offspring of the Bo tree where the Buddha found enlightenment.
Reviewed By 307kamalp - Byron Bay, Australia
It is the totally relaxed feeling that one enjoys at this sacred place of worship venerated by the Buddhists from all over the world. Early in the morning surroundings were very tranquil and comfortable, before the area got warmer with the days hot sun and before the premise got filled with larger numbers of devotees. Environment was very calm and conducive for a moment in silent meditation. Entire precinct has so many Bodhi trees escorting the sacred Bodhi tree which is at the highest terrace. It is known to be the oldest surviving planted tree in the world with a recorded history. The granite balustrades are very attractive with beautiful motifs engraved in to them.
9. Isurumuniya Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 452 reviews
Reviewed By Albia-Newton - Weston super Mare, United Kingdom
An ancient and interesting temple. Don’t miss the carving by the tank and the great carvings in the museum
10. Wilpattu National Park
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 689 reviews
Reviewed By jc_travelling
Wilpattu is less well known than Yala and, having done Minneriya for the elephants we wondered whether it was worth the trip. Fortunately we decided to go ahead. It's mostly woodland with patches of open ground particularly around the lakes. Even if you don't see anything, it is a a great excursion into nature. In the end we did see elephant, buffalo, spotted deer, crocodiles, turtles, tortoises, monitor lizards, horbills, storks, eagles and then 3 1/2 hours into a 4 hour tour, as we were on our way out, a leopard basking by the side of the road. The guide says its a about a 6 in 10 chance of seeing a leopard. We were traveling with the support of Columbus Tours and their guide booked the jeep and driver.
