Location: Anuradhapura
Top Things to do in Anuradhapura
The 9 Best Historic Sites in Anuradhapura, North Central Province
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. Padanagara I of Ancient Anuradhapura
2. Main Refectory Of Abayagiri Monastery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By 307kamalp - Byron Bay, Australia
Amazing place with a history from first century BC! The gigantic, many meters long, almost monolithic boat like container (Stone canoe), to hold cooked rice for serving few thousand monks referred to as “Bath Oruwa”, perfectly smooth granite seating to accommodate hundreds, the sundial through which the time of the day was determined by the shadow created by a rod or pin at its centre in order to partake in mid-day meal by the monks before the time passes noon are some of the fascinating items at this site. The effort that would have gone in to make them with ancient tools and maintain them is unbelievable.
3. Wessagiriya
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By anuruddhaHK - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Wessagiriya is a place which had been used by Buddhist monks for meditation in the times of ancient kings. Best to visit in morning or evening where the rocks are not heated. Nice place to visit with kids.
4. 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.
5. Nakha Vehera
6. Gal Palama (Stone Bridge)
7. Temple of the Tooth
8. Short Handed Statue
9. The Royal Palace (Vijayabahu Maligaya)
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 34 reviews
Reviewed By 307kamalp - Byron Bay, Australia
The royal palace of King Vijayabahu the 1st is supposed to be at the centre of the ancient Anuradhapura city. The immediate surrounding area had been occupied by the elite close to the palace. This area better referred to as inner city. Beyond this circle the three giant stupas with the viharas were in three directions. Followed by the tanks and peripheral monasteries. Figures in the guard stones at the entrance to the palace are quite different to what that is seen in general. The two prominent figures are different to each other and they are supposed to show two attendants of Kuvera the god of wealth. “Sanka” one with the conch shell hood and “Padma” with lotus on head. It is believed that this site would have occupied the royal palaces of earlier kings who ruled in Anuradhapura but what remains today are the ruins of the palace of King Vijayabahu the 1st. Closer observation of the remains helps to appreciate the ancient civilisation in this area and craftsmen skills in construction of up-stair buildings and its vital sanitary facilities.
