With a history that dates back over 2,000 years, Sri Lanka was a land throbbing with vitality and well-ordered civilization. Six of Sri Lanka’s historical sites - Anuradhapura, Mihintale, Dambulla, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Yapahuwa, and Kandy, are declared as World heritage sites by the UNESCO.
Anuradhapura lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya. Being the first capital of Sri Lanka was founded during 4th century B.C. until the beginning of the 11th century AD it remained as one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
There are many ponds constructed in the city by King Vasabha to improve living and irrigation facilities are fed by a network of subterranean channels. They are Tissa, Abhayavapi, the Nuwara weva and Nachchaduwa wewa which was 4408 acres (17.84 km²) in size. A park in this city named Ranmasu Uyana below the bund of Tissavapi or Tisa weva was strictly reserved for the members of the royal family.
Ruins in Anuradhapura city consist of three kinds of buildings, dagabas, monastic buildings, and pokunas. The dagabas are bell-shaped masses of masonry, varying from a few feet to over 1100 ft (340 m) in circumference. Remains of the monastic buildings are to be found in every direction in the shape of raised stone platforms, foundations and stone pillars. The most famous is the Brazen Palace built by King Dutugamunu in 164 BC. The pokunas are bathing-tanks or tanks for the supply of drinking water, which are scattered everywhere through the jungle. The city also contains a sacred Bo-Tree which is said to date back to the year 245 BC.
Great 8 religious places in Anuradhapura city are Ruwanwelisaya, Jetawanaramaya, Abayagiriya, Mirisavetiya, Lankaramaya, Lovamahapaya, Thuparamaya and Sri Baha Bodhi.
Other places of interest in this city are;
Isurumuniya 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 Saliya (Dutugemunu's son ) and the law caste (Sadol Kula) maiden Asokamala whom he loved. It's known that he gave up the throne for her.
Magul Uyana is not a place of worship, it’s an ancient garden. Magul Uyana (Gardens) is situated close to Isurumuni Vihara and Tissawewa in the Ancient Sacred city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. In it are various ponds. There are remains of small cells, seats made of stone steps, and taps of aesthetic sense. According to legend it is believed that Prince Saliya met Asokamala in this garden. The largest pond in this garden is 31x55 in length and breadth. Vessagiri
Vesaghiri is a series of stone rocks and caves that are part of the ruins of Anuradhapura, located about half a mile south of Isurumuniya.
Dakkhina Stupa - is a 2nd century BC stupa built over the cremated ashes of King Dutugemunu. The Bhikkhus of the Sagalika sect resided here. It was constructed by Uttiya, a Minister of King Valagamba, in the Ancient Sacred city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
Sela Cetiya is one of the 16 main places of worship or Solosmasthana and is situated to the west of Jetavanaramaya in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura. This was constructed by King Lajjitissa who ruled in the 1st century BC.
Naga Vihara is a stupa, or Buddhist religious monument, built with bricks and square in shape. The stupa is located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.
Kiribath Vehera is situated in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The remains of this vihara shows that it is 30 feet in height and the circumference is 425 feet. The date of construction and the king who built it, is unknown.
Kuttam Pokuna is one of the best specimen of bathing tanks or pools in ancient Sri Lanka. The larger pool of the two is 132 ft by 51 ft, while the smaller pool is 91 ft by 51 ft. The depths of the two pools is 14 ft and 18 ft for the smaller pool and the larger pool respectively. The faces of the pools were cut granite slabs which includes the bottom and the sides of the pool. A wall was also built around the pool which encloses the compound. Flights of steps are seen on both ends of the pool decorated with punkalas, or pots of abundance and scroll design. Embankments were constructed to enable monks to bathe using pots or other utensils. Water to the pools were transferred through underground ducts and filtered before flowing to the pool and in a similar fashion the water was emptied.
Samadhi Statue is a statue situated at Mahamevuna Park in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The Buddha is depicted in the position of the Dhyana Mudra, the posture of meditation associated with his first Enlightenment, also called Nirvana.
Rathna Prasadaya ia a skyscraper built by King Kanittha Tissa who ruled Ceylon from 167 to 186 AD.
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| Sri Maha Bodhiya at Anuradhapura |
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| Samadhi Buddha Statue |
Polonnaruwa is the 2nd largest city in north central province. But it is known as one of the cleaner and more beautiful cities in the country. The green environment, amazing ancient constructions, Parakrama Samudraya, attractive tourist hotels and most importantly, nice people with hospitality, always attracted local and foreign tourists.
Polonnaruwa had a tropical climate most of the year, although it was occasionally chilly in December and January. But in recent years the rain and chilliness has been increased noticeably.
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| King Parakrama Bahu Statue |
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| Ruins of the palace of King Parakrama Bahu |
Sigiriya Rock - "Fortress in the Sky", is an ancient rock fortress and palace ruin in the central Matale District of Sri Lanka, surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. Known as is a magnificent fortress, with swimming pools, fabulous landscaping, stunning frescoes and mirror walls, constructed in the 5th century A.D. by King Kashayapa, is considered the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
Sigiriya rock was used as a rock-shelter mountain monastery from about the 5th century BC, with caves prepared and donated by devotees to the Buddhist Sangha. According to the chronicles as Mahavamsa the entire complex was built by King Kashyapa (AD 477 – 495), and after the king's death, it was used as a Buddhist monastery until 14th century.
Fearing an attack from Moggallana (borther of King Kashyapa who was the rightful heir to the throne), Kashyapa moved the capital and his residence from the traditional capital of Anuradhapura to the more secure Sigiriya. During King Kashyapa’s reign (477 to 495), Sigiriya was developed into a complex city and fortress. Most of the elaborate constructions on the rock summit and around it, including defensive structures, palaces and gardens, date back to this period. Kashyapa was defeated in 495 AD. by Moggallana, moved the capital again to Anuradhapura. Sigiriya was then turned back into a Buddhist monastery, which lasted until the fourteenth century.
The Golden Temple of Dambulla which dates back to the First Century BC has is a Cave monastery, home to Buddhist monks is covered with exquisite 2,000 year-old murals depicting the life and times of the Lord Buddha.
It is situated 148 km east of Colombo and 72 km north of Kandy. It is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. The rock towers 160 m over the surrounding plains.There are more than 80 documented caves in the surrounding area. Major attractions are spread over 5 caves, which contain statues and paintings. These paintings and statues are related to Lord Buddha and his life. There are total of 153 Buddha statues, 3 statues of Sri Lankan kings and 4 statues of gods and goddesses. The latter include two statues of Hindu gods, the god Vishnu and the god Ganesh. The murals cover an area of 2,100 square meters. Depictions on the walls of the caves include the temptation by the demon Mara, and Buddha's first sermon.
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| The Sigiriya Rock |
Kandy - The last capital of the Sinhala Kings' is a living record to a magnificent past. City lies in the midst of hills in the Kandy plateau, which crosses an area of tropical plantations, mainly tea. Kandy is one of the most scenic cities in Sri Lanka; it is both an administrative and religious city. It is the capital of the Central Province (which encompasses the districts of Kandy, Matale and Nuwara Eliya) and also of Kandy District. In 1592 Kandy became the capital city of the last remaining independent kingdom in the island after the coastal regions had been conquered by the Portuguese.
The last ruling dynasty of Kandy were the Nayakar. Kandy stayed independent until the early 19th century. In the Second Kandyan War, the British launched an invasion that met no resistance and reached the city on February 10, 1815. On March 2, 1815, a treaty known as the Kandyan Convention was signed between the British and the Radalas (Kandyan aristocrats). With this treaty, Kandy recognized the King of England as its King and became a British protectorate. The last king of the kingdom Sri Vikrama Rajasinha was captured and taken as a royal prisoner by the British to Vellore Fort in southern India along with all claimants to the throne.
The main attraction is the Dalada Maligawa, the temple of the sacred tooth relic of the Buddha. The King’s Palace, the Queens Palace, the Audience Hall, the Royal Boathouse and the Royal Summer House are situated around the Temple of the Tooth and the Kandy Lake.
Among other attractions in this city Lankatilaka Temple is considered to be one of the best preserved examples of traditional Sinhalese temple architecture. Built on a rock, the temple is reached by a long series of rock cut steps. An arched passage of the image house leads through a Mandapa (hall) into the inner sanctum which is richly decorated with beautiful floral designs. The two side walls and the ceiling are decorated with paintings. In the inner sanctum is a colossal seated image of the Buddha.
The Gadaladeniya Temple's is another place of interest, a design of South Indian origin with a Devale attached to it. The main shrine room has a seated Buddha statue and the remains of some paintings of the Gampola period.
Among other important temples around Kandy are Dodanwela Devale (shrine, Embakke Devale (shrine), Galmaduwa Vihara temple, Handagala Vihara temple, Lankatilaka Vihara, Medawala Vihara and Nalanda Gedige.
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| Dalada Maligawa |
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| Dalada Perahera |
The Kandy Esala Perahera, one of Sri Lanka’s most famous religious festivals, takes place every year in the hill-capital Kandy, in the full-moon month of Esala coinciding with July/August. This is to seek blessing for a good harvest.
It is very grand with elegant costumes and has become a unique symbol of Sri Lanka. There are fire-dances, whip-dances, Kandian dances and various other cultural dances. Majestic elephants dressed in elaborately embroidered cloaks, are led by the majestic Maligawa Tusker. Decorated from trunk to toe, he carries a a replica of the cask containing the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha.
