Sacred City of Anuradhapura from Mount Lavinia

Mount Lavinia, nestled along the southwestern coast of Sri Lanka, boasts stunning beaches and a rich colonial history. Named after the British Governor General's lover, Lovina Aponsuwa, the area is renowned for its picturesque coastline, offering visitors a blend of relaxation and cultural exploration. The iconic Mount Lavinia Hotel stands as a testament to its colonial past, exuding old-world charm and elegance. Visitors can indulge in delectable seafood cuisine, partake in water sports, or simply bask in the beauty of the Indian Ocean sunsets.

Isurumuniya Temple,built by King Devanampiyatissa,is located close to the Royal Pleasure Gardens by the side of Tisaweva (Tissa rainwater reservoir).The Isurumuniya temple,built partly into a cave with a lovely pool in the front and with a boulder forming the rear wall,is a treasure-trove of exquisitely carved stone sculptures. The rock face bordering the rear of the pond is well adorned with a couple of exquisite rock carvings.One is of a herd of Elephants giving the impression of their playful antics in the pond.The sculpture has also captured the majesty of the leader elephant of the herd.The other one is of a noble horseman and his horse. Also at the temple is a celebrated sculpture on a slab of granite called ‘Isurumuniya lovers’.This has now been shifted to the Isurumuni Archaeological Museum.The lovers are identified as King Dutugamunu’s son Saliya and his non-royal consort Asokamala,the ultimate lissom women with matchless beauty.

Mirisawetiya Stupa, located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, is a sacred Buddhist site revered for its historical significance and spiritual aura. Constructed by King Dutugemunu in the 3rd century BC, it stands as a testament to Sri Lanka's rich heritage. The stupa is believed to enshrine a relic of Lord Buddha, making it a focal point for pilgrims and devotees. Surrounded by tranquil surroundings, including a picturesque lotus pond, Mirisawetiya exudes a serene ambiance, inviting visitors to reflect and connect with the profound teachings of Buddhism. Its imposing structure and cultural significance make it a must-visit destination for travelers exploring Sri Lanka's cultural treasures.

The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, believed to be the oldest living human-planted tree in the world. It is a symbol of immense religious and cultural significance for Buddhists worldwide. Planted in 288 BCE, it is said to have grown from a cutting of the Bodhi tree under which Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment. Devoted pilgrims from all over the world visit the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi to pay homage, meditate, and offer prayers. The site is surrounded by serene gardens and ancient ruins, adding to its mystique and spiritual ambiance. The tree is meticulously cared for, with rituals performed regularly to ensure its health and longevity. For Buddhists, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi represents a direct link to the Buddha's enlightenment and serves as a focal point for devotion and introspection, making it an enduring symbol of peace and enlightenment.

Standing at a circumference of 370 feet and a height of 180 feet, Ruwanweliseya, the third largest stupa of Sri Lanka, is the focal point of the Maha Vihara, the first monastery of Sri Lanka. It is believed that a considerable amount of relics of Buddha is enshrined in this glorious stupa, built in replicating the shape of a bubble of water. At the eastern entrance to the stupa is a statue of King Dutugamunu. According to the records made by Fa Hsien, the Chinese Buddhist monk, who toured Sri Lanka in the 5th century CE, Maha Vihara monastery housed no less than 3000 Buddhist monks. Since the death of King Dutugamunu, “The Hero of the Nation”, the great stupa had been renovated by a succession of Sinhalese kings till King Nissanka Malla (1187-1196 AC). By the 19th century, Anuradhapura, once the greatest monastic city of the world, also named Anurogrammon, by the Greek cartographer Claudius Ptolemy (90-168 AD) was deserted; Ruwanweliseya was in ruins.

Thuparama dagoba, 20m in height and 60ft in diameter, one of the smallest of ancient stupas was built by King Devanampiya Tissa in the third century BC. Thuparama dagoba is believed to enshrine the collar bone relic of Buddha. By the seventh century, the stupa was renovated by King Aggabodhi the second in the 7th century. The graceful monolithic pillars surrounding it once upheld a circular roof making the shrine a Vata Dage (Circular – Relic – house) a characteristically Sinhalese architectural feature. The roof doesn’t exist today. Originally constructed in the ancient architectural tradition of a “paddy – heap” shape, its present “bell” shape dates to renovation in the 1862. To the south-east of Thuparama dagoba are the ruins of a hospital as it is evident by the presence of an intact medicinal trough, an oil bath cut into a slab of stone.

Abhayagiri Monastery spreading over an area of 200 hectares,was founded by King Valagamba also known by Vattagamini Abhaya (109 BC-89-77 BC) following his ascent to the throne for the second time,having the Dravidian invaders put to sword and fire. The monastery was built following the destruction of the Jain hermitage,whose ascetic Giri had taunted King Valagamaba while he was fleeing from invaders from Southern India 14 years back.The monastery was donated to Buddhist monk Thera Mahatissa as a token of gratitude for the moral and material support extended to the king,at a time of adversity,in exile building an army to regain his kingdom. The main stupa at Abhayagiri Monastery ,Abhayagiri Stupa was built over a footprint of Buddha.The Bo tree at the monastery is an off-shoot of the Sri Maha Bodhi tree also at Anuradhapura. Standing at 370 ft in height,when it was first built, Abhayagiri Dagoba was the second tallest dagoba in Sri Lanka.

The Jetavanarama Dagoba’s massive dome rises above the entire eastern part of Anuradhapura. Built in the 3rd century by Mahasena, it may have originally topped 120m, but today is about 70m – similar to the Abhayagiri. When it was built it was almost certainly the third-tallest monument in the world, the first two being Egyptian pyramids. Its vast, bulbous form is unplastered and said to consist of more than 90 million bricks.