Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura, one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, is famous for its well-preserved ruins of centuries-old Sinhala Buddhist civilization. Tucked away in the country’s north central province, this glorious seat of kingdom remained the greatest monastic city of the ancient world from the mid 5th century B.C. until the 11th century A.D. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this tranquil destination – where kings once strode – stands amidst towering ancient stupas (dagobas) with stupendous domes, ruins of royal palaces, Buddhist monasteries and temples, rock carvings of monumental richness and remarkable grace, colossal stone pillars, magnificent stone cut swimming pools and reservoirs of sophisticated hydrology. The modern world marvels at these amazing ancient civil engineering feats accomplished without sophisticated technology. Anuradhapura, known as the “cradle of Sinhala Buddhist civilization”, is a key center of pilgrimage for Sri Lankan Buddhists, who make the journey to venerate the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, a branch from the historical Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India, under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.