Anuradhapuraya

Ruwanweliseya Dagaba

    Every monastery has a dagoba. Ruvanveliseya is the dagoba of Maha Vihara. It was built by a Sinhalese hero King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century B.C. The architect ingeniously combined the Buddhist philosophy in the architectural conception. He conceived this as a bubble of milk: representing life, which will burst in no time just like the fragility of our lives. Its dome represents the vastness of the doctrine; the four facets of the box oh top represents the four noble truths. The concentric rings there after indicate the noble eightfold path that leads man to illumination. The illumination: the whole truth is light and transparent like the rock crystal at the pinnacle. The 1956's restoration curb on the dome is much to the chagrin of the purists: which looks flatter than bubbly.

    Ruvanweliseya is opposite the museum. It was begun to house relics; priests from all over India were recorded as being present at the enshrinement of the relics in 140 BC. A huge dagaba, It is surrounded by the remains of lots of buildings. you can see the columns often no more than 500 cm in height dotted around in the grass underneath huge rain trees where monkeys play. The dome is 80m in diameter at its base and 53m high. A small passage leads to the relic chamber. At the cardinal points are four ' chapels' which were reconstructed in 1873, when renovation started. The restoration has flattened the shape of the dome, and some of the painting is of questionable style, but it remains a remarkably striking monument. Today, you may find watching the dagaba being "white washed"- an interesting spectacle.

Thuparama Dagaba

       The Thuparama Dagoba, located close to the Ruwanveli Seya, is believed to contain the collarbone relic of the Buddha.Thuparamaya belongs to main five Aawasas of Anuradhapura. It is known as the first ancient stupa of Sri Lanka. Known as the‘Sangaramaya’ because it was a stupa and later called ‘Thuparamaya’. King Devanampiyathissa built this first stupa; Thuparamaya in Sri Lanka. As it is mentioned in the historical chronicle Mahawamsa; Thuparamaya was built after obtaining the pure Buddhism in 3BC according to the shape of ‘Dahanyakara’ which implies the shape of grain storage. The king has stored the sacred relic of Lord Buddha with a great respect inside of the stupa. The stupa was situated where the place which had purified after the few minutes of attaining ‘Samadhi’ by Buddha when the Lord Buddha put his foot step here at the third time. It is said that Arhath Mahinda contributed knowledge when building the stupa Thuparamaya.

Jethawanarama Dagaba

     

       The Jetavanarama Dagoba, which was the pet project of King Mahasena (274-301 AD), is the largest building at Anuradhapura. Originally it was no less than 122 metres high, making it the third tallest structure on earth after the pyramids at Dharshur and Gizeh in Egypt. The Jetavana Dagoba must have dominated the ancient city, just as it dominates the ruins today, even though its height has diminished to about 75 metres. But whereas for centuries its dome has been encrusted with vegetation and its spire broken, it is now being restored with support from UNESCO.

Abayagiri Dagaba

      The Abhayagiri Dagoba was built in 88 BC by King Vattagamini Abhaya, also known as Valagambahu. Abhayagiri means “fearless Giri,” which, legend says, refers to a Jain monk whose hermitage stood on this spot in the 1st century BC. The It was originally 135 metres high, but it fell into disrepair and was later restored by King Parakramabahu of Polonnaruwa in the 12th century, when it may have stood over 100 metres high. Today, however, it is only 75 metres high.

Mirisawetiya Dagaba

       The Mirisaweti Dagoba was constructed by Dutugemenu between 161-158 BC after his defeat of the Tamil invader Elara. Dutugemenu, it is said, had the Mirisaweti Dagoba built in an excess of piety after remembering that he had eaten a whole red pepper (miris) as a relish with his meal without any thought to the share he should have offered the sangha. The Mirisaweti Dagoba commemorated victory over Elara as well, for it was raised over a spear containing relics of the Buddha, the customary source of protection in battle of Sinhalese kings. 

Lankaramaya Dagaba

    The Lankarama Dagoba was founded in the 1st century BC by King Vattagamini Abhaya at the place where he took refuge during a Tamil invasion. Now restored, the dagoba was originally the centre of the Lankarama monastery, an auxiliary of the Abhayagiri monastery, which was also built by Vattagamini Abhaya. Three concentric circles of pillars surround the dagoba, indicating that it was contained in a vatadage with a conical roof. The Lankarama is much frequented by pilgrims.

Sri maha bodhiya

The Sri Maha Bodhi or the sacred Bo Tree is perhaps the most revered site for Buddhists, considered to be planted from a sapling from the tree under which Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment.

Mihinthalaya

     Eight miles east of Anuradhapura, close to the Anuradhapura - Trincomalee Road is situated the "Missaka Pabbata" which is 1000 feet in height and is one of the peaks of a mountainous range. Though this was called Cetiyagiri or Sagiri, it was popularly known as Mihintale - the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. 

      Thera Mahinda came to Ceylon from India on the Fullmoon Day of the month, a of Poson (June) and met King Devanampiyatissa and the people, and preached the doctrine. The traditional spot where this meeting took place is revered by the Buddhists of SriLanka. Therefore in the month of Poson, Buddhists make their pilgrimage to Anuradhapura and Mihintale. 

       From ancient times a large number of large steps were constructed to climb Mihintale. It is stated that King Devanampiyatissa constructed a vihara and 68 caves for the bhikkhus to reside in. At Mihintale there gradually grew a number of Buddhist viharas with all the dependent buildings characteristic of monasteries of that period.

  Aradhana Gala 

        Which faces Maha Seya is on a summit of a hill. Even during very windy weather pilgrims do not fail to visit this rock, which has iron railings to help them to climb.

  Maha Stupa 
         This large stupa known as the Maha Saya is on the summit of the Mihintale hill, built by King Mahadathika Mahanaga (7-19 AD) the base of which is 136 ft in diameter. The stupa which was in a dilapidated condition was completely restored.  

  Ambasthala Dagaba 

        Is situated on the plain close to the peak of the mountain, and is said to have been built by King Makalantissa. The ruins show that there has been a house built encircling the stupa. The Dagaba itself is said to enshrine the relics of the great Apostle Mahinda. It is here that King Devanampiyatissa first met Arahant Mahinda. The traditional spot where this meeting took place is marked by the Ambasthala Dagaba.  

 

Kantaka Chetiya 

        It is stated that King Suratissa may have built this Stupa. The Pesavalalu and the frontispiece have been preserved to a great extent. On the four sides of the stupa are frontispieces. these and the altar are decorated with figures of dwarfs and elephants. The stupa has a circumference of 425'1/2". There are ruins of the stupa which are 40 ft in height. The monks would have resided in the caves close to the stupa. As this stupa was renovated by King Lajjitissa. There is no doubt that this belongs to the 1st centry B.C.  

  Naga Pokuna

     

       Passing Ambasthalaya on the western side are a flight of steps. When going down the steps one could see the Naga Pokuna. This has been constructed by King Agbo I and its name is derived as there are figures of snakes with their hoods spread out in the back ground and is one of the most famous ponds.

  Kaludiya Pokuna 

     Is also one of the famous ponds at Mihintale. The name is derived from the fact that the water in the pond appears to be black in colour. It is believed that on new moon day Kalu Buddha Rakkhita Thera sat under the Thimbiriya tree, close to the Kaludiya Pokuna, preached on sermon based on Kalakarama Sutta. 

  The Cave of Arahant Mahinda 

      When proceeding from Ambastala dagaba along the narrow road, on the slope is the cave known as Mihindu Guhawa or the cave of Arahant Mahinda, where he resided. Out of the caves the most famous and incidentally the most sacred to Buddhists is this cave with its flattened slab on which Thera Mahinda was accustomed to rest.  

Isurumuni Viharaya

     The Isurumuniya Vihara in Anuradhapura is a beautiful rock temple better known for its fine carvings. It is one of the historic places which tourists, both local and foreign, do not fail to visit when they are in Anuradhapura.

   However, this popular heritage site had been in ruins and covered in thick jungle until the mid-19th century. It is said that the tanks and ponds in the area had been filled with crocodiles during those days. The invasion of Rajarata by Kalinga Maga in 1213, which drove the Sinhalese south-westwards is deemed to have led to the abandoning and ruin of Isurumuniya, which was until then, a popular and important place among the Sinhala people.

    Vessagiriya was part and parcel of the Isurumuni Vihara at one time.

    According to the Mahavansa, the first Buddhist temple at Isurumuniya had been built by King Devanampiyatissa, who ruled the country from 250-210 B.C. He established the temple at the spot where 500 men who had attained monkhood at the hands of Arahath Mahinda had lived. King Vasabha, who ruled from 67 - 111 AD constructed a Poya ge at Isurumuniya. The Mahavansa also says that King Voharika Tissa (209-231 AD) put up a protective wall around the temple.

      King Kasyapa, who ruled from 473-491 AD did a lot towards the development of the temple. To make amends for killing his father (King Dhatusena), Kasyapa expanded the courtyard of the Isurumuni Vihara, improved other conditions at the vihara which he offered to the Buddha Sasana and donated several nearby villages for its upkeep.

   However, when the kingdom moved out of Anuradhapura, the same fate that had befallen other important sites of the city, befell Isurumuniya and it was hidden away for many years.

    The area came into prominence again with the dawn of the 19th century when the attention of many foreign academics was drawn to the ruins of Rajarata.

    Isurumuniya is known as a temple with historic value as well as a place which denotes the artistic creativity of ancient Sinhalese. It is bordered by the Tissa Weva, a creation of Devanampiyatissa, the Goldfish Park, Vessagiriya and paddy fields, on different sides. The area has gained significance due to the historic vihara, the beautiful surroundings as well as the fine carvings in the temple.

    The best known sculpture is the 'Isurumuni Lovers' which dates from around the fifth century. The world-famous carving is based on the Gupta tradition, which was the artistic style of India's Gupta dynasty in the fourth and fifth centuries.

    It is said to depict Saliya, the son of King Dutugemunu, and Asokamala, the low caste girl he married,which cost him the kingdom. Some believe it is a soldier visiting his wife after a long spell of duty, while others believe it is Siva and Parvathi of Hindu mythology. It is thought that the sculpture had been brought here from another place. It is known as one of the most exquisite pieces of carving in Sri Lanka.

    The Isurumuni Vihara is situated between two rocks; bordering one of the rocks is a pond, which is fed by the Tissa Weva. Figures of elephants who seem to be descending to the pond are carved on this rock. Slightly above them in a recess cut on the rock, a male figure seated in the royal pose has been sculptured. A head of a horse is carved behind his right hand.

   There are different theories as to who is represented by this sculpture which belongs to the Pallava art tradition of India.

     Another carving at the Isurumuni premises is said to depict the Dutugemunu family. Although the King threw Prince Saliya out of the royal family as a result of the latter's marriage to a commoner, he later pardoned the Prince and visited the couple at their abode which is depicted in this scene. This carving belongs to the fifth century.
     Although most of these sculptures are still on their original places in the rock face, some of them have now been moved into a small museum within the temple.
    Other structures at this site including the image house, which has a reclining Buddha cut from the rock, are of more recent construction.
    An inscription at nearby Vessagiriya from the first century shows that Isurumuniya was then known as Isiramana.


Kuttam pokuna





These 3rd Century monks' bathing pools are archaeologically perfect. Observe the water input system to the pokuna. The water that feeds the ponds flows first into a filtering basin made of rock, It runs through a beautiful makara mouth and a lion's head into the smaller tank.
A submarine conduit feeds the larger tank. Stone Pun Kalas on the side of the stone steps joing the twin ponds.

Across the Vatavandana Para, a little to the north, you turn right for the two ponds- recently restored 8th and 9th century ritual baths with steps from the university nearby. Thought called 'Twin Ponds' , one is over 10m longer than the other. You can see the under ground water supply channel at one end of the second bath