Sri-Lanka > Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura

A rich hoard of period antiquities have been unearthed in excavations here - sculptures, jewelers, coins and artifacts in stone, quartz, marble, crystal, ivory, copper, bronze, terra-cotta, ceramic, silver and a sensational find of 7 Buddhist scriptures written on sheets of - pure, beaten gold.

The entrance to the Ratna Prasada (1st c. A.D.), a pavilion of towering granite columns, contains the finest of ancient guard-stones (handsome sentinel sculptures placed at gateways), dating from the 8th c, of a Naga king, chiseled with masterful sureness and fluidity. At the Queen's Pavilion nearby, is another masterpiece - a fine moonstone (semicircular entrance step with symbolic carvings), embellished with friezes of unusual elegance. The Kuttam Pokuna, a pair of magnificent stone baths, each 220 ft. long, have terraced sides, flights of steps, decorative stonework, feeder and waste pipes, and filtration devices. The Samadhi Buddha (3rd - 4th c. A.D.) is a limestone image of great serenity, a source of solace to many, including the Indian leader, Jawarhlal Nehru.

The Stone Bridge over the Malwatu Oya (river) has huge stone planks laid over tall granite pillars. The Mah amegha Royal Pleasure Garden is a pleasant, tree-shaded park, with remains of pavilions, ponds and terraces.

Many other fascinating sites in Anuradhapura too numerous to list, will delight visitors who have more time for sightseeing.

The equal of other great cities of its day, Anuradhapura's exposed location however, made it vulnerable to intermittent South Indian invasions. By the end of the 10th c. it was abandoned and the capital moved to Polonnaruwa, further inland.

Other heritage sites near Anuradhapura

The 5th c. A.D. 39 - ft. (12 meters) tall Aukana Buddha (50 km. south-east of Anuradhapura), is Sri Lanka's most magnificent ancient stone sculpture, a standing colossus cut from solid rock, of tremendous impact. Ten kms. beyond at Sasseruwa (Res Venera), is a similar massive Buddha image of the same period.

Ritigala (40 km. south-east of Anuradhapura), is a complex of monasteries of pre-Christian origin, on a forested mountain. Many interesting remains here include ancient hospitals and other stone structures and a broad, ancient meditation path paved with granite, winding through the thick forest canopy.

Medirigiriya (38 km. from Polonnaruwa) is a 7th c. shrine complex in stone, of striking beauty and elegance. The group includes a circular relic shrine (vat adage), with ornately finished, dressed stone pillars, fine carvings and sculptures, symmetrical image houses, a hospital, drummers, pavilion and bathing ponds.

Tiriyai (approximately 40 km. from Trincomalee, in the eastern province), is an exquisite 8th c. circular shrine of graceful stone pillars, carvings and sculptures, reached through thick jungle and a long stone stairway.