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25 Places to visit in Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s first capital city, is a destination steeped in history and culture. Known as the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, it is located in the Northern Central Province of Sri Lanka. Anuradhapura is renowned for its archaeological sites, ancient civilization, culinary delights, and attractions that showcase its rich heritage. This city, with its iconic historical setting, offers a unique glimpse into Sri Lanka’s glorious past. In this writing, we will explore History of Anuradhapura ,the 25 best places to visit in Anuradhapura, best time to visit, providing a comprehensive guide to its most notable attractions.

History of Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is a sacred city founded in the 4th century B.C. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982 under the name of the Sacred City of Anuradhapura. The centre of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries, Anuradhapura has played a pivotal role in the spread and preservation of this branch of Buddhism, which is based on its faith’s oldest written texts.

The city served as the capital of the Sinhalese kingdom from the 4th century B.C. until the early 11th century A.D. This era marked Anuradhapura as one of the most enduring centers of political power and cultural development in South Asia. The city’s strategic location and fertile lands contributed to its prosperity, allowing it to thrive for over a millennium.

Anuradhapura holds immense religious significance due to its association with the ‘tree of enlightenment,’ a cutting from the Buddha’s fig tree. This cutting, brought to the city in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns, continues to attract pilgrims and tourists alike.

The city is renowned for its impressive artificial lakes, or reservoirs, known as ‘tanks,’ which extend along the horizon. These tanks were engineered to support agriculture and sustain the city’s population. The stupas, towering structures that served both religious and communication purposes, are marvels of ancient engineering. Anuradhapura also boasts dwellings atop rocks adorned with intricate sculptures, water gardens, and advanced technological feats that reflect the ingenuity of its ancient inhabitants.

Enhanced by the introduction of Buddhism from India nearly three thousand years ago, the city’s artisans and engineers created breathtaking structures that still captivate the world today. Constructed with bricks and carved stones, these monumental works in the ancient city of Anuradhapura continue to awe visitors with their scale and craftsmanship.

Top 25 Places to Visit in Anuradhapura

Visitors can immerse themselves in the serene environment, exploring ancient structures that tell the story of a once-thriving civilization. Anuradhapura is a must-visit for those seeking to connect with Sri Lanka’s past and experience its timeless spiritual and cultural essence.

1. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree

Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi stands out as a key highlight. UNESCO has designated the sacred city of Anuradhapura as a World Heritage Site, with the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi being a central reason for this recognition. This sacred tree, located in the old Maha Megha Vana Royal Park in Anuradhapura, was brought to Sri Lanka in December (Unduvap) 236 BC by Arahant Sanghamitta Maha There under the guidance of Arahant Mihindu Maha Thero. King Devanampiyatissa, who ruled Sri Lanka at the time, ceremoniously planted the Bodhi sapling in the Maha Megha Vana Royal Park, dedicating it to the grand bhikkhus. Today, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is 2,247 years old, making it the oldest living tree in the world with a documented history. This sacred tree is revered for its deep historical and religious significance, attracting numerous pilgrims and visitors annually. 

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2. Ruwanwelisaya Stupa

Amidst the plethora of places to visit in Anuradhapura, the radiant Ruwanwelisaya Stupa stands as a stellar sight
Ruwanwelisaya Stupa

Ruwanwelisaya Stupa is a sizeable white stupa that predates the Jetavanarama stupa by over 1000 years. King Dutugemunu, who became king after defeating King Elara, managed its construction in 161 B.C. Wistfully, he did not live long enough to view its achievement. The gleaming white building is pretty extensive, with a height of 91.4 meters and a perimeter of 290 meters. It is the second-highest stupa in Anuradhapura and remains an influential site of worship. Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, the radiant Ruwanwelisaya Stupa stands as a stellar sight.

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3. Jetawanaramaya

Jetawanaramaya
Jetawanaramaya

Jetawanaramaya was built by King Mahasen (276-303 AD), a follower of Mahayana Buddhism. Jetavanarama is unique due to its massive stupa. The premises where Jetavanarama is located were previously referred to as Nandana Park, the area where Thera Mahinda preached the Dhamma for seven continuous days. The site includes all the structures required for a monastery. In addition to the buildings constructed by King Mahasen, further constructions were carried out by King Kitisirimevan (303-331 AD) and subsequent kings who succeeded him.

Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, Jetawanaramaya stands out not only for its architectural grandeur but also for its deep historical and religious significance.

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4. Isurumuniya Temple

Isurumuniya temple - places to visit in Anuradhapura
Isurumuniya Temple

The Isurumuniya Viharaya is located near Tisa Wewa in Anuradhapura. There is a Viharaya attached to a cave, and above is a rock. A small stupa is established on it. Isurumuniya is renowned for its stone carvings, and the one is recognised as Isurumuniya Lovers is the most-admired and world-famous. The different carvings are of the Horseman, Elephant Pond and the Royal Family.
The Isurumuniya Viharaya was built through the regime of Devanampiya Tissa, who ruled the ancient capital Anuradhapura. The Temple was created as a spiritual complex to house recently orientated monks.
Some consider Isurumuni lovers are a representative of Hindu Gods Shiva and Parvati. However, according to Dr Paranawithana, it is thought that it’s a depiction of Prince Saliya, son of King Dutugemunu and Asokamala, a poor woman whom the prince preferred over the throne.
The Bathing Elephants are different stone carvings favoured by several, and they make an extraordinary impact as you enter the temple premises. But, the carvings differ in their reproduction. Hence it is assumed that two artists did the work with varied techniques at various ages.
The Man and the Horse is slightly ambiguous, and a man seated next to a horse is carved into the rock face over the pond. The man sits in a “King position”. His left arm extends vertically under where the hand is placed palm downwards. His right arm rests on his right leg bent at the knee.

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5. The Star Gate of Ancient Anuradhapura

The Star Gate of Ancient Anuradhapura- places to visit in Anuradhapura
The Star Gate of Ancient Anuradhapura

In Ranmasu Uyana, also known as Gold Fish Park, found in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, there is an unusual and unexplained artefact from an old civilization of Sri Lanka. This artefact is called Sakwala Chakraya, also identified as the Star Gate of Sri Lanka. Magul Uyana, the Royal Pleasure Gardens, lies on large rock stones and includes some caves. Engraved on the steep rock face of these boulders is a puzzling sight: a large circular diagram nearly two meters in diameter.

The circle is filled with various symbols and patterns—both linear and circular in design. The most immediate reference to this artefact was by H.C.P. Bell, the first Archaeological Commissioner of Sri Lanka (1890-1912). He mentioned it in his 1901 Archaeology Survey Report of the North Central and Central Provinces. This reference is associated with the exploratory work he carried out in the area around the Isurumuniya Temple.

Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, the Sakwala Chakraya at Ranmasu Uyana stands out as a mysterious and fascinating relic of ancient Sri Lankan ingenuity and artistry.

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6. Vessagiriya Buddhist forest monastery complex

Vessagiriya Buddhist forest monastery complex - places to visit in Anuradhapura
Vessagiriya Buddhist forest monastery complex

Vessagiriya Buddhist forest monastery complex was built in the 3rd-century BC by King Devanampiyatissa. Twenty-three cases have been found in the complex. The legend implies it was supposed to be larger than presently, as rocks from this place have been used for other construction at later stages.
It is considered that the name Vessagiriya has continued to originate from the Sanskrit word Vaishya and Sinhalese word Giri. Vaishya is one of the power castes in Indian culture which serves people in business and merchants. Giri is a Sinhalese word for hill. Hence, Vaishya Giri would mean the mountain of people in industry and traders. It also suggests that the modest monks residing here would have been merchants in their secular lives.
The inscriptions carved on the stones by monks and enthusiasts reveal the story of Vessagiriya. According to the ancient records, Arahat Mahinda Thero, who founded Buddhism in Sri Lanka, ordained 500 Vaishyans in Vessagiriya. There are still flat granite surfaces where the ascetic monks have relaxed.
Vessagiriya was considered to be known formerly as Issarasamanarama during the times of King Devanampiya Tissa.

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7. Samadhi Buddha Statue

Samadhi Buddha statue - places to visit in Anuradhapura
Samadhi Buddha Statue

The Samadhi Buddha statue at Anuradhapura is among the best-preserved figures in the country. It is famous for setting the bar against which all other statues of its kind are found. In age, the Samadhi Buddha statue records back to either the 3rd or 4th Centuries AD, albeit its producer and advocate are unknown. The park of Mahamewna, though, escorted back to the 3rd Century BC and was amongst the most advanced generous gardens in the nation, sponsored by King Mutasiva. The present Samadhi Buddha statue reveals him in a state of thoughtful consideration, one hand on top of the other on his seat in a dhyana mudra, a gesture of peace. His feet are joined in the veerasana pose. In sum, this is a giant statue, seven feet three inches high. As it is heavily restored, it is thought by many to have slightly lost its initial value. Particularly in the nose, this had to be revised with cement after being destroyed during the 19th Century.

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8. Abhayagiri Stupa

Abhayagiri Stupa - Anuradhapura
Abhayagiri Stupa

Abhayagiri Stupa in Anuradhapura, the second most abundant of the stupas in Sri Lanka, was constructed by King Vattagamini Valagamba (89-77 BC). This continues up to the area of approximately 200 hectares. According to Bhikkhu Fa-Hsien, who toured Sri Lanka in the fifth century, there had been three thousand resident monks in the Mahavihara and five thousand monks in the Abhayagiri.
The growth of Abhayagiri spread its peak in the reign of King Mahasen and was the core of Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhist structures found in the suburbs of Abhayagri show that this complex had been an essential educative institution both regionally and globally.

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9. Sandakada Pahana ( Moonstone)

Sandakada Pahana ( Moonstone) - places to visit in Anuradhapura
Sandakada Pahana ( Moonstone)

Sandakada Pahana, also called Moonstone, is a semi-circular stone slab usually seen at the bottom of staircases of ancient religious places and any ancient royal palaces in Sri Lanka. It is a novel creation of ancient Sinhalese architecture. The Moonstone placed in the Mahasen’s Palace is the most elegant and best-preserved Moonstone found in Sri Lanka.

The symbols and their combination describes a tremendous religious meaning. Prof. Senarath Paranavithana introduced the widely trusted interpretation.

According to his statement,
The Moonstone means the cycle of Sansara.
The level symbolize worldly passions Thanha
The lotus represents the final achievement of Nirvana.
The elephant, bull, lion and horse represent birth, decay, disease and death.
The swans signify the distinction between good and evil.

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10. Eth Pokuna ( Elephant pond)

Eth Pokuna ( Elephant pond)
Eth Pokuna ( Elephant pond)

Eth Pokuna, also called Elephant pond, is a massive artificial pond situated close to Lankaramaya Anuradhapura. This pond is 159 meters long, 52.7 meters crossed, and 9.5 meters in-depth, with 75,000 cubic meters of water holding volume.
The water to this pond has been provided from the Periyamkulama Tank through a system of underground waterways, and you still can see part of the water lines built out of rock slabs.
Those underground waterways still work after so many hundreds of years, and in 1982 after a hefty rainy season, you could see water pouring through these channels from the Periyamkulama tank.
This tank has been utilised by the Abayagiri monastery monks, who amounted to over five thousand priests.

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11. Lankarama Stupa

Lankarama stupa -Anuradhapura
Lankarama Stupa

Lankarama stupa was constructed by King Valagamba in an ancient place at Galhebakada in the early kingdom of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Nothing is known about the old form of the stupa, and later this was renovated. The ruins show rows of stone pillars, and it is no doubt that a house has been built encircling the stupa vatadage to embrace it. The round courtyard of the stupa seems to be three over the area. The diameter of the stupa is 14 m. The yard is round in form, and the diameter is 406 m.

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12. Abhayagiriya Museum

Abhayagiriya Museum - places to visit in Anuradhapura
Abhayagiriya Museum

The Abhayagiriya Museum, established within the ancient monastery complex of Abhayagiriya in Anuradhapura, opened for public exhibition on June 13, 1992. Designed in the traditional Panchavasa monastery plan, the museum was developed by the Central Cultural Fund with economic aid from China. It is officially classified as the ‘Mahatissa-Faxian Cultural Complex’ to commemorate Ven. Kupikkala Mahatissa, the first chief administrator of the Abhayagiri Maha Vihara, and Ven. Fa-Xian, the Chinese Buddhist monk who studied Buddhism at the Abhayagiri Maha Vihara from 411 to 412 AD. The museum is situated within the Abhayagiriya archaeological complex.

The primary purpose of the museum is to showcase, through artefacts recovered from Abhayagiriya, that Sri Lanka was a prosperous country that flourished through international relations and harmonized arts and technology remarkably. Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, the Abhayagiriya Museum stands out as a significant site for understanding the rich cultural and historical heritage of Sri Lanka.

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13. Thuparamaya Dagoba

Thuparamaya Dagoba Stupa - Anuadhapura
Thuparamaya Dagoba

Thuparama Stupa is the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka. Though it may not be as prominent as other stupas in Anuradhapura, it holds great sacred significance because it retains a collarbone relic of the Buddha. The structure we see today is a complete renovation completed in 1862, although some of the original columns still stand around the main building. King Devanampiyatissa first built Thuparama Dagoba in the 4th century to house the collarbone relic. Other remnants from the original dagoba include pillar bases, stone carvings, temple ruins, and an excellent moonstone. Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, Thuparama Stupa stands out as a site of deep historical and religious importance. 

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14 . Kuttam pokuna ( twin pond )

Kuttam pokuna ( twin pond ) - places to visit in Anuradhapura
Kuttam pokuna ( twin pond )

Kuttam Pokuna Twin Ponds is a set of dressed-stone ponds located near Abhayagiri Monastery. Bases in Anuradhapura District, Sri Lanka.
The story of the pools is considered to have been built during King Aggabodhi I (564-598 A.D.) to use the Buddhist monks of the Kapara Mula society. Although, some say that the more small pool has better features than the bigger pool. Accordingly, they believe that these two pools were not planned and built at the same time.

The pools The two pools are rectangular and built lower than the ground level. One of the pools is tinier than the other, and a narrow corridor separates both. Both pools have the same width but different lengths. The dimensions are making shorter towards the bottom of the collections. At the ground level, the size of the larger pool is 132 ft, while the smaller pool is 91 ft. The width of both reservoirs is 51 ft.

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15. Awkana Buddha statue

Awkana Buddha statue
Awkana Buddha statue

The Awkana Buddha statue is the highest ancient Buddha sculpture in Sri Lanka, standing at 12 meters in height. This statue, built in the 5th century AD, represents a standing posture and is considered a masterpiece of early Sri Lankan iconography, carved out of natural rock stone. On the way to Awkana, you will pass along the bunt of the Kala Wewa. The Awkana Buddha statue is located about 180 kilometers north of Colombo or 30 kilometers northwest of Dambulla, near the Kala Wewa Tank. It can be reached from Dambulla or Anuradhapura via the Kekirawa road. According to the Mahawansha, the Awkana statue was built during the reign of King Dhatusena (455AD-473AD) under his rule. Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, the Awkana Buddha statue stands out as an extraordinary example of ancient Sri Lankan artistry and devotion.   

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16. Kalawewa National Park

Kalawewa National Park - places to visit in Anuradhapura
Kalawewa National Park

Kalawewa National Park was declared a National Park in 2015; it includes the impressive Kalãwewa and Balaluwewa water tanks built by King Dhatusena in the 5th century. This Park of over 6000 hectares is home to elephants but with a critical feature – the herd has a great group of tuskers, male elephants with tusks (ivory). Only about seven per cent of the male elephant population have them, making tuskers a noble sight to see.

When the water levels drop from the tank beds in the dry zone, a lush grassland reveals itself – which is much interrogated after by the elephants. Resident herds and migratory herds from nearby forests all congregate to have the grass. As the Park is only open during the dry season, the chances of such sightings are very encouraging. And this is in addition to recognising large flocks of open-billed storks.

The monsoons arrive around October – November, and the grasslands disappear to give way to loaded up reservoirs. While the resident elephant herds remain, the migratory elephants return. The Park’s beautiful kumbuk trees and vegetation addition the reservoirs, birdlife and rustic surroundings. 

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17. Mihintale

Mihintale near Anuradhapura
Mihintale

Mihintale is a hill peak near Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is assumed by Sri Lankans to be the site of a meeting between the Buddhist hermit Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa, which inaugurated the appearance of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It is now a pilgrimage place and the site of several religious monuments and abandoned structures. According to the Mahavamsa, Thera Mahinda (son of India’s Emperor Asoka) came to Sri Lanka on the full moon day of Poson (June) and met King Devanampiyatissa preached the doctrine to the King and his people. The Buddhists of Sri Lanka revere the traditional spot where this meeting took place. 

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18. Tissa Wewa Reservoir

Tissa Wewa Reservoir - Anuradhapura
Tissa Wewa Reservoir

King Devanampiya Tissa built Tissa Wewa Reservoir in the 3rd century B.C. It was produced to supply water to the capital city of Anuradhapura, including the Royal Gardens located just over the wewa bund, and provide much-needed precipitation to the paddy fields in the area. Life by the old Tissa Wewa in Anuradhapura remains as it did in years gone by, and the lake still works as a vital help to the villagers in the region.
If the water level at Tissa Wewa is below, an early morning walk on the shores gives a brilliant insight into village life in the neighbourhood. Fishers are netting in their catch of Wew Maalu (small lake fish), cattle herders taking their cattle to feed on the grasses.

For birders like us, the scene is pleasant. Egrets, Grey Herons, Cormorants, Black-winged Stilts, Pelicans, Painted Stork and in season, migrants such as Kentish Plovers, Little-ringed Plovers, Barn Swallows, Sandpipers and others that frequent the lake are such a treat to observe. 

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19. Ancient Stone Bridge ( Gal Palama)

Ancient Stone Bridge ( Gal Palama) - places to visit in Anuradhapura
Ancient Stone Bridge ( Gal Palama)

The Ancient Malwathu Oya Bridge in Anuradhapura was built from stone blocks, representing a small portion of a more extensive structure. Regionally, this ancient stone bridge is recognized as Gal Palama. Initially constructed over the Yodha Ela, a canal and water outlet that brought water from a nearby tank to irrigate the surrounding rice paddies, the bridge no longer spans Yodha Ela. Instead, it now stands over a smaller, more recent waterway. There are two such ancient stone bridges in the area: one over the waterway and the other over the Malwathu Oya, the central river that feeds the region. Both bridges likely date back to the late Anuradhapura Era, though precise dating is challenging. Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, the Ancient Malwathu Oya Bridge, or Gal Palama, is a noteworthy testament to the region’s historical engineering prowess.   

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20. Jethawanarama Image House (Palimage)

Jethawanarama Image House (Palimage) - one of places to visit in Anuradhapura
Jethawanarama Image House (Palimage)

Image House, also known as Palimage, is the most prominent image house found in the Jethawanarama monastery complex in Anuradhapura. It is located west of the Jethawanarama stupa. This vaulted image house, known as Gedige, features eight-meter high solid door side-posts that lead to the twenty-five chamber stone reliquary (yantragala) and the lotus pedestal of the Buddha image. This architectural style of a vaulted house continues in Polonnaruwa, seen in Thuparama, Lankatilaka, and Tivanka image houses. Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, the Image House stands out as a significant historical and architectural landmark. 

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21.The Ancient Hospital (Vedahala)

The Ancient Hospital (Vedahala) Mihintale Anuradhapura
The Ancient Hospital (Vedahala)

Vedahala – the Ancient Hospital at the base of the mountain at Mihintale.
With the growth of the monks and the pious laymen, the inevitable need for a hospital arose. Thus, the primary Hospital at Mihintale was established by King Sena, the second (853-887 AC) at Mihintale. The description was based on a tenth-century inscription found at the site.
Presently, the ruins of a hospital with its layout restored can be seen at the entrance to the site of Mihintale. At the access to the Hospital is the outer Courtyard that consists of four rooms:
Consulting room
Room for preparation
Storage of medicine
Room for hot water baths
At the end of the outside Courtyard, to the north, is the principal building: the quadrangular Courtyard having a little shrine in the middle. The rooms are arranged on a two-high platform on all four sides of the Central Courtyard. The rooms face the shrine, which is within the Courtyard. The space of each room is approximately 100 square feet. The rooms open upon an inner Veranda delivering all cells open. 

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22. Sasseruwa Buddha Statue

Sasseruwa Buddha statue - Anuradhapura
Sasseruwa Buddha Statue

The Sasseruwa Buddha statue is located 11 km west of the Aukana Buddha statue, perched on a stony mountain with a pathway of 300 steps. Like the Aukana statue, the Sasseruwa Buddha was originally covered by a structure, as evidenced by the beam holes cut into the surrounding rock. However, marauding Dravidian enemies from South India destroyed this covering structure and all other buildings.

The Sasseruwa Buddha statue remains incomplete from head to toe: the decoration above the head, known as the “Siraspata,” was never carved into the rock; one ear is incomplete; the final polish on the Buddha’s robe was not applied; and the foundation is merely an undecorated square block of rock.

Two legends link the Sasseruwa Buddha Statue with the Aukana Buddha. Firstly, some say that cracks appeared on the statue’s torso during its construction, causing the craftsman to abandon it and create a new sculpture at Aukana.

Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, the Sasseruwa Buddha statue stands out as a testament to ancient artistry and the challenges faced during its creation.

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23. Haththikuchchi Temple

Haththikuchchi Temple - one of places to visit in Anuradhapura
Haththikuchchi Temple

Haththikuchchi Temple is located about 3.5 km west of Mahagalkadawala on the Anuradhapura-Kurunegala-Padeniya road, within the Rajanganaya and Giribawa Divisional in the Anuradhapura District. This stone pagoda network was built during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. It is set amidst beautiful ponds, lush greenery, and natural rock formations. It is famously associated with King Sirisangabo, who is said to have given his head here.

According to historical accounts, King Sirisangabo, who once ruled Anuradhapura, left his kingdom and meditated at Haththikuchchi Temple. The story goes that the king gave his head to a poor man who passed by, and this man took the head to the king’s brother, Gotabhaya. Archaeological evidence supports the association of this site with King Sirisangabo, indicating that a stupa with a vatadage and a Bodhi tree was established here.

Records and archaeological findings suggest that Haththikuchchi Temple was an active Buddhist site from the third century BC until the tenth century AD. Notable archaeological features include a pond on a rock that is never affected by the sun or moon, a stone trap resembling a reserved pavva, the temple, and the Bodhi Ghara. These elements highlight the historical and religious significance of the site.

Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, Haththikuchchi Temple stands out for its rich history and the legends surrounding King Sirisangabo. The site’s natural beauty and archaeological wonders make it a remarkable destination.

The Department of Archeology of Sri Lanka crew should also be recommended for their constant attempts to protect and manage this site.

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24. Sila Chethiya Dagoba (kujja thissa Dagoba)

Sila Chethiya dagoba (kujja thissa Dagoba) - one of places to visit in Anuradhapura
Sila Chethiya dagoba (kujja thissa Dagoba)

Sila Stupa is an archaeological site located close to the Ruwanwelisaya but has not gained much recognition from tourists and pilgrims touring Anuradhapura. This dagoba is situated in front of Ruwanwelisaya, about 2 km from the railway station in Anuradhapura. It is considered that this dagoba was constructed during the reign of King Saddhatissa, who ruled Anuradhapura from 119 to 137 BC. According to the Mahavamsa and the Manorathapurani, the remains of Arahant Kujjatissa levitated and moved to the place where the Selachethiya is found, performing a great miracle. It is thought that this dagoba has architectural features relating to the late Anuradhapura era. If you are visiting Anuradhapura, don’t forget to check out this historically significant site. Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, the radiant Ruwanwelisaya Stupa and the intriguing Sila Stupa stand out as stellar sights.   

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25. Kaludiya Pokuna ( black water Pond )

Kaludiya Pokuna ( black water Pond ) Mihintale Anuradhapura
Kaludiya Pokuna ( black water Pond )

Kaludiya Pokuna is a pond located in Mihintale, Anuradhapura. It presents evidence of one of the most exceptional water-powered developments of the Sinhalese monarchy. The pond is one of the three surviving millponds and waterways which remain functional in the area. Established at the foot of the western slopes of Mihintale, it is enclosed by what are considered to be the remains of a stupa and monastery. The pond receives its name because it appears dark most of the time due to the surrounding trees and bushes of the nearby jungles. Among the many places to visit in Anuradhapura, Kaludiya Pokuna stands out as an intriguing site that showcases the advanced hydraulic engineering of ancient Sri Lanka. If you are visiting Anuradhapura, don’t miss out on the chance to explore this historically significant pond.  

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Places to Stay in Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura offers diverse accommodation options to suit various preferences and budgets. Whether you’re seeking a luxurious escape in a serene environment or a budget-friendly stay close to the historical sites, Anuradhapura has something to offer every traveller. Visitors can choose from upscale resorts with top-notch amenities and stunning views, boutique hotels with modern comfort and traditional charm, or more economical guesthouses with a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. No matter what kind of experience you’re looking for, Anuradhapura’s accommodations cater to all needs, ensuring a comfortable and memorable stay.

Weather and Best Time to Visit Anuradhapura

My birthplace, Anuradhapura, is a destination that can be visited throughout the year, empowering you to plan your trip according to your preferences and desired experiences.

Best Time to Visit Anuradhapura:

  • December to April: This is generally considered the best time to visit Anuradhapura. The weather is warm and dry, ideal for exploring the ancient ruins, temples, and other historical sites. Clear skies and lower humidity levels also make it comfortable for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
  • May to August: Although this period includes the southwest monsoon, Anuradhapura typically experiences less rainfall than other parts of the country. This can be a great time to visit if you prefer fewer crowds and a more tranquil atmosphere. Additionally, this is when the Poson Festival, one of Sri Lanka’s most important Buddhist celebrations, draws pilgrims and visitors to the city.
  • September to November: These months are part of the inter-monsoon season, which can bring occasional showers. However, the rains usually don’t last long, and the landscape around Anuradhapura becomes lush and green, adding to the beauty of the surroundings.

As someone who knows Anuradhapura so well, you’re likely aware that each season brings its own unique charm. Whether you’re drawn to the vibrant energy of festival times or the tranquil peace of the off-season, Anuradhapura remains a timeless and captivating destination, offering you the serenity you seek.

Ravindu Dilshan Illangakoon is a distinguished co-founder and Head of Content at Sri Lanka Travel Pages, specializing in web development and article writing.
Article by
Ravindu Dilshan Illangakoon
As co-founder and Head of Content at Sri Lanka Travel Pages, I ensure that every blog post we publish is AMAZING.

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