Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura is a significant city in Sri Lanka’s north-central plain Sinhala, romanized as Anurdhapuraya; Tamil, romanized as Aurtapuram). It serves as both the provincial and district seat of Sri Lanka’s North Central Province. On the banks of the famed Malvathu River, the city is located in the North Central Province, 205 kilometers (127 miles) north of Colombo, the country’s present capital. The well-preserved ruins of the ancient Sinhalese civilization have made the city a World Heritage Site. While Mahavamsa dates the city’s origin to 437 BCE, the location has been inhabited far earlier, making it one of the oldest continuously populated towns in Asia and a significant human presence on the island for close to three millennia. It is the origin of the Theravada school of Buddhism, the Hydraulic Sinhalese civilization, and the longest-lasting ancient capital of Sri Lanka, having endured for more than 1500 years. After the kingdoms of Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara, it served as the initial capital of the Sinhalese kingdom of Rajarata. For many years, Anuradhapura was also the center of Theravada Buddhism. It is now a well-known Buddhist pilgrimage site with the ruins of numerous ancient Buddhist temples, including the renowned Mahavihara and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, which is thought to be the world’s oldest tree and the oldest still-growing, documented tree. It is under this tree that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment in the Indian state of Bihar. Today, the city’s extensive network of ancient temples and monasteries spans an area of more than 40 sq km. With the Cholar invasion from South India after 993 CE, the city was mostly destroyed and abandoned. Anuradhapura was not restored as the island’s primary population center until the British colonial era in the 19th century CE, despite numerous attempts by successive Sinhalese rulers to do so. In the 1870s, the current city’s revitalization got going. The modern city, which was mostly relocated in the middle of the 20th century to maintain the location of the ancient capital, is located alongside a railway line and is a significant road junction in northern Sri Lanka. The city serves as the administrative center for Sri Lanka’s archaeological survey, and tourism plays a big role in the country’s economy.
Anuradhapura was a significant Theravada Buddhist intellectual hub and the residence of eminent Buddhist scholars like Buddhaghosa.
Dhatusena’s rule (455–473) saw the rewriting of the Theravada Buddhist canon, the construction of 18 new vihara (temple complexes), and the erection of a statue honoring Mahinda, the Indian prince-monk who brought Buddhism to the island
The Sri Lankan royal family and aristocracy actively backed Buddhism throughout the late Anuradhapura period. As a result, they frequently paid for artwork and gave it to Buddhist temples. In exchange, the temple and the neighborhood’s Buddhists backed the king’s rule. Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Mercy and Compassion, appeared in more and more popular artworks
Ruwanvalisaya
Anuradhapura was a significant Theravada Buddhist intellectual hub and the residence of eminent Buddhist scholars like Buddhaghosa.
Dhatusena’s rule (455–473) saw the rewriting of the Theravada Buddhist canon, the construction of 18 new viharas (temple complexes), and the erection of a statue honoring Mahinda, the Indian prince-monk who brought Buddhism to the island.
The Sri Lankan royal family and aristocracy actively backed Buddhism throughout the late Anuradhapura period. As a result, they frequently paid for artwork and gave it to Buddhist temples. In exchange, the temple and the neighborhood’s Buddhists backed the king’s rule. Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Mercy and Compassion, appeared in more and more popular artworks.
This is one of the 16 sites of worship known as the “Solosmasthana” and the “Atamasthana.” (the 8 places of veneration). With a height of 103 meters (338 feet) and a circumference of 290 meters, the stupa is one of the oldest and tallest structures in the world. (951 ft). Numerous rulers restored the stupa, which had an original height of roughly 55 meters (180 feet). After this stupa, the Kaunghmudaw Pagoda in Sagaing, Myanmar was designed. The Mahavamsa provides a thorough account of the stupa’s construction and dedication ceremonies.
By the 19th century, the stupa had been completely overtaken by nature. It was restored in the early 20th century as a result of Bhikkhus’ fundraising efforts. The Ruwanweli Seya Restoration Society was established with a donation of Rs 20 million from philanthropist Hendrick Appuhamy. (1912 ) The foundation was established in 1902, the modern crowning (a “crown” is a large gem placed at the very top of the stupa) was done on June 17, 1940, and the final crowning of the stupa took place on November 26, 2019. Adjusted for inflation in 2021, it is worth 611 million US Dollars for the restoration works.
Thuparamaya
The first known Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka is Thuparamaya. Its construction began after Mahinda Thera (Mahindagamanaya) arrived and brought Buddhism to the island.
The Thuparamaya Stupa, which dates back to the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa, is the oldest Dagoba ever built on the island and is situated within the holy precinct of Mahamewna Park. (247-207 BC).[1] The temple is recognized by the government and included on Sri Lanka’s list of protected archaeological sites.
Thuparamaya has a tight connection to Mahinda Thera, the ambassador who King Ashoka dispatched to Sri Lanka to introduce Theravada Buddhism and Chaitya worship. King Devanampiya Tissa built Thuparamaya at Mahinda’s request to house the right collarbone of the Buddha, giving rise to the assertion that it was the first stupa ever constructed in Sri Lanka. Additionally, it heralds the official entry of Buddhism. The words “stupa” and which refer to a monks’ housing complex, are the roots of the name Thuparamaya.
The tank known as Madamanaka (Palumekichchawa Wewa) in Upala Vibajaka was built for 5000 Kahavanu and donated on behalf of the Bhikkus who were residing at the Thuparama temple, according to the Palumekichchawa Inscription. It further says that the paddy harvest from the farms around the tank was given to the Bhikkus there. The name of the Thuparama temple is engraved on the earliest known chiseled stone inscription, which dates to the reign of King Gajabahu. (114-136 A.D.)
The stupa
Bell-shaped Thuparamaya Dagoba was constructed. Occasionally, this dagoba was destroyed. The location was completely repaired by royal decree during King Agbo II’s reign after it had fallen into ruin. The dagoba was rebuilt in 1842, and it is when it was in its current state. The monument has undergone numerous modifications over the ages, and as of the twenty-first century, the base has a circumference of 59 feet (18 meters). The complete edifice has a dome that is 164+12 feet (50.1 m) in diameter and is raised on a plinth that is 11 feet 4 inches (3.45 m) off the ground. Two rows of stone pillars surround the dagoba and the compound is surrounded by a granite floor. These are the remains of the once-existing roofed vatadage that covered Thuparamaya.
Lovamahapaya
The Brazen Palace, also known as Lovamahapaya, is a 2000-year-old palace that King Dutugemunu built in the second century B.C. It featured 1600 stone columns supporting nine levels that reached 150 feet in height and sides that were 400 feet long with 1000 chambers. Due to the bronze tiles that were utilized on its roof, it is also referred to as the Brazen Place. Additionally, there is a roofed structure that serves as a recreation of how the original building might have appeared. The Maha Vihara monastic order currently makes use of this structure as a contemporary chapter house. In the Mahavihara monastery, there is also a 45-foot rice boat made of stone that was formerly capable of preparing alms for 3,000 monks at once. The location of this spot, which is between Ruvanveliseya and the Maha Bodhi Temple, makes it convenient for visitors visiting Anuradhapura. Even though it is now in ruins, the building is a reminder of a bygone era and a valuable repository of local history and culture.
Mihintale
Regardless of your religious views, Mihintale is a memorable destination. It is known as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka and is made up of a series of stunning temples, stupas, and caves that are spread across forested hills and are frequently crowded with pious, white-robed visitors. Legend has it that King Devanampiyatissa was converted to Buddhism by the Indian missionary Mahinda at Mihintale, also known as “Mahinda’s Hill,” in 247 BC, establishing Buddhism as the island’s official religion. Mahinda, the famous Mauryan ruler Asoka’s son, was tasked by his father with spreading the Buddha’s teachings in Sri Lanka. Unlike in India, where it was born, and it would later go into terminal decline, Buddhism was immediately adopted with fervor by the Sinhalese people and quickly became firmly established in the island. Religious significance is given to high places all across the world, which causes followers to constantly ascend stairs. occasionally on their knees. One such location is Mihintale, which has a number of shrines connected by a total of 1,840 stairs that eventually lead to the summit and are sufficiently steep to call for deep breaths and a slow, deliberate pace. Although a subsequent paved road offers a quick shortcut up to the first level, they were constructed during the time of Bhathika Abhaya
