Sri Lankan Information Portal

Sri Lanka has many varied sites of historical and cultural importance. While the ruins of the ancient cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa have a grandeur that is hard to surpass, there are lesser known sights with an ambience all of their own. Here one finds the remains of a flourishing ancient civilisation. This great past is reflected in the huge Dagobas, palaces and monuments. Its impressive remains were discovered in the early 19th century and have been in the process of restoration ever since. They lie to the west and north of the modern town of Anuradhapura.

The Buddhist culture of Sri Lanka is over 2500 years old – the difference is that this is a living culture. The thousands of years old ancient cities and shrines are living places of religious worship. Visit the ancient cities of Sri Lanka with a customized Ancient Cities tour Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka’s first capital, founded in the 5th century B.C, it was a potent symbol of Sinhalese power, and the most extensive and important of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities. It became a capital of the country in 380 BC and for over 1000 years Sinhalese kings ruled from this great city. Its impressive remains were ‘discovered’ in the early 19th century and have been in the process of restoration ever since. They lie to the west and north of the modern town of Anuradhapura.

Anuradhapura Sri Lanka

Documented history of Sri Lanka begins with the arrival of the Aryans from India who introduced the use of iron and advanced agricultural methods and irrigation. They also introduced the art of government and a number of Sinhalese kingdoms took root across the island during the 4th century BC with Anuradhapura, in the northern plains, the strongest kingdom.

206 km (155 miles) north of Colombo is Anuradhapura; This ancient capital of Sri Lanka is a Sacred City today; a potent symbol of Sinhalese power, and the most extensive and important of Sri Lanka’s ancient cities.

Here you will find the Sacred Bo-Tree – over 2,000 years old. The Sacred Bo-Tree is the city’s holiest site, and was grown from the tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment – originally a sapling from the tree in North India. The Isurumuniya Temple (3rd century B.C.) with its unique sculptures stands beside the breezy bund of the Tissawewa – a huge fresh water tank; while in the heart of the city stands the white-stone Ruwanveliseya Dagoba surrounded by a wall of carved elephant heads. The Thuparama Dagoba, the oldest of many temples in Anuradhapura, is believed to contain the right collar-bone of Buddha. The Jetavanarama Dagoba is the largest remaining structure and may once have been over 100m (328ft) in height and housed an estimated 3000 Buddhist monks. There are also museums that invite exploration, marvelously restored twin ponds called Kuttam Pokuna which were used by monks as ritual baths, and immense tanks built to provide irrigation water for the growing of rice. Other Attractions worth seeing are:- The Brazen Palace, Mirisavati Dagaba, Abhayagiri Dagaba, and the Samadhi Buddha.
Weather :Warm & Sunny
Population:99,000

There are plenty of Colombo-Anuradhapura buses each day; you can either catch an older style bus for around US$0.60 or lash out and spend an extra US$0.70 for a ride in an inter-city air-conditioned bus. Trains also go to Anuradhapura. The best way to explore the area is by bicycle.

Dambulla

148 km from Colombo and South of Sigiriya is another vast isolated mass of rock called Dambulla, built in 1301. On the summit of Dambulla is a cluster of five temples, which from ancient times have been the abode of monks. It was here that King Valagam Bahu took refuge in the 1st century B.C. He later turned the caves into a rock temple. Hewn out of this rock is a gigantic recumbent image of the Buddha 14 meters long. These temples are painted throughout with most exquisite murals depicting the life and teachings of the Buddha. Some of the frescoes are over 2,000 years old. It is situated in the Matale District.
Weather: Warm and Sunny
Population:56,000

Mihintale
This is a mountain situated in the Anuradhapura District, 217 km from Colombo, the weather quite warm and sunny. Population:22,000 . It is situated 11 km. east of Anuradhapura and regarded as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, since it was here that Arhat Mahinda met King Devanampiyatissa, and preached the doctrine of Buddhism to him. Arhat Mahinda had arrived with a retinue of monks from India to preach Budhism in Sri Lanka. Arhat Mahinda was the son of Emperor Asoka of India. The rock is dotted with shrines and rock dwellings. A grand stairway of 1840 steps made of granite slabs, 5 metres wide, leads to the summit with its splendid view of the surrounding countryside.

Polonnaurwa
The island’s medieval capital (11th to 13th century A.D.) is situated 216 km. from Colombo and rose to fame after the decline of Anuradhapura. The largest of the man made reservoirs, the huge Parakrama Samudra, is larger in size than the Colombo harbour. See also the ruins of the King’s Council Chamber, the Royal Citadel, the Kumara Pokuna, Royal Pavilion, the Vatadage Relic House lavished with moonstones, guard stones and sculptured railing, Kiri Vehera – the best preserved of all Sri Lanka’s un-restored dagabas; Gal Vihare – the most impressive sculptures are the colossal Buddha images carved on the face of a granite boulder. The recumbent Buddha measures 14 metres and the standing figure is 7 metres in height.

Polonnaruwa

The remains of the ancient lakeside city of Polonnaruwa, 75km (46mi) south-east of Anuradhapura, date mostly from the reign of the Indian Chola dynasty in the 11th and 12th century, but they cover a more compact site and are in an excellent state of repair.

Weather: Warm and Sunny
Population:106,000

Sigiriya
This rock fortress is today designated the eighth wonder of the world . Situated in the Matale District, 169 km from Colombo. This rock fortress was built by king Kasyapa in the 5th century A.D. and was a royal citadel for more than 18 years. In a sheltered pocket, approached by a spiral stairway, are the famous frescoes. The summit of the rock, with an area of nearly one hectare was the site of the palace, the outer wall of which was built on the very brink of the precipice. The UNESCO – sponsored Central Cultural Fund has restored Sigiriya’s 5th century Water Gardens to their former glory.

Sigiriya

The spectacular rock fortress of Sigiriya is an impregnable fortress, a monastic retreat, and a rock art gallery. Built in the 5th century AD to fend off a feared invasion, it is situated atop a 200m (656ft) high rock, and at the height of its glory must have been akin to a European chateau. There are water gardens, 5th century rock paintings of well endowed topless damsels, a 1000-year-old graffiti wall recording visitors impressions of the pin-ups, a couple of enormous stone lion paws and panoramic views.

Weather: Warm & Sunny. To get to Sigiriya from Colombo, hop on a bus that stops at Dambulla, and from there catch any of the hourly buses going to the rock fortress, a total of 191km (118mi) away.

Aluvihara
Situated in the Matale District, 142 km from Colombo. The weather is quite cool. It is 26 km. from Kandy. An ancient rock temple of great significance in the history of Buddhism. The Buddhist canon and its commentaries, which were till then handed down orally, were written for the first time at the Aluvihara Temple.

Yapahuwa
An ancient fortress and capital built in the year 1301, approximately 145 km. from Colombo, Yapahuwa is a rock rising to a height of 90 metres. Many traces of the ancient battle defences can still be seen, while an ornamental stairway remains its biggest showpiece.