Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura’s ruins are without a doubt the most evocative sights in South Asia. This enormous complex has an elaborate variety of architectural and archaeological wonders, including massive brick towers, decaying temples, massive dagobas, and archaic lakes, all of which were built during Anuradhapura’s long reign. Currently, the majority of the sites in this area are used mainly as temples and sacred places. Constant festivities maintain the ebullience and buoyancy of Anuradhapura, which contrasts sharply with the atmosphere in Polonaruwa.

Anuradhapura now is a completely different place. It’s a fascinating city, despite its size. In juxtaposition to the unattractive concrete agglomerations prevalent elsewhere, its main street is tidy. This holy city was built around a sliver of the ‘tree of enlightenment,’ which is thought to be the Buddha’s fig tree. According to legend, the tree was brought there by Sanghamitta, the founder of a Buddhist nuns’ order, in the 3rd century B.C.

Anuradhapura, Ceylon’s religious and political capital, flourished for 1300 years before succumbing to the invasion in 993. After being engulfed in impenetrable forests for several years, this great tourist destination with its amazing sights, resorts, monuments, palaces, and monasteries is now again accessible.