DESTINATIONs
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura was the chief administrative city during 4th century BC to the 11th century AD. The ancient city, named after the minister ‘Anuradha’ (500 BC) is renowned for its archaeological and cultural value. Anuradhapura is a treasured religious site for Buddhists as it contains hundreds of enormous Stupas (dagoba) built by ancient kings. Some of these dagobas are functioning to this day as holy temples of Buddhists. To this day these sites are filled with Buddhists observing sil on Poya days. The Jaya Sri Maha Bodi – the oldest living human-planted tree in the world is the southern branch of the Sacred Fig tree (Ficus Religiosa) at Bodh Gaya, India. Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment under Sri Maha Bodhi at Bodh Gaya.
"In Sri Lanka, there grows to this day, a tree, the oldest historical tree in the world which we know certainly to have been planted as a cutting from the Bodhi tree in the year 245 B.C."- - H.G. Wells
When in Anurdhapura some of the must visit archeological and architectural wonders are Isurumuniya, Jethawanaramaya, King Mahasen’s Palace,Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Ponds), Lankarama, Lovamahapaya (Brazen Temple),Mirisawetiya stupa, Museums,Ruwanwelisaya, Rathna Prasadaya (Gem Palace), Samadhi Statue, Thuparamaya, Tooth Relic Temple, and tanks (Basawakkulama, tisaWewa, Nuwara Wewa)
