Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura – The Ancient Kingdom of Sri Lanka

Step back in time and explore the sacred city of Anuradhapura, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and a cornerstone of Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage. As the first capital of ancient Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura served as the center of Theravāda Buddhism and royal power for over a millennium.

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is home to an extraordinary collection of well-preserved ruins, including towering dagobas (stupas), royal palaces, monastic complexes, and intricately carved stone monuments. Among its most revered sites is the Sri Maha Bodhi—a sacred fig tree believed to be a sapling from the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment.

Anuradhapura – Cradle of Sri Lankan Civilization

This sacred city was founded around a cutting from the Bodhi Tree, the very tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. Brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, a revered Buddhist nun and the founder of the Order of Buddhist Nuns, the tree became a powerful symbol of spiritual devotion.

Anuradhapura served as the political and religious capital of ancient Ceylon for over 1,300 years, flourishing as a center of Buddhist culture, architecture, and governance. After a devastating invasion in 993 AD, the city was gradually abandoned and reclaimed by the jungle, remaining hidden for centuries.

Today, the grandeur of Anuradhapura’s palaces, monasteries, and monumental stupas has been uncovered and restored, offering visitors a glimpse into the profound legacy of one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. It stands as a timeless testament to Sri Lanka’s spiritual and cultural heritage.