15 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Anuradhapura

At a distance of 1.5 km from Anuradhapura Railway Station, Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred tree standing tall in the Mahamewna Gardens in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage for Buddhists from around the world and among the prime places to visit in Anuradhapura as part of Sri Lanka Packages.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple is the center of tourist attraction in Anuradhapura. Buddhists from all over the world visit this place because it enshrines the great souvenir of the past and pride of the present, the sacred Bodhi tree. This is the sapling of the original Peepal Tree at Buddha Gaya, India in whose shelter Gautama Buddha attained supreme enlightenment. As per the history, the sapling was brought to Sri Lanka by Buddhist nun Sanghamitra, the daughter of Emperor Asoka of India during the 3rd Century BC. In 288 BC, it was planted by King Devanampiya Tissa in the Mahamewna Park in Anuradhapura.

The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, as it became known, has since .....

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At a distance of 1 km from Maha Bodhi and 2 km from Anuradhapura Railway Station, Ruwanwelisaya is a Buddhist stupa situated in the ancient town of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. It is one of the popular places of pilgrimage for Buddhists and among the prime places to visit in Anuradhapura as part of Sri Lanka Tour Packages.

A UNESCO designated site, the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa is one of the largest stupas or dagobas in the heritage city of Anuradhapura. This magnificent stupa was built in 140 BC by King Dutugamunu, who was hailed to be the hero of the island. It is also called as the Maha Stupa or Ratnapali Stupa or Swarnamali Stupa. It is said that two quarts or one Drona of the Gauthama Buddha's relics are enshrined in the stupa, which is the largest collection of his relics anywhere. This is one of the 'Solosmasthana' (the 16 places of veneration) and the 'Atamasthana' (the 8 places of veneration in the ancient sacred city of Anuradhapura). The stupa was a ruin in the 19th century and .....

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At a distance of 5 km from Anuradhapura Railway Station, Abhayagiri Vihara is an ancient monastery situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is one of the most extensive ruins in the world and among the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage places in Sri Lanka.

Located at the north end of Anuradhapura, the Abhayagiri Vihara monastic complex was established in the 2nd century BC by King Valagamba in the celebration of his victory against the Indian Chola invaders. The monastery was donated to a Buddhist monk Thera Mahatissa as a token of gratitude for the moral and material support extended to the king, at a time of adversity, in exile building an army to regain his kingdom. It was once housed as many as 5,000 monks from around the world and was a thriving center of Buddhist philosophies for nearly 600 years. The monastery flourished under the patronage of King Mahasena (AD 276-303).

Encompasses over 500 acres, this monastery is encircled by great walls and containing elaborate stupas, .....

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At a distance of 600 m from Ruwanwelisaya Dagoba and 3 km from Anuradhapura Railway Station, Thuparamaya is a Buddhist stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Located in Mahamewna Park, it is one of the oldest stupas in Sri Lanka and among the prime places to visit as part of the Anuradhapura Tour Packages.

The Thuparamaya Stupa was built by King Devanampiya Tissa in the 3rd century BC and is the earliest dagoba to be constructed on the island after the introduction of Buddhism. The stupa was renovated by King Aggabodhi II in the 7th century. It is believed to enshrine the collar bone relic of Lord Buddha. The dagoba had been destroyed several times by invading forces and through natural erosion. The last recorded renovation in history was carried out in1862 AD. The name Thuparamaya comes from 'stupa' and 'aramaya' which stands for a residential complex for monks.

This studded Dagoba was built in the shape of a heap of paddy but after several attacks and renovations, it is now found .....

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At a distance of 1.5 km from Maha Bodhi Temple and 2 km from Anuradhapura Railway Station, Jetavanaramaya is an ancient Buddhist stupa situated in the sacred city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Located in the Mahamewna Park, it is one of the oldest stupas in Anuradhapura and among the sacred places to visit in Anuradhapura while holidaying in Sri Lanka.

At 400 feet, Jetavanaramaya was the tallest stupa in Sri Lanka and the third tallest ancient structure in the world when it was built by King Mahasena of Anuradhapura (273-301). He initiated the construction of the stupa following the destruction of the Mahavihara and was completed by his son Maghavanna I. It is believed that a part of a sash or belt tied by the Buddha is preserved here. The structure is significant in the island's history as it represents the tensions within the Theravada and Mahayana sects of Buddhism. Later, King Parakramabahu in the 12th century rebuilt this stupa to the current height of 232 feet, a reduction from .....

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At a distance of 2 km from Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and 3 km from Anuradhapura Railway Station, Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple located in Anuradhapura. Situated on the side of Tissa Wewa, it is one of the popular historical monuments in Anuradhapura.

Originally known as Meghagiri Vihara, the Isurumuniya Viharaya was constructed during the reign of Devanampiya Tissa as a monastic complex for 500 high caste children and then evolved to becoming a temple owing to its sanctity. Thereafter it was renovated by King Kasyapa (473 - 491 AD) who renamed it 'Boupulvan Kasubgiri Radmaha Vehera'. As per the mythology, this is the place where Pulasthi Rishi was live and the place of which King Ravana was born. This place has a written history of about 5000 years.

This charming rock temple was built partly into a cave with a lovely pool in the front and a boulder forming the rear wall. A small stupa was built on this cliff during a later period. At the picturesque entrance to Isurumuniya, a .....

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At a distance of 1 km from Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and 3 km from Anuradhapura Railway Station, Mirisawetiya is a Buddhist vihara located in Anuradhapura. Situated along the banks of Tissa Wewa, it is yet another tourist and religious spot in the ancient capital of the country, Anuradhapura.

Mirisaweti Dagoba was built by King Dutugamunu (161-137 BC), after defeating King Elara and was the first monument built by the king following his consecration. The location of the great stupa, according to the great historical narrative, Mahavamsa, is of exceptional significance. The story behind the creation of this splendid stupa is that after the king had successfully completed the war with the Cholas, the sceptre that contained the Relic of Buddha was stored by the king in a place before leaving for the water festival at Tissa Wewa. When he returned, he found the sceptre to be immovable. He then decided to provide shelter to this relic to safeguard it.

Having completed the construction .....

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At a distance of 1 km from Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and 3 km from Anuradhapura Railway Station, Archaeological Museum is a museum located in Anuradhapura. Situated on the banks of Tissa Wewa, it is one of the archaeological museums of Sri Lanka and among the prime places to visit in Anuradhapura.

Also known as Puravidu Bhavana, the Archaeological Museum in Anuradhapura was established in 1947 under the pioneering effort of Dr. Senarath Paranavitana. This is situated in the old kachcheri building between the Brazon Palace and Ruwanwelisaya. This is one of the oldest museums in the Cultural Triangle area and it has been proposed to name as the National Museum of the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka.

The museum has an interesting collection of artwork, carvings and everyday items from Anuradhapura and other historic sites around Sri Lanka. The museum displays artifacts connected with ancient capital located at Polonnaruwa which are worth watching, especially the miniature models .....

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At a distance of 1 km from Ruwanwelisaya and 2 km from Anuradhapura Railway Station, Lovamahapaya is an ancient palace in Anuradhapura. Situated between Ruwanwelisaya and Sri Maha Bodhi, it is one of the popular historical monuments in Anuradhapura.

Also known as Lohaprasada, the Lovamahapaya is a 2000-year-old palace constructed by King Dutugemunu in 2nd century BC. At first, the King built this as a place for Buddhist monks who assembled on 'Poya' days to recite the 'Pirith' but later it was transformed into a massive building which contains nearly 1000 rooms for them to rest. It had 1600 stone columns that supported nine stories. In ancient times, the building is supposed to have included a refectory, assembly hall and chapter house. It is also known as the Brazen Place because of the bronze tiles that were used on its roof. It is said that it took six years for the construction of the building.

The Brazen Palace is said to have been a beautifully detailed and jeweled .....

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At a distance of 14 km from Anuradhapura, Mihintale is a Buddhist pilgrimage site and religious complex situated near Anuradhapura. It is one of the popular pilgrimage places in Anuradhapura and among the must-visit places as part of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle Tour.

Mihintale is revered as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. According to legend, it was at Mihintale that the Indian Buddhist monk Mahinda Thera met and converted King Devanampiya Tissa to Buddhism in 247 BC. Mahinda was the son of the great Mauryan emperor Asoka, sent by his father to bring the word of the Buddha's teachings to Sri Lanka. Mihintale, literally Mahinda's Mountain, eventually became the cradle of Buddhism and Sinhalese culture.

With the arrival of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Mihintale Mountain began to serve as a residential area for the venerable monks headed by Arahath Mahinda Mahathera. But soon, with the royal patronage, the sanctuary housed a multitude of monastic buildings, stupas, uposathgharas, .....

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At a distance of 21 km from Habarana, 32 km from Sigiriya and 56 km from Anuradhapura, Ritigala is an ancient Buddhist monastery and mountain situated in Ritigala Strict Nature Reserve of Sri Lanka. It is one of the popular heritage places to visit in Anuradha as part of the Sri Lanka Tour.

At a height of 766 m above sea level, Ritigala is the highest mountain in the north-central dry plains of Sri Lanka. The mountain mass about three miles long and about two miles wide at its widest point is covered with dense jungle inhabited by wild elephants, leopards, and bears. It is the watershed of the Malwatu Oya which feeds the Nachaduwa tank and Kalueba Ela which feeds Huruluwewa. The Ritigala Mountain has been declared a Strict Natural Reserve in order to maintain its pristine environment.

Ritigala is home to 70 rock caves that were believed to had been inhabited since the first century BC. Mahavamsa, the great historical chronicle of Sri Lanka narrates that Ritigala was known .....

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At a distance of 40 km from Anuradhapura and 52 km from Puttalam, Wilpattu National Park is a park situated at Hunuwilagama in Sri Lanka. Located on the western coast of the Island, it is the oldest and the largest national park in the country.

The park has earned its name from the numerous 'villus' (natural lakes in Sinhalese) that spread across the area. Wilpattu was declared a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1905 and designated as a national park in 1938. The park was closed down for more than two decades during the Sri Lankan Civil War and was reopened to the public in 2010. Ancient ruins such as stone pillars have been discovered in the national park, near a 'villu' called Kali. It is widely believed that these are the remains of the palace of Queen Kuweni, wife of Sri Lanka's first ruler, King Vijaya.

Covering over an area of about 1,317 sq. km, the park has nearly 50 lakes and tanks within its precincts. Wilpattu is among the top national parks world-renowned for its .....

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At a distance of 16 km from Dambulla, 62 km from Polonnaruwa, 75 km from Anuradhapura, 90 km from Kandy, 100 km from Trincomalee, 176 km from Colombo and 181 km from Nuwara Eliya, Sigiriya is an ancient city in the northern Matale district of Central Province in Sri Lanka. It is probably the most visited tourist destination of Sri Lanka as part of Sri Lanka Tour Packages.

Sigiriya sits right in the middle of Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle made up of Kandy, Anuradhapura, and Polonnaruwa. Also known as the Lion's Rock or Lion Mountain, Sigiriya is a popular stop for tourists who are interested in archeological ruins as it is home to the ruins of the world recognized ancient Sigiriya Rock Fortress situated on top of a massive 200-meter high rock surrounded by the remains of an extensive network of gardens, reservoirs, and other structures. The rock itself is a lava plug left over from an ancient long extinct volcano.

Excavations at Sigiriya indicate that the area was occupied .....

Distance (From Anuradhapura): 75 Kms
Trip Duration (From Anuradhapura - Including Travel): Full Day
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At a distance of 72 km from Nuwara Eliya, 92 km from Sigiriya, 110 km from Dambulla, 116 km from Colombo, 129 km from Ella, 137 km from Polonnaruwa, 140 km from Anuradhapura, 183 km from Trincomalee, 223 km from Galle, 245 km from Mirissa, and 321 km from Jaffna, Kandy is a scenic city located in central Sri Lanka. It is the capital of the Central Province of Sri Lanka and among the must-include places in Sri Lanka Tour Packages.

Set on a high plateau in the midst of the thick tropical forests and the tea plantations is the city of Kandy, the second-largest city in Sri Lanka. More popularly known as the hill capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy is known for its spirituality and laid-back charm due to which the colonial town is frequented by tourists as well as Buddhists, especially of the Theravada School. The well-planned town of Kandy added value to its legacy and never changed its roots for the sake of development. It was declared a .....

Distance (From Anuradhapura): 139 Kms
Trip Duration (From Anuradhapura - Including Travel): Full Day
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At a distance of 39 km from Negambo, 116 km from Kandy, 126 km from Galle, 150 km from Mirissa, 161 km from Dambulla, 167 km from Nuwara Eliya, 202 km from Anuradhapura, 205 km from Ella, 230 km from Polonnaruwa and 395 km from Jaffna, Colombo is the commercial capital and the largest city of Sri Lanka by population. Located in the western province of the Island, it is one of the must-include places in Sri Lanka Tour Packages.

With rich colonial heritage and very scenic and popular attractions, Colombo is arguably the most popular tourist destination in Sri Lanka. Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the legislative capital of the country, is within the urban area of the city, hence Colombo is often called the capital of Sri Lanka as well. It is also the administrative capital of the Western Province and the capital of Colombo district. The name 'Colombo', is believed to be derived from the classical Sinhala name Kolon Thota, meaning 'port .....

Distance (From Anuradhapura): 202 Kms
Trip Duration (From Anuradhapura - Including Travel): Full Day
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