Anuradapura

This sacred city was established around a cutting from the ‘tree of enlightenment’, the Buddha’s fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries and monuments, is now accessible once again. The city is now a World Heritage Site famous for its well-preserved ruins of the ancient Sinhalese Civilization

Anuradhapura was also the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries and has been a major Buddhist pilgrimage site with ruins of many ancient Buddhist temples, including the famous Ruwanweli Maha Seya and the Jaya Siri Maha Bodhi. These vast network of ancient temples and monasteries now cover over 40 sq km of area of the city today. The city is the headquarters of Sri Lanka’s archaeological survey, and tourism is a significant factor in its economy.

Area : 28.53 km²

Elevation : 500m
Weather : 72ºF – 93ºF

UNESCO site ID: 200

Distance From Colombo 169 Km