Joanna James
Most travellers out there may be familiar with places like Kandy and Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka, but what about Anuradhapura? Not many may know about this place, but it is in the cultural triangle of Sri Lanka and holds a massive historical significance as well. In fact, most of the sites are UNESCO certified and may require an entrance fee, but they are absolutely worth seeing! Here are a few places you ought to visit if you plan on going to Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka for your next holiday.
This is a larger rock which is considered a sacred place and you can only get to it by climbing the steps all the way up. The steps are carved into a stone hill and are a little tricky to climb so you will have to watch your step. Right at the summit where the viewpoint has enough room for just 4 – 5 people, therefore, try to make it early when there are no crowds for the best experience!
If you are wondering about the backstory of this place, well, it is said that an Indian monk named Mahinda arrived in Sri Lanka as a missionary. He made his way to Anuradhapura where he became an arhat and converted King Devanampiyatissa which was the beginning of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.
This is one of the most sacred temples in Sri Lanka as a sapling from the sacred Bodhi tree in Indian was planted here. Today, it is hundreds of years old and is right at the centre of the temple. The best part is that entrance is free unlike many other sites here. It is the perfect attraction to visit if you would like to see how local devotees go about their religious customs. The entire place is so serene it will leave your soul refreshed as well.
This is a wonderful rock temple that was built way back between 307 and 267 BC. There are ancient rock carvings here that will leave you awe-inspired. The Isuruminya Lovers is the most popular on here and it is absolutely beautiful! There is a small pond here as well where you can take a few lovely snaps. You can climb to the stupa on the rock and marvel at it. Usually, the Buddhist devotees need to be dressed in white, but you might be able to get through if you are a foreigner.
This attraction is no more than a 2-minute walk away from Isurumuniya. It is free to enter, and you can hire a guide for about 1000 – 2000 LKR. There are so many plants here but little information as to what they are. Nonetheless, it is worth a visit.
Although in ruins today, this used to be a famous jewelled palace which is said to have been 7 storeys high! The most impressive feature is the guard stone where a carving of a king cobra holding flowering branches is displayed. The attraction is just a 41-minute drive away from Ulagalla and many other villas in Anuradhapura.
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