Joanna James
Once a royal kingdom in Sri Lanka, the city of Anuradhapura, today, is a cultural site that has won the attraction of tourists all around the world. Many stupas, ponds, and royal parks are here in this sacred city, and it's also a popular site of pilgrimage, especially for the Buddhists.
Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in India, and what you see in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka is a sapling of the same tree. So, this sacred tree is certainly one of the most ancient trees in the world that is over 2550 years old. No matter when you visit this sacred site, it will be fully crowded with visitors. However, a visit amidst the crowd is still worth it. Make sure you wear decent clothes (white or light colour clothing that does not reveal shoulders and knees) when you visit the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
Ruwanweliseya is one of the most sacred religious and cultural heritages in Sri Lanka. It's located so close to where Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is, so you may cover both these religious attractions in one go. This massive stupa is also considered as one of the most blessed places in the world. As this is a religious place, you will have to remove your shoes and hats before you enter the temple premises.
Although Mihintale is not located in the city limit, you may cover this attraction during a visit to Anuradhapura. It's a rock that can be climbed and its 1840 steps will take you to the summit of it. During the Poson month (June in which the Buddhists celebrate Poson Festival), the entire Mihintale area gets decorated with bulbs and various decorations celebrating the receipt of the gift of Buddhism by Mihindu Thero to Sri Lanka.
Online sources such as Truly Sri Lanka suggest many great statues of Lord Buddha for you to explore in Sri Lanka, and they are made of different materials such as gold, clay, wood, or pure rock. This Samadhi Buddha statue located in the Mahamewna Park in Anuradhapura has been carved from dolomite marble and is considered one of the finest Buddha statues in the whole world. The statue is 7.3 ft in its height and the position of the Buddha is called Dhyana Mudra.
Although Ritigala is 43 kilometres away from Anuradhapura, it's also a historical attraction worth exploring. The mountain has four peaks and the entire area has been named as a strict nature reserve by the Department of Wildlife Conservation of Sri Lanka. There has been a Buddhist monastery here since the 1st century BC and its ruins are still available for explorations. There are also ruins of a man-made reservoir that has been built during the same era, and the irrigation techniques used to make these creations are mindblowing to observe. It's better if you can have a guided tour because there's so much to learn about the heritage and history of Sri Lanka on this tour.
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