SRI LANKA

The Sacred City of Anuradhapura

Aukana Buddha Statue
Anuradhapura became the capital of Sri Lanka in the 4th century BC. Sri Lankan history from the 4th century BC up to 10th century A.D is generally referred as “Anuradhapura” period. King “Pandukabhaya” the third king of Vijayan dynasty became the king after great struggle against his uncles. He is the one who formally planned the city, with gates, quarters for traders etc. Anuradhapura kingdom lasted one thousand and four hundred years until it was invaded by South Indian Chola forces in 1017. It was a very wealthy city which created a unique culture and a great civilization. Today Anuradhapura is one of the world’s major archaeological site it is covered area about 40 km².
Introduction of Buddhism took place in reign of king “Devanampiyathissa” in 250~210 B.C. During this time Emperor Ashoka in India sent many Buddhist
missionaries to Asian ountries. King “Devanampiyathissa” was a close friend of Emperor Ashoka ,he sent his son “Mahindha” thera as the head of a mission to introduce Buddhism to Sri Lanka. By the introduction of the Buddhism, the city gained more prominence and the great building era began. During this time vast monastery complexes and some of the tallest buildings in the ancient world were built for example Jetavanaramaya, Maha Vihara and Abhayagiri. The Jetavanaramaya dagoba is treated as the tallest brick structure in the world. As Anuradhapura city was in dry zone rulers constructed large lakes to irrigate paddy lands and also to supply water to the city and also it had the most complex irrigation systems of the ancient world.

Sri Maha Bodhia
Sri Maha Bodhia is the right branch of the secred Bodhi tree where Buddha attained enlightenment. This was brought to Sri Lanka by “Sangamitta Their” in 3rd century B.C. The Bodhi branch was received with respect by the King Devanampiyathissa and was planted in the terrace prepaired for it in Mahameuna garden Anuradhapura. This is treated as the oldest living tree in the world in documented history and it is a place respected by Buddhist’s from all around the world.

Ruwanweli Stupa the magnificent Stupa in Anuradhapura
Ruvanveli Dagoba was built by King Dutugemunu , who is treated as one of the most outstanding ancient Kings of Sri Lanka and this treated as one of the most greatest Stupas in the world.This magnificent huge Dagaba which is 103 meters in height and 287 meters in circumference was built in 2nd century B.C.

Abhayagiri Stupa in Anauradhapura
It was King Valagamba (Vattagamani Abhaya) in 103 B.C. founded this large monastery Abhayagiriya and gave it to Mahathissa thera who had protected the king when in adversity. Abhayagiriya is treated as the second highest dagoba in Sri Lanka.

The magnificent Twin Ponds of Anuradhapura
Kuttam Pokuna or Twin ponds are the most magnificent bathing ponds located at Anuradhapura. These breathtaking beautiful ponds tell everyone how artistic and the knowledge ancient Sri Lankan had in engineering

Aukana Buddha Statue
Awkana Statue is situated in Anuradhapura district 51 km southeast of Anuradhapura. The 13 meter high statue is carved out of solid granite on a lotus pedestal. This was built during the reign of King “Dathusena” in 5th century AD and this is treated as one of the magnificent carved stature in Sri Lanka.

Thuparamaya The very first Stupa built in Ceylon
Thuparama stupa is treated as the first historical built stupa in Sri Lanka by King Devanampiyathissa. It was built by enshrining the right collarbone of the Buddha. Originally this stupa was in a shape of a heap of paddy and later once the repairs were done it has the shape of a water bubble.

Magnificent stone carving of Isurumuniya Lovers
Isurumuniya temple was built by King Devanampiyathissa. It is very popular for its rock carving among them is the Isurumuniya lovers. It is believed that the figures may represent son of Dutugemunu “Saliya” and the law caste maiden “Asokamala” whom he loved. It’s known that he gave up the throne for her.King Kasyapa the 1st in 473-491 AD renovated this and named this as “Boupulvan, Kasubgiri Radmaha Vehera”

Mihintale sri lanka
Mihinthale is located about 8 miles east of Anuradhapura about 1000 feet high mountainous range.place very popular among Buddhist as the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. This was the place where Arahath Mahinda thera met King Devanampiyathissa. It is stated that King Devanampiyathissa constructed a Vihara.

Jetavanarama Stupa in Sri Lanka
Jethavana stupa which is 121 meters in height was built by King Mahasena in 3rd century A.D. This massive brick structure is treated as the largest and tallest brick built structure in the world.

Mirisawetiya stupa Sri lanka
Mirisaveti Stupa was built in 2nd century B.C. by King Dutugamunu after defeating King Elara. Currently this stupa is partial decayed and under construction by the Cultural Triangle

Magul Uyana (Gardens) is situated close to Isurumuniya Vihara Anuradhapura. In the gardens there were lot of ponds and seats made from stone. It is said that Prince Saliya met Ashokamala met in this garden.

Rathna Prasadaya
This was skyscraper built by King Kanittha Tissa. During 8th and 10th centuries this was renovated by King Mihindu II and Mihindu IV.


Vessagiri is located about half a mile south of Isurumuniya, in a mountainous region. Scattered around 23 caves made of stone with the inscribed names of it’s donor. These are treated as the oldest inscriptions in Sri Lanka written in Brahmi script.

Sri Lanka has more than 400 species of birds, of which 21 are unique to the island, and many more are only found in south India. Travelling through the country, it is easy to see them at fairly close quarters. Many perch conveniently on electrical wires, displaying their colourful plumage at the roadside.
At first it seems that the ever-present crows, of which there are two species, are the only birds in town, rooting through dustbins and dodging traffic, but a dawn walk will provide a fair bird list. There are the sweet-songed black and white magpie robin, the green barbet, the golden oriole, which migrates from India, and the noisy, chattering grey indian babbler, as well as bulbuls, noisy flocks of parakeets and the chocolate coloured mynah. Cormorants and snake birds are the diving champions, whilst plovers and waders keep to the muddy banks. The painted stork ventures further in search of crabs, frogs and water snakes and with luck you may spot a kingfisher waiting to pounce. One bird even the most amateurish ornithologist will be able to identify is the spoonbill,swishing the water from side to side, like a diner searching for something in his soup. Another strange creature is the pheasant-tailed jacana, which has developed elongated toes for walking across lily pads.







The rarer rainforest and mountain birds are not at all difficult to spot if you visit any of the parks or sanctuaries. In contradiction of the proverb, birds of different feather do flock together, including leafbirds, flycatchers and babblers. The brilliant blue magpie lives in groups in the hill forests, feeding on insects. The pied ground thrush got its name because it has variegated markings on its wings and is often found foraging through leaf litter. The malabar trogon is widespread in Sri Lanka, the male easily identifiable by his bright red breast and black head. Others to look for are yellow-green ceylon iora, the wedge-tailed drongo, as well as barbets, parrots and minivets in the orginal forests of the wet zone mountains. An infamous bird of the forests is the "devil bird", so named for the horrifying sound of its call that is uttered in the middle of the night. Although it is not difficult to hear, no one has positively identified the marker of the sounds. The raucous call of the bizarre Malabar pied hornbill in the dry zone will guide you to the flocks that live on the tallest tree tops. Other birds regularly seen on drives around the island ate raptors, in particular hawks and eagles. Most of the reservoirs have the fishing tank eagle or the white-bellied sea eagle. Mountains with cliffs are frequented by the black eagle and the mountain hawk eagle, the brahiminy kite, and the serpent eagle, which are all predators who prey on small mammals and birds.

The fauna of Sri Lanka is exceedingly rich for such a small island. Of the large mammals there are the elephant, buffalo, elk, spotted deer, leopard and sloth bear. The elephants of Sri Lanka do not sport large tusks as a rule, and when they do ("tuskers") it is only in the males. Once the elephant was found all over the country, much like the leopard, elk and spotted deer. Today they are generally confined to the lowland dry zone, the leopard and elk still maintaining their presence in the mountain forests. Sri Lanka has two smaller deer, the mouse deer and barking deer, both shy creatures that can sometimes be seen at dawn and dusk. The wild boar is widespread and is often encountered during night drives through the country. Three small cats - the fishing cat, the jungle cat and the rusty spotted cat are all secretive by nature, nocturnal and most often seen crossing the road at night. The mongoose is another widely distributed animal- there are four species on the island, the largest being the rare badger mongoose with a badger-like marking on its neck. There are three species of monkey. The two most common species are the red-faced macaque and the grey langur. The grey langur has a black face and grey body and is usually shy of humans. The third type is in rare purple-faced leaf monkey or bear monkey, so named for its robust body and shaggy fur. It is usually encountered in mountain forests.






Of the smaller mammals, there are two subspecies of giant squirrel, and a flying squirrel. The giant squirrels inhabit the tops of very large trees and are rarely seen. The flying squirrel, on the other hand, is much more easily observed. Flying squirrels have a translucent membrane between their front and back legs that enables them to glide from tree to tree. Many large reptiles are found in Sri Lanka, the largest being the saltwater crocodile, a true giant attaining size exceeding 8 meters (25ft). And the water monitor measuring 2 meters (7ft). It is not unusual to see large land monitors or lizards crossing the road.