ANURADHAPURA - I

ANURADHAPURA

This magnificent city of Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka’s most sacred town and has some of the most remarkable ruins in the world. This city served as a great monastic centre. It continued residence and royal capital for over 100 successive Sinhalese Kings for around 1500 years from the 4th century BC to the 8th century AD, after which it was abandoned and the capital crossed over to Polonnaruwa.

Anuradhapura has eight main places of veneration, known as “Atamasthana”. These eight places include Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Thuparamaya , Ruwanwelisaya , Lovamahapaya, Abayagiri Dagoba, Jetavanaramaya, Mirisaveti Stupa and Lankarama.

1.Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

The Sri Maha Bodhi, an ancient historical sacred tree in the universe, is a cutting from the very Bodhi tree in Buddha Gaya in India beneath which the Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. This is one of Sri Lanka’s greatest religious images and symbolizes the grandeur of the Lord Buddha. In around 250 BC this adorable tree was brought to Sri Lanka by the daughter (Theri Sangamitta) of the great Emperor Asoka of India and sister of Arahat Mahinda, the monk who introduced Buddhism to Sri Lanka in the Poson Poya Day. All over the centuries the Sri Maha Bodhi has been represented by Buddhists in Sri Lanka and throughout the world. Today it is looked upon as an imperial treasure.

The following places are venerated monuments known as dagobas or stupas. Mostly shaped like a tea cup turned upside down, the significance of theses dagobas lies in the fact that one or more holy relics of the Buddha are enshrined within the walls.

2.Thuparamaya

This dagoba is regarded to be the first in Sri Lanka which was built in the shape of a heap of paddy. King Devanam Piya Tissa was built the Thuparama dagoba to enshrine the Right Collar Bone of Lord Buddha. The Thuparamaya as it stands today is after several renovations, having once been completely ruined and its present ‘bell” shape.

3.Ruwanweliseya

Known as an “eminent Stupa” Ruwanweliseya is undoubtedly just that. A perfect pinnacle standing over 300 feet tall with a diameter of 370 feet, the massive Ruwanweliseya is possibly the most sacred dagoba in the entire island, as it is confided to house the largest number of relics of the Buddha. Construction of this great dagoba was thought to have started during the reign of King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BC. This dagoba considered an exclusive type of architectural creation of ancient Sri Lanka.

As with most historical memorials in Sri Lanka, Ruwanweliseya has a deep relationship with Buddhism. This most beautiful white dome shape of the dagoba is thought to be the perfect pearl shape, representing the Buddhist philosophy on life, the bead of life which will burst in no time like the fragility of our lives.

4.Lovamahapaya (Brazen Palace)

Also known as the Brazen Palace, this historical 9 tiers building was built in 150 BC as the monk’s dwelling place for the monks of the Mahviharaya Buddhist University. Situated between the Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanweliseya, is the Lovamahapaya. At any given time, the Lovamahapaya was planned to have residence 3000 monks! The bronze tiles that were used to cover the roof, gave this building the name, the Brazen Palace. It was thought to have taken 6 years to complete this exclusive building. What we see today represents the Brazen Palace in remains.

 5.Abhayagiri Dagoba

The Abhayagiri Dagoba was built by the King Valagam Bahu around 88 BC with an original height of over a hundred meters is one of the tallest souvenirs of its spirit in the world. This dagoba was more than just part of a compound of monastic buildings. Abhayagiri dagoba gained popularity as a camaraderie for Buddhist monks, attracting scholars throughout the world across all nuances of Buddhism and as such its influence can be traced to other parts of the world.

Abhayagiri was selected to house the relic for public veneration.

6.Jetavanaramaya

The Jetavanaramaya is a dagoba located in the remains of the Jetavana hermitage in Anuradhapura. At a height of over 120m, Jetavana Dagoba is the largest dagoba in Sri Lanka and among the tallest monuments in the world. A part of a sash or belt tied by the Lord Buddha is believed to be enshrined here.

The Jetavanarama dagoba was built by King Mahsen in the 3rd century AD. In this Dagoba, 3 statues elaborate the worship house for Lord Buddha. The worship house also has statues of king Mahasen.

7.Mirisaveti Stupa

This Stupa was built in the 2nd century by King Dutugemunu as a penalty for make a meal of the first product of a chilli plant accidentally himself. In that period, there was a vogue that the first plant of a tree was offered to the monks. By mistake, King Dutugemunu failed to carry out this tradition. Then he constructed this stupa and donated it to the monks.

The stupa that stands now is the result of the restoration work done by the cultural Triangle Fund.

8.Lankaramaya

This is a stupa that was built in the 1st century BC and an important place of worship for Buddhists constructed by King Walagamba .This is the smallest dagba through the 'Atamastana' of Anuradhapura. This stupa was donated to the women monks as a mark of respect for King Walagamba’s wife, Queen Soma Devi.She was the one who helped the king to evasion from the clutches of enemies, but in process, got captured herself.