Articles of Sri Lankan Tourist Attractions

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Articles of Sri Lankan Tourist Attractions Anuradhapura Anuradhapura is the greatest ancient city of Sri Lanka which had remained as the capital of the kingdom to many great Sinhalese kings for more than 1000 years. This is the best place to go to, if you are to see the remnants of skilled workmanship shown by the ancient Sri Lankans in building cities. Anuradhapura is considered as a very well planned city as deduced by the discovered ruins of the ancient buildings which can be seen today. There have been 4 walls enclosing the 256 square miles (663 km²) of the city, each wall about 16 miles (26km) long. Important buildings like the kings’ palaces, Buddhist temples, hospitals, schools and libraries and leisure gardens have been built within the city area according to a perfect pre-defined plan. Ranmasu Uyana and Magul Uyana are two of the leisure gardens that has been discovered in the preserving campaigns. Apart from these, there are many Buddha statues that are worth seeing in most of the temples around the area and the most renowned masterpiece is the “Samadhi” Buddha statue. There are a few ponds to be seen in the city area which have been built to supply water for the citizens. Kuttam Pokuna is the most famous one for its design, built in as a combination of two square ponds. These ponds have been filled with water brought from large tanks built around the vicinity, using advanced irrigational systems. Many of such tanks are still surviving and they have amazed the whole world with the smart irrigational techniques used in building them. Nuwara Wewa, Tissa Wewa & Nachchaduwa Wewa are a few tanks built in the era. The close relationship between Buddhism and the people those days is well displayed by the large number of temples that has been built around the city. “Sri Maha Bodhiya”, the sacred Bo tree which had been brought from India, is one of the most valued Buddhist possessions of the country. Many sky-scraping “stupa”s and Buddha statues are scattered around the area which would make you feel awed at their colossal size and the trimness of the build. Ruwanweli Saya, Jetavanaramaya, Abhayagiri Dagaba, Mirisavetiya Stupa are a few famous stupas that you shouldn’t miss. Even though most of the wonderful buildings are now in ruins due to various incidents that happened along the years, you would still see a fair amount of the great work preserved. The modern city is built including all the modern comforts and it contains luxurious hotels and guest houses to accommodate the scores of local & international pilgrims and tourists who visit the city all year through. Bandarawela Bandarawela is another popular town situated in the central mountains of Sri Lanka. It belongs to the Badulla District which is in the Uva Province and is about 200 km away from Colombo, along the Colombo-Badulla main route. Even though it is about 1300 m higher from the sea level, the coolness that remains with a lot of sun is quite pleasant for travelers. As many of the Sri Lankan cities, Bandarawela also has has its share in the proud Sri Lankan history which goes back to the time of the ancient king “Valabamba”. It is said that he reformed his troupes at Bandarawela to fight back a Chola king who invaded the capital of the kingdom Anuradhapura at that time. Later on during the time when the British ruled Sri Lanka, this town along with many others was converted into a Tea planting area. Bandarawela is still making a great contribution towards Tea production of the country. There are many places of interest close by you could visit when you are in this beautiful city. The Dhowa Rock Temple is one, which is a Buddhist temple located about 6 km towards Badulla from the city. It has a standing Buddha statue carved on a rock face which has been left incomplete from the old days. Then there are the waterfalls; Diyaluma Ella and Ravana Ella, both a bit father away from the city towards Ella town along the Colombo-Badulla road. Rawana Ella has got its name after a demon king called Ravana who is mentioned in the legendary Ramayanaya. You will be able to find many beautiful places that providing accommodation for you to relax and enjoy the beauty of the area. Beruwala 58 km away from Colombo along the Galle Road, you land yourself in Beruwala, another appealing seaside town with palm clad sandy beaches spreading on and on. This town marks the beginning of the Beach Resorts zone of the South Coast of Sri Lanka and you can find many luxurious hotels and guest houses around the vicinity to spend a relaxing holiday by the beach. When tracing back into the history, Beruwala is known to be the first Muslim settlement in Sri Lanka, somewhere in the 8 th century. A group of Arab traders have initiated the establishment and have been living there peacefully up to today with the Sinhalese and other races. The town is a combination of Buddhist temples, Muslim Mosques, Churches, Hotels and Restaurants, a light house and other prominent places of interest. “Kachchimalai Mosque” in Beruwala is the oldest mosque of Sri Lanka and it’s built on a piece of rocky land facing towards the town. Beruwala is the ideal place for those who love water sporting facilities like surfing and water rafting. There are safe places for bathing along the beach and near other small lakes anytime of the year. For those who want to explore the corral reefs, Beruwala bay is just the place and suppliers of the necessary equipments can be found easily around the area. Dambulla Dambulla is a town which is located nearly 150 km away from the capital, Colombo and belongs to the Central Province of Sri Lanka. Situated at an important point where A6 & A9 highways cross each other, the town is a major stop for most of the travelers of both routes. Dambulla is a town with a great historical & religious value and holds a few unique tourist attraction spots. The pride of Dambulla is undoubtedly the Dambulla Raja Maha Viharaya, also known as Rangiri Dambulu Viharaya, which is the largest of cave temples in Sri Lanka which survives up to today. The history of this temple runs far back to time of the Sinhalese King known as Valagamba in 1 st B.C., when the caves had been inhabited by Buddhist monks who used them to meditate. When the capital city Anuradhapura had been invaded by a foreign army those days, those monks had helped the king as he sought protection and had hidden the king in the caves. He has built this temple as a gratitude for those Buddhist monks after regaining the throne by defeating the foreigners. Dambulla Viharaya is built on the summit of a big isolated rocky hill which is about 350 feet in height and the cave has five main compartments that had been divided to different parts according to the planned design of the temple. There are paintings and statues inside these caverns that express the workmanship and the skill of the people who had lived in those times. Thos artists have taken great care when painting the ceiling of the largest cavern and had managed to do a wonderful job in making the paintings flow so well along the natural folds of the rock. Among the temple’s statues is a 14 meter long Buddha statue which is carved out of the rock. Apart from the rock temple, Dambulla is famous for the rose quartz mountain range “Namal Uyana”, which is known to be the largest in South Asia. A prehistoric burial site has been found near Dambulla temple in an area called “Ibbankatuwa” and this is the most recent discovery made within the vicinity. Further exploring has uncovered some significant evidence which has directed the historians to form a clear idea about aboriginal people who had lived there before the Indians arrived. In the recent times, a small island in the Dambulla Lake has been transferred into a “Pleasure Island” where you can go and enjoy from morning to eve. The place have to be reached by a boat ride and some relaxing activities are available on & around the island like fishing, swimming, bathing, tree climbing, picnicking in tree houses and a lot more. The island is completely covered in trees which makes a lovely green roof all over the place. Ella Among the many beautiful cities & villages of the Central Province, Ella is another special one which is famous for its most amazing views of the surrounding mountain area. It is situated along the main road from Colombo to Badulla and is more than 200 km away from the capital. If you plan to visit Bandarawela, it’ll be good to remember that Ella is only 8 km away from Bandarawela town, so as not to miss its wondrous beauty. Ella village is being cuddled in a valley which gazes at the coast across the plains 1000 m below through the Ella Gap. On a clear night, you can even see the lights of the Great Basses Reef lighthouse which is near the Yala National Park. The garden of the Grand Ella Motel and the wide doorway of the Ambiente Hotel are recommended places for those who wish to capture the very best of the views of Ella. You can also obtain relaxing walks around the vicinity, passing temples, waterfalls and tea plantations along the way. For those who are looking for more excitement, thrilling trails that spirals in the beautiful mountain range are available for trekking expeditions.
Recommended publications
  • Discourses of Ethno-Nationalism and Religious Fundamentalism
    DISCOURSES OF ETHNO-NATIONALISM AND RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM SRI LANKAN DISCOURSES OF ETHNO-NATIONALISM AND RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM By MYRA SIVALOGANATHAN, B.A. A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts McMaster University © Copyright by Myra Sivaloganathan, June 2017 M.A. Thesis – Myra Sivaloganathan; McMaster University – Religious Studies. McMaster University MASTER OF ARTS (2017) Hamilton, Ontario (Religious Studies) TITLE: Sri Lankan Discourses of Ethno-Nationalism and Religious Fundamentalism AUTHOR: Myra Sivaloganathan, B.A. (McGill University) SUPERVISOR: Dr. Mark Rowe NUMBER OF PAGES: v, 91 ii M.A. Thesis – Myra Sivaloganathan; McMaster University – Religious Studies. Abstract In this thesis, I argue that discourses of victimhood, victory, and xenophobia underpin both Sinhalese and Tamil nationalist and religious fundamentalist movements. Ethnic discourse has allowed citizens to affirm collective ideals in the face of disparate experiences, reclaim power and autonomy in contexts of fundamental instability, but has also deepened ethnic divides in the post-war era. In the first chapter, I argue that mutually exclusive narratives of victimhood lie at the root of ethnic solitudes, and provide barriers to mechanisms of transitional justice and memorialization. The second chapter includes an analysis of the politicization of mythic figures and events from the Rāmāyaṇa and Mahāvaṃsa in nationalist discourses of victory, supremacy, and legacy. Finally, in the third chapter, I explore the Liberation Tiger of Tamil Eelam’s (LTTE) rhetoric and symbolism, and contend that a xenophobic discourse of terrorism has been imposed and transferred from Tamil to Muslim minorities. Ultimately, these discourses prevent Sri Lankans from embracing a multi-ethnic and multi- religious nationality, and hinder efforts at transitional justice.
    [Show full text]
  • Episodic Breakdown
    World in Slow Motion, The 52 x 15 min’ EPISODIC BREAKDOWN 1. Ethiopia By Tuk Tuk 1 Arriving at Debre Zeyt, the team starts crossing the Ethiopian landscape in their three tuk tuks. After seeing their first African sunset and sleeping with a Hamer tribe, they head to Arba Minch. Here, as well as visiting a CIAI school project, they taste some traditional, local coffee, in the place where this beverage is said to have originated. 2. Ethiopia By Tuk Tuk 2 The group wakes up early to travel to Mago national park, where they meet the Mursi, an ancient tribe living deep in the heart of the park. The Mursi’s customs are fascinating, but their attitude to travellers and tourists isn’t quite what the team expects… 3. Ethiopia By Tuk Tuk 3 After meeting two piano players who literally play “on the road”, and hearing about their musical mission, the team arrives at a river, which they must decide whether or not to cross in order to witness the bull-hopping Hamer tribe ritual. The risk? That the water level rises, and that they don’t make it back! 4. Ethiopia By Tuk Tuk 4 The team finally reaches their destination: the river Omo. Now they must head back, stopping to visit a CVM project which hosts over 800 children, a CIAI project which teaches circus art to boys on the street and a marathon of over 40.000 people, which they decide to participate in. Their vehicles are worn and their legs are tired, but they only have a few more miles to go to complete their journey.
    [Show full text]
  • Genesis of Stupas
    Genesis of Stupas Shubham Jaiswal1, Avlokita Agrawal2 and Geethanjali Raman3 1, 2 Indian Institue of Technology, Roorkee, India {[email protected]} {[email protected]} 3 Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology, Ahmedabad, India {[email protected]} Abstract: Architecturally speaking, the earliest and most basic interpretation of stupa is nothing but a dust burial mound. However, the historic significance of this built form has evolved through time, as has its rudimentary structure. The massive dome-shaped “anda” form which has now become synonymous with the idea of this Buddhist shrine, is the result of years of cultural, social and geographical influences. The beauty of this typology of architecture lies in its intricate details, interesting motifs and immense symbolism, reflected and adapted in various local contexts across the world. Today, the word “stupa” is used interchangeably while referring to monuments such as pagodas, wat, etc. This paper is, therefore, an attempt to understand the ideology and the concept of a stupa, with a focus on tracing its history and transition over time. The main objective of the research is not just to understand the essence of the architectural and theological aspects of the traditional stupa but also to understand how geographical factors, advances in material, and local socio-cultural norms have given way to a much broader definition of this word, encompassing all forms, from a simplistic mound to grand, elaborate sanctums of great value to architecture and society
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Kingdoms of Sri Lanka Welcome at Airport by Helanka
    Ancient Kingdoms of Sri Lanka 05 Nights / 06 Days ` Welcome at Airport by Helanka Vacations Representative and transfer to Negombo. Negombo, situated by the shores of a lagoon which was once a trading port for Portuguese and Dutch. The economy of Negombo is mainly based on its centuries-old fishing industry, though it also produces cinnamon, ceramics, and brassware. Arrive and check into the Hotel in Negombo. Afternoon brief tour of Negombo. Start your city tour of Negombo by visiting the Dutch port, the canal, a Hindu Kovil, St. Mary’s church, the Angurukaramulla temple and the Negombo open and fish market. Overnight stay in Negombo. Breakfast at the Hotel. Thereafter proceed to Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura, the first capital of Sri Lanka and was named a world heritage site by UNESCO. Anuradhapura is now a picturesque city, filled with mystery and rich in Sinhalese culture. Arrive and check in to a Hotel in Anuradhapura. Evening visit the Mihintale Temple. Mihintale, a mountain peak near Anuradhapura, the site of a meeting between the Buddhist monk Mahinda and King Devanampiyatissa which inaugurated the presence of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The stairway fleets upward through 1840 steps made of granite, leading to picturesque sceneries that can be viewed from the summit. Before commencing your climb, find the Vejja Sala; ruins of a hospital dating back to the 3rd century AD. Further, Kantaka Cetiya is situated on a portion of the rock not much higher from the base, it is one of the 1st religious monuments to be built in Sri Lanka resting at a height of 425 feet.
    [Show full text]
  • Buddhist Art and Architecture Ebook
    BUDDHIST ART AND ARCHITECTURE PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Robert E Fisher | 216 pages | 24 May 1993 | Thames & Hudson Ltd | 9780500202654 | English | London, United Kingdom GS Art and Culture | Buddhist Architecture | UPSC Prep | NeoStencil Mahabodhi Temple is an example of one of the oldest brick structures in eastern India. It is considered to be the finest example of Indian brickwork and was highly influential in the development of later architectural traditions. Bodhgaya is a pilgrimage site since Siddhartha achieved enlightenment here and became Gautama Buddha. While the bodhi tree is of immense importance, the Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya is an important reminder of the brickwork of that time. The Mahabodhi Temple is surrounded by stone ralling on all four sides. The design of the temple is unusual. It is, strictly speaking, neither Dravida nor Nagara. It is narrow like a Nagara temple, but it rises without curving, like a Dravida one. The monastic university of Nalanda is a mahavihara as it is a complex of several monasteries of various sizes. Till date, only a small portion of this ancient learning centre has been excavated as most of it lies buried under contemporary civilisation, making further excavations almost impossible. Most of the information about Nalanda is based on the records of Xuan Zang which states that the foundation of a monastery was laid by Kumargupta I in the fifth century CE. Vedika - Vedika is a stone- walled fence that surrounds a Buddhist stupa and symbolically separates the inner sacral from the surrounding secular sphere. Talk to us for. UPSC preparation support! Talk to us for UPSC preparation support! Please wait Free Prep.
    [Show full text]
  • Luminescence Dating of Brick Stupas : an Application to the Hinterland of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.', Antiquity., 87 (335)
    Durham Research Online Deposited in DRO: 19 February 2013 Version of attached le: Published Version Peer-review status of attached le: Peer-reviewed Citation for published item: Baili, I.K. and Lacey, H.R. and Coningham, R.A.E. and Gunawardhana, P. and Adikari, G. and Davis, C.E. and Manuel, M.J. and Strickland, K.M. (2013) 'Luminescence dating of brick stupas : an application to the hinterland of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.', Antiquity., 87 (335). pp. 189-201. Further information on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0003598X00048717 Publisher's copyright statement: Copyright c Antiquity Publications Ltd 2013 Additional information: Use policy The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that: • a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders. Please consult the full DRO policy for further details. Durham University Library, Stockton Road, Durham DH1 3LY, United Kingdom Tel : +44 (0)191 334 3042 | Fax : +44 (0)191 334 2971 https://dro.dur.ac.uk Luminescence dating of brick stupas: an application to the hinterland of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka Ian K. Bailiff1, Harriet R. Lacey1, Robin A.E. Coningham1, Prishanta Gunawardhana2,GaminiAdikari3, Chris E. Davis1, Mark J. Manuel1 & Keir M.
    [Show full text]
  • Anuradhapura Is a Major City in Sri Lanka
    Anuradhapura is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province, Sri Lanka and the capital of Anuradhapura District. Anuradhapura Jethawanaramaya Dagoba The Jetavanaramaya is a stupa located in the ruins of Jetavana in the sacred world heritage city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Mahasena of Anuradhapura (273–301) initiated the construction of the stupa following the destruction of the mahavihara. His son Maghavanna I completed the construction of the stupa.[1] A part of a sash or belt tied by the Buddha is believed to be the relic that is enshrined here. Mirisawetiya Vihara The Mirisaveti Stupa is situated in the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. King Dutugamunu built the Mirisaveti Stupa after defeating King Elara. Kuttam Pokuna One of the best specimen of bathing tanks or pools in ancient Sri Lanka is the pair of pools known as Kuttam Pokuna. The said pair of pools were built by the Sinhalese in the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura. Isurumuniya Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple situated near to the Tisawewa. There are four carvings of special interest in this Viharaya. They are the Isurumuniya Lovers, Elephant Pond and the Royal Family. Thuparamaya Thuparamaya is a dagoba in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is a Buddhist sacred place of veneration. Mahinda Thera, an envoy sent by King Ashoka himself introduced Theravada Buddhism and also chetiya worship to Sri Lanka. Abhayagiri dagoba Abhayagiri Vihāra was a major monastery site of Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism that was situated in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is one of the most extensive ruins in the world and one of the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage cities in the nation.
    [Show full text]
  • Libraries in Sri Lanka in the Ancient Anuradhapura Period: a Historical Account (250 B.C
    Journal of the University Librarians Association of Sri Lanka, Vol.17, Issue 1, January 2013 Libraries in Sri Lanka in the Ancient Anuradhapura Period: a Historical Account (250 B.C. – 1017 A.D.) Ranaweera, R.A.A.S1 and Ranasinghe, Piyadasa2 Abstract The origin of libraries in Sri Lanka is related to the introduction of Buddhism to the Island. Buddhism was formally introduced to Sri Lanka by Venerable Mahinda, in the third century B.C. during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. The advent of Arahant Mahinda and Arahant Sangamimtha to the country during the ancient Anurādhapura era was considered as major landmark in history. The art of literary tradition and bibliographic activities properly began in the ancient Sri Lankan history with these two important events. Education also was enriched by the influence of Buddhism during the Anurādhapura period. There were three main learning centers for monks in ancient Sri Lanka namely the Mahavihara, the Abhayagiri and the Jetavana. It was quite possible that these religious and educational centers possess repositories of books or may be simply known as libraries. Recorded evidence available in the Mahawamsa and Culawamsa showed that there had been large numbers of monastic libraries in ancient Sri Lanka but it is difficult to find recorded evidence of these early types of libraries, except for the written facts available in early literature regarding their existence. Keywords: Anuradhapura period, Monastic Libraries, Mahaviharaya, Abayagiriya, Jetavanaramaya,Mahawamsa, Culawamsa Introduction Anurādhapura, the ancient citadel of Sri Lanka is more or less the heart and soul of the religious and cultural heritage of Sri Lanka.
    [Show full text]
  • Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History
    Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Naturetrek Tour Report 19 December 2015 – 4 January 2016 Jetavanaramaya , Anuradhapura Elephant Herd, Udawalawe National Park Woolly-necked Stork,Sigiriya Sigiriya Frescos Report compiled by Thushara Seneviratne and Saman Kumara Images by Saman Kumara Naturetrek Mingledown Barn Wolf's Lane Chawton Alton Hampshire GU34 3HJ England T: +44 (0)1962 733051 F: +44 (0)1962 736426 E: [email protected] W: www.naturetrek.co.uk Sri Lanka - Wildlife & History Tour Report Tour Participants: Thushara Seneviratne & Saman Kumara with nine Naturetrek clients Highlights A total of 210 species of bird, 22 mammal species and 10 reptiles and other species, along with many historical and cultural sites, wrapped up the main tour with time to relax and enjoy the season’s celebrations across the country. Yala yielded sightings of the elusive Leopard and we were also able to witness a colony of bats in Tissamaharam which included Indian Flying Fox, Fulvous Fruit Bat and Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat. Day 1 Saturday 19th December The group departed from London on a flight to Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka Day 2 Sunday 20th December The group arrived at Colombo airport at 12.50pm and after meeting the tour leaders, left the airport at 1.50pm. We stopped for some birding in the Katuneriya area where we encountered Grey-headed Swamphen (a split from Purple Swamphen), Pheasant-tailed Jacana, Purple Heron, Indian Roller and Black-winged Stilt. We reached our next stop, Anawilandawa Wetland, which is a RAMSAR protected area. Indian Darter, Common Moorhen, Painted Stork, Asian Koel, Asian Openbill, Stork-billed Kingfisher and many more birds were seen here.
    [Show full text]
  • XXIII International Astronomy Olympiad Colombo (Sri Lanka), 6-14 Ottobre 2018
    XXIII International Astronomy Olympiad Colombo (Sri Lanka), 6-14 ottobre 2018 Diario di viaggio, a cura di Agatino Rifatto Venerdì 12 ottobre Oggi è il penultimo giorno di questa esperienza olimpica. Ormai i giochi sono fatti e non ci resta che attendere la cerimonia di premiazione, incrociando le dita per i nostri ragazzi. È una giornata interamente dedicata allo svago, essendo prevista una visita all’area archeologica di Anuradhapura, con partenza alle 6:30 e rientro entro le 23:00. Anaradhapura è stata dichiarata dall’UNESCO “Patrimonio Mondiale dell’Umanità”, per l’importanza che riveste dal punto di vista storico e archeologico. Fondata nel IV secolo A.C., è una delle più antiche capitali dello Sri Lanka, famosa per il modo in cui sono conservate le sue rovine che evidenziano un’antica civilizzazione dell’isola. È stata la terza capitale del regno di Rajarata, dopo i regni di Tambapanni e di Upatissa Nuwara. La città sorge 205 km a nord-est di Colombo ed è stata per molti secoli il centro del buddismo Therevada. Si parte alle 7:00, con 30 minuti di ritardo, dopo aver fatto colazione. Siamo sistemati in 4 bus, scortati da un’auto della polizia, costante questa di tutti i nostri spostamenti durante quest’edizione olimpica. Il viaggio è lungo, circa 4 ore, percorrendo strade strette e dense di traffico e attraversando territori ricchi di vegetazione, risaie e villaggi che offrono visioni che sembrano fuori dal tempo, ma che sono realtà, in questi luoghi. Il bus n. 1 è quello con i “Team Leader” e segue l’auto della polizia; a seguire i 3 bus con gli studenti e i componenti del LOC.
    [Show full text]
  • 2Days/1Night Excursion Tour# 4 on 30Th & 31St
    Greetings from Leisure Island Holiday Tours! 2days/1night Excursion Tour# 4 On 30th & 31st Dec Wander throughout Sri Lanka’s Ancestry Anuradhapura – One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and first ancient kingdom (UNESCO World Heritage Site) Mihinthale - believed to be the place, where Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka in 3rd century BC 2pax 4pax 6pax 8pax (Per Person) (Per Person) (Per Person) (Per Person) 132USD 92USD 74USD 65USD Above price does include; Hotel Accommodation (3*) on sharing double basis with Breakfast & Transportation by a luxury, fully air conditioned vehicle from Day 01 to Day 02 Above price does not include; Entrance fees to sites, activities etc. Early check-in or late check-out fees Subject to room availability Anuradhapura, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites which is about 200 Km North East to Colombo. Anuradhapura kingdom, firstly established by Anuradha, a follower of Prince Vijaya, was the first capital made by King Pandukabaya at about 380BC, lasting to 1017, reigning for more than 1400 years as the capital of the island. Being a major center of Sri Lankan civilization, Anuradhapura kingdom was the crib of Sinhalese Buddhist civilization for it was during King Devanampiyatissa’s period, Sri Lanka was introduced Buddhism by Mahinda Thera, the son of Emperor Asoka of India. Anuradhapura approached to the ending line, as the Cholas invaded the kingdom during the period of King Mahinda 5, result the breakdown
    [Show full text]
  • The Atamasthana at Anuradhapura: a Brief Historical Survey
    Rohana (1991) 3 - 77 - 86 The Atamasthana at Anuradhapura: A Brief Historical Survey — U. B. K a ru n a n a n d a The term Atamasthana connotes the eight places in Anuradhapura (Sri Lanka) sacred to Buddhists: the Sri Mahabodhi (Udamaluwa), the Lovamaha- paya, the Ruwanweliseya,theThuparamaya, the Mirisawetiya, the Abhayagiriya, the Jetavanaramaya and the Lankaramaya. They are, however not identical with the eight places that constituted the Atamasthana during the early Anu­ radhapura period. Buddhists in Sri Lanka have always regarded these sites with deep vene­ ration, and are used to make annual pilgrimages to them. Records of the British officials of the early years of the last century show that this practice continued even after the British captured the kingdom of Kandy, to which Anuradhapura belonged. Davy in 1818, three years after the subjugation of the Kandyan Kingdom, recorded that “Anuradhapura, so long capital of Ceylon, is now a small mean village in’the midst of a desert. A large tank, numerous stone pillars, two or three immense tumular (probably old Dagabas) are its principal re­ mains. It is still considered a sacred spot and is a place of pilgrimage’- (levers, 1899, 66) Even in 1834, Skinner found that the road from Kandy to Anuradhapura “was crowded with pilgrims on their way to the sacred Bo-tree” and that Anuradh pura “was alive with people.” (Ibid. 214) The first reference to the term ata­ masthana appears in the Sinhala prose work Pujavaliya (13th century.). Till then, though one finds references to the existence of eight sacred places at Anu­ radhapura, (MV.
    [Show full text]