The Ancient city of Anuradhapura | Sri Maha Bodhi | Ruwanweli Seya Stupa | Jethawanaramaya Temple | Abhayagiriya Stupa | Mirisawetiya Temple | A Timeless legacy of Sri Lanka
Sri Maha Bodhi Anuradhapura
This is the
only tree in the world that has written history.
The sister of Arahant hans 'Mihindu' also known as 'Sanghamiththa' bhikkhuni was invited by King 'Dewanampiyathissa'(307-267 B.C.) also known as 'Dewana Pethis' to bring "Sri Maha Bodhi" to Sri Lanka. Then it was planted in a garden called ‘Mahameuna Uyana’ in Anuradhapura. The King created a three story courtyard with a base of 350 feet in length and 275 feet in width in the ‘Mahameuna’ garden. After the arrival of the 'Sanghamiththa' bhikkhuni’, 'Sri Maha Bodhiya' was planted in the third and the highest level on the courtyard which has a height of 21 feet, a length of 71 feet and a width of 57 feet.
There was a canal from a lake, called 'Thisa wewa', to the 'Sri Maha Bodhi' to fulfil the needs of 'Sri Maha Bodhi'. That was discovered by the Department of Archaeology in 1960. According to Archaeology results, the canal was built by King Mahanaga (573-575). The canal is still operational today. In the period of King Keerthi Sri Rajasinghe (1747-1782) there was a thero named 'Aththadassi'.
With the Fundamental participation of 'Aththadassi' thero, a wall was built around 'Sri Maha Bodhiya' to defend it from attacks. The wall has 388 feet of length, 274 feet of width and 10 feet of height with 5 feet of thickness. Later on, numerous Kings rebuilt this holy ground without causing any damage to 'Sri Maha Bodhi'.
Ruwanweliseya Stupa Anuradhapura
This is the last stupa which was built by King Dutugemunu in his career. People also named the stupa as 'Swarnamalie', 'Rathnamalie', 'Hemamalie' and 'Mahathupaya'. When the King felt ill, he summoned his brother, King 'Saddhathissa', to continue the project. After that, King 'Dutugemunu' decided to see how far the project had progressed, so he asked King 'Saddhathissa' to see it.
The project was not clearly completed at the time. But, since King 'Dutugemunu' was nearing the end of his life, King 'Saddhathissa' revealed the project as completed to his brother, King 'Dutugemunu', by covering the Stupa in white clothing. According to historical notes, King 'Dutugemunu' was ecstatic at the time. King 'Saddhathissa' completed the Stupa project after the death of the greatest King 'Dutugemunu'.
The Stupa was rebuilt by King Maha Perakumba (1153-1186) after it was invaded by 'Soli', the people from South India. Modern reconstruction was initially started by 'Naranwita Sumanasara' thero. The Stupa now stands at a height of 338 meters after the reconstruction. The statue of King 'Dutugemunu' was found near the inscription of King 'Nishshankamalla'(1187-1196). As per the historians, there is no way to pinpoint the time frame of that statue. Now the statue is located in Northern end from Eastern staircase of the Stupa.
Jethawanaramaya Temple Anuradhapura
During the reign of King 'Mahasen', Jethawanaramaya was constructed (274-302). This is the biggest stupa ever in Sri Lanka. Situated in 8 acres land in Anuradhapura. The Stupa stands 400 feet tall. However, the Stupa's upper level has now been destroyed. Therefore, unfortunately now it is 232 feet.
According to the historical records, the 'temple of Jethawana' was once located near the Stupa. Further, there were around 3000 monks in the temple. Since this Stupa was constructed after the arrival of the 'Mihindu' thero, it is culturally Indian.
Stupa can be reached through four separate staircases divided into four parts from four directions. The flat courtyard surrounding the Stupa is surrounded by layers of rock. The Stupa was renovated by several Kings. King Chiththasena, King Dhathusena, King Mahanaga and King 1st Agbo were them.
After the years, King 1st Parakramabahu (1153-1186) reconstructed the Stupa because the Stupa was demolished by the people known as ‘Chola’ from South India. This is the world's highest brick work.
Lankaramaya Temple Anuradhapura
The King 'Walagamba'(89-77 BC) built the 'Lankaramaya' Stupa where the King used to hide during the wartime. This Stupa is unique among Anuradhapura's Stupas. This is slightly smaller than 'Thupaaramaya' but same as it. The Stupa stands 50 meters tall. Previously, the Stupa was protected by a roof. Unfortunately, only the supporting stones have been rescued so far.
There was a pipe to bring rain water from the courtyard to the downstairs. Now the people can see that particular pipe at the museum in Anuradhapura. Stupa can be reached through four separate staircases divided into four parts from four directions.
A temple was built around the Stupa in the area uncovered by the ruined resources, in addition to the Stupa. This was created to honor the princess known as 'Soma'. The Stupa is belongs to ‘Atamasthanaya’ in Anuradhapura. It was declared in 1872. The ‘Atamasthanaya’ refers to the eight shrines in Anuradhapura.
Abhayagiriya Temple Anuradhapura
During the reign of King 'Walagamba' (83-77 B.C.) also known as 'Wattagamini Abhaya', this Stupa was constructed. One day, as the king was fleeing the Tamil enemy, an individual known as 'Giri' shouted to the King from his place known as 'Nigantaramaya', accusing him of cowardice.
After a period of time, the King regained his throne and demolished Giri's place. The King then ordered the construction of a Stupa in the vicinity of Giri's Nigantaramaya. The name of the Stupa was derived from a combination of the King's second name and Giri's name as 'Abhayagiriya'.
Stupa was rebuilt by King 'Maha Perakumaba' also known as 1st Parakramabahu during his reign (1153-1186). At the time of the invasions, the Stupa was 350 meters high. Unfortunately, due to invasions, the height is now reduced to 245 feet. The circumference is 1355 feet. The Stupa was sacrificed to the thero known as 'Hambugalle Thissa', who had been protecting the King until he reclaimed the throne.
This is the
world's second highest brick work.
Mirisawetiya Temple Anuradhapura
This Stupa was founded by King Dutugemunu (161-137 B.C) according to the history. King Dutugemunu had a habit of giving a portion of his meals to the monks. However, he forgot to give the share one day. As a result, he retaliated against himself and began to build the 'Mirisawetiya' Stupa and treasured that forgotten meal.
In this Stupa, King 'Dutugemunu' also treasured 'Kunthayudhaya' which was obtained through a battle between the King and another faction known as 'Soli'. The Stupa had best protection gateway among the Stupas in Anuradhapura. The Stupa is 160 feet tall, with a circular length of 560 feet.
Thuparamaya Temple Anuradhapura
During the reign of King 'Dewanampiyathissa', the Stupa was built (307-267 B.C.). The arts of that Stupa are similar to the arts of India during King Ashoka’s reign. According to the historical records, this is Sri Lanka’s first Stupa. In the northern and southern ends of the Stupa, there are two major entrances.
As per the historians, there was a roof to cover the Stupa. Only stone pillars are rescued now. The Stupa is 63 feet tall with a circular length of 194 feet.
Lowamahapaya Anuradhapura
The construction is done by the King Dutugemunu (161-137 B.C.). There are 1600 stone pillars in all, with 40 pillars in each of the 40 rows. Pillars are all the same height, but they are all different sizes. Only the pillars have been saved as a result of King Perakumba's (1st Parakramabahu) (1153-1186) reconstruction. Before that, King 1st Sirinaga (196-215) was also rebuilt the construction.
As per the
historical reveals, there was a nine storeys building on the pillars with the
roof consisting steel. There were 1000 rooms on each storey.
Kuttampokuna Anuradhapura
This is the crowning achievement of Sri Lanka's architectural, technical and artistic accomplishments in the past. Two major ponds and a small ponds can be found in Kuttampokuna. Two major ponds are not of the same age. The pond closest to the Northern end is older than the pond closest to the Southern end. Length and width of the ponds are respectively 40.23x15.54 meters and 27.74x17.73 meters.
According to the historians, this structure was constructed during the reign of King 1st Agbo (567-591 Years of Christianity). Water is transported to the ponds through an underground canal. The water is purified multiple times before entering the ponds by 'Bisokotuwa' which was in the way of canal. As a result, only filtered water is used to fill the 'Kuttampokuna'.
Isurumuniya Temple Anuradhapura
This temple was founded by King Dewanampiyathissa and is located near the lake known as ‘Thisa wewa’. The several sculptures in the temple. Furthermore, the world-famous statue of the loving couple can be seen here.
A rock is in close proximity to the temple. The ‘Sandakada Pahana’ can be seen in the entrance to the temple. Especially here, the carve arts and sculpture are most attractive. The temple was reconstructed by King Kashyapa during his reign.
Mihinthalaya Temple Mihintale
There is a rock surrounding the temple.
When King Dewanampiyathissa was out hunting in the garden, ‘Mihindu’ thero, the son of King ‘Dharmashoka’ in India, arrived to preach Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The Mihinthalaya was their destination. There were a total of 06 people with the ‘Mihindu’ thero. There was a temple and building complex within the site. All that remains are the ruins of the buildings. There are nearly 1850 stairs that led up the cliff from the temple at the begining.
Aukana Buddha Statue Anuradhapura
Aukana
Buddha statue is a very successful product in the statue industry. The stature
was erected in the fifth year of the century in the kingdom of
Anuradhapura.
This is 38
feet and 10 inches tall. Historians claim that this reveals traditional Indian
cultural arts known as ‘Amarawathi’.
Samadhi Buddha statue Anuradhapura
This is situated in a garden known as ‘Mahameuna’ in Anuradhapura. The statue stands at a height of seven feet and nine inches. When it was discovered, its base was broken as a result of invasions. The statue now stands as it did before the invasions.
As per the evidence in the area, the statue was coloured in centuries ago. The statue shows three separated forms when we look at the statue from the left, right and front sides. Historians believe that the statue belonged to the era of King Dewanampiyathissa.
Statue consists of Indian mysterious arts.
Sandakada Pahana Anuradhapura
It is a semi-circular stone plate with intricate carvings. It can be seen
at the bottom of the stairwell. This had been going on since the commencement
of the Anuradhapura period. Previously it used to be only a semi-circular stone
plate with no carvings. After the years, it was carved. The carvings include the
images of lions, horse, leafs and flames. There are secret meanings in the
carvings.
The best ‘Sandakada Pahana’ may be found in ‘Panchawaasa’, which is
located near the palace of King Mahasen in Anuradhapura.
According to the opinion of Senarath Paranavithana, who was one of the best historians in Sri Lanka, the flames in the fourth row from the centre of the Sandakadapahana represents the envy developed in human minds. Then the carvings of the animals on the third row from the centre represent four noble truths. The irateness generated in the human mind is shown by the leaves in the second row from the centre. The swan carvings on the last row of Sandakadapahana which is the closest to the centre depicted the path to the Nirvana. Finally, the Buddha Nirvana is symbolized in the flower carving on the centre.
