we went to Anuradhapura as usual by bus. Drive 3 hours, cost of 2 tickets - 300 rupees. And, as usual, we were not dropped off at the station, but somewhere in the city. First of all, we wanted to go to the railway station. Until now, we have traveled around Lanka by buses. However, now they decided to use the services of the Sri Lankan railways. The fact is that the next point of our trip was Unawatuna. located almost in the very south of the island. By e-mail the owner of the villa we booked in Unawatuna asked what time we would arrive. We said that we were already in Sri Lanka and on the appointed day we would arrive from Anuradhapura in the evening. Upon learning that we were planning to take a bus, the hostess expressed great doubts about the success of our venture.
The distance Anuradhapura-Colombo-Unawatuna is not very large by Russian standards, and in our opinion, it is quite surmountable in a daylight. But buses in Lanka are really in no hurry, and the owner of the house, although she was a New Zealander, had lived here for a long time. There is no direct railway connection from here to Unawatuna, you need to go through Colombo. We read that in order to take tickets for the 1st or 2nd grade (they wrote some horrors about the 3rd grade), you need to take tickets in advance. Therefore, we had to go to the station first. We started looking around, trying to get our bearings. We were quickly noticed by a tuker and offered to take us to the railway station for 100 rupees. We knew that there are two stations in Anuradhapura, but we did not know which one we needed. 100 rupees (40 rubles) is a small amount and, having specified that we need a station from which we can go to Colombo, we went. At the station, we went to the window with the inscription "1st, 2nd grade" and asked for two tickets for the day after tomorrow to Colombo in the first class. We were told that there are no first-class cars on this route for any train. And not only on the day we need, but in general. I had to take 2 second class tickets with departure the day after tomorrow at 9 am. The cashier took 1,800 rupees from us and issued a sheet perforated along the edges in half A4 format, where the date, time, class of the carriage and the numbers of seats C7, C8 were indicated. We asked the cashier whether this inscription exactly means the numbers of our seats, and received an affirmative answer. The mood has improved: it means that we will not have to stand in the aisle and fight for seats.
At the exit from the station, an overweight man in a shirt, sarong and sandals with bare feet approached us. "Taxi, sir?" - he turned to her husband. Taxi?! Is there really a taxi here ?! Not a knock-knock, but a normal car with a trunk and even air conditioning ?! Riding a tuk in any country does not give us pleasure. Driving in the heat, inhaling the exhaust gases of passing cars, dust, freezing from the driver's pirouettes, and then figuring out why the price was higher than agreed is not a pleasant experience. It is always easier and more comfortable with a taxi. Only until now we have not been able to see a taxi in Sri Lanka, except at the airport. Joyful, we threw our things in the trunk and plunged into the air-conditioned coolness of the car interior. Our hotel was located in the strip between urban development and the vastness of rice fields. It was even called Heaven Upon Rice Fields - "Heaven over rice fields". That's why I chose it, I liked it according to the description and reviews. Our driver knew the object we had booked. On the way, he asked about our plans. We replied that today we would like to visit Mihintale and would gladly do it by car. He literally jumped up in the seat and clapped his hands - he was ready to take us. After unloading our suitcases at the hotel and giving 200 rupees, we asked the driver about the price of a trip to Mikhintale by car. He named the price at Rs 2,500. As we knew from the network, the trip was supposed to cost no more than 1500. As a result, we bargained until 1700, agreed on the time of departure, I wanted to take a shower and have a snack from the road first.
A palm squirrel jumped into the room through the open doors of the balcony to our room.
We wanted to treat her, but she turned out to be so scared that, after running for a minute along the ledge and curtains, she quickly jumped out. From the windows - really a view of rice fields and Mount Mikhintale, where we planned to go today.
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At the appointed time, a minibus drove into the yard. A completely different person came out of it and asked if we were going to Mikhintale. We replied that we were really going to Mihintale, but we had already agreed with another driver. In response, he told us that Abi (the name that the previous driver wrote to us) is his brother, and that he is busy now. We approached the minibus and saw a guy and a girl in the cabin. To our question, the driver said that they were also going to Mikhintale. But we did not agree so! We were going to go on our own, and not in the company of strangers, and did not want to adapt ourselves to someone, or force someone to adjust to us. We turned back decisively. The driver trotted after us, convincing us that we would not interfere with each other at all. Then he said that he would make a discount of up to 1,500 rupees - "just for you." The time was 16 o'clock, the hotel owner said that he could arrange a tuk-tuk for us if necessary. But knock knock, not a car. Time was more expensive now, I didn't want to waste it looking for another car. We agreed.
The couple in the minibus turned out to be from the Czech Republic. When asked what language they prefer to communicate in - English or Russian - they confidently chose Russian. The guy was from Karlovy Vary (probably the most "Russian" Czech city), he understood Russian tolerably well and, although slowly and carefully choosing his words, spoke quite well. He said that they came from Colombo, where they had been for two days, and that Colombo is a boring and uninteresting city, in which there is absolutely nothing to do. We shared our impressions.
Now about Mikhintale. It is located just 12 kilometers from Anuradhapura. A very atmospheric place, we recommend it for a must-see. We have seen statements that Mihintale is even more interesting than Anuradhapura herself. Difficult to compare, but we loved this place. It is known for the fact that it was from here that Buddhism began to spread throughout the island, here the first teacher of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, Mahindu, preached. The complex includes three hills: Mango Plateau (Ambastala), Royal Hill (Rajagiri), Elephant Mountain (Anaikutti). The ascent to the Mikhintale mountain is rather difficult: the height of the mountain is 305 meters and to get up, you need to overcome 1840 steps.
But by transport, you can drive up to the upper parking area, which will cut the path in half, although a couple, as we read, will remain unseen by less interesting sights. But practically next to the parking there are 68 caves, and the ruins of Medamaluva, and the Mango Plateau.
After getting out of the car, we parted with fellow travelers, without agreeing on when we would return to the car. We intended to take our time to inspect everything that we had outlined.
It is better to climb here early in the morning, before it is too hot, or in the afternoon heat, as we did. It is imperative to stock up on water and take socks with you (as always in Lanka, you will have to walk around the entire complex without shoes). We did not seek to inspect all the ruins here. In addition to the Mango Plateau (tickets for two - 1000 rupees), the rest of Mihintale's attractions are available free of charge, but they are located quite far from each other.
Straight from the upper parking area, a narrow staircase leads to the right to the Kantaka Chetya Stupa (2nd century BC), one of the oldest structures in Lanka.
To the south-west of Kantak Chetya there are heaps of huge boulders, behind them stretches a ridge of 68 caves.
A little higher up the stairs and to the side is the Cobra Pond, a natural reservoir filled with rainwater. The edges of the Pond are lined with stones, and the image of a five-headed cobra with an open hood is carved on the rock. According to legend, Mahindu bathed here. But its main value was as a source for the irrigation system of the entire Mihintale complex.
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The Mango Plateau is the place where the main attractions of Mihintale are concentrated. It is a platform in the center of which the Ambasthala Dagoba Stupa is installed, the columns around previously supported the vata-da-ge roof that has not been preserved (in Sinhalese - "round house of relics")
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monkeys feast on lotuses on the altar.
Next to the stupa is a rounded piece of rough stone embedded in the platform - the place where King Devanampiya Tissa first met Mahindu. The stone is protected by a fence and a roof and strewn with money donated by believers.
behind is the main hill of Mikhintale - Aradhana Gala, from which Mahindu read his sermons
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upward you need to climb the carved steps, and then the iron stairs. Great views from there
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on the left is a Buddha Statue, of no historical value, but adds the appropriate color to the environment
on the right - the white stupa Mahaseya Dagoba - the largest in Mihintala, its construction belongs to the king Mahadathika Mahanaga (early 1st century). In it, according to legend, the Buddha's hair is immured.
view from the site next to the stupa
bodhi tree
endemic birds of Sri Lanka indulge in candle wicks without any reverence
pond with fish and turtles
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Mahindu Stupa (Mihindu Seya) (map), where the ashes of Mahindu himself are kept.
If you walk along the path between the Ambastala Stupa and Aradhana Gala, you can walk to the Mahinda Cave, where he lived and meditated. There you can see the so-called Mahinda's bed - a flat rock slab.
Mihintale is imbued with some kindness and peace. Is it somehow related to Buddhism (in the middle between the stupas there is a small functioning temple) or is it just natural place strength - I do not know. But from the visit, there was a feeling of received mental strength and health. We were very pleased with the visit.
It took us two hours for a leisurely survey of everything, but, again, we did not examine the numerous ruins below the parking lot. In general, we are of the opinion that one should not get too tired and make extra efforts when sightseeing. Museum or archaeological complex - after 3 hours fatigue and dullness of perception sets in, and then the effect and impressions are completely different. In my opinion, undershoot is always better than overshoot.
When we got back to the minibus, it turned out that the Czechs were already there. Their bored look said that they were obviously waiting for us for more than five minutes. It turned out - half an hour. It was a little uncomfortable for us, but we couldn't give up watching everything we wanted in a mode that was comfortable for us ... This is the result of a joint trip of different people. True, then the guy, apologizing, asked us to let the driver first take them to where they could buy beer, and only then to the hotel. We agreed with pleasure, compensating them for their waiting time.
In our hotel, dinner was ordered, because judging by the reviews, it is better not to risk it here, but to eat at your hotel. Moreover, it cost 600 rupees per person, everything is very tasty (curry with another variety of sauces). In general, we really liked the hotel and the owners (a young family). I have a review on the booking
In the evening we asked the hotel owner to call our friend Abi and order a car for us to see Anuradhapura. The objects are located far from each other, and it is best to explore the complex, and even in the heat, by transport.
In the morning, at the appointed time, a minibus drove into the courtyard of our hotel - another one - not the same as yesterday. The driver was also different. Young guy. From a conversation with him, it turned out that he had come for us, and Abi was his uncle. In general, a family clan. This time there were no fellow travelers, we could comfortably inspect everything that was interesting to us, cooling each time in the saving air-conditioned atmosphere of the car after another object under the scorching sun.
We had a printout of the Anuradhapura tourist sites map. At the beginning of the trip, we considered the Abhayagiri monastery complex as an object to visit (1 ticket $ 30). But already now they decided to refrain from examining it, or, in any case, leave it for last. The driver, when asked whether it is worth going to Abhayagiri, shrugged his shoulders doubtfully and said that "Abhayagiri is not very important." In addition, the following opinion was met on the Internet: “Many tourists generally refuse to buy a ticket, go around the sights on their own, without entering the territory of Abhayagiri, visiting only free ones. Paid and free dagobas are generally monotonous, and you will most likely get bored after the third or fourth. "
Anuradhapura is the first ancient capital of the Sinhalese kingdom. The main tourist sites in the city these are stupas. Some of them are just gigantic. One of them is brick Jetavana.It is really just huge, visible from afar. It is the highest dagoba in the world, built of bricks (originally 122 m, 3rd century). The belt of the Buddha is allegedly immured inside.
The rest of the stupas are also quite interesting and completely free. I especially liked Ruvanvelisia. The most revered of all the other stupas, since the most relics are stored in it.
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The stupa is located on a platform decorated with bas-reliefs of more than a hundred elephants (elephants participated in the construction of the dagoba).
Around the stupa there are: a sanctuary with 5 Buddha statues and frescoes,
4 mini-dagobas, a dagoba model in a glass cube and a sculpture of King Dutugemunu.
The height of the stupa is 92 m, diameter 90. From the original appearance almost nothing was left. We even saw regular restoration work, in which both monks and the local population took part.
Stupa thuparama (Thuparama Dagoba) is the very first stupa in Sri Lanka dedicated to the emergence of Buddhism.
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The collarbone of the Buddha is immured in the Stupa, around the remains of the destroyed buildings of the old city.
Anuradhapura from A to Z: map, hotels, attractions, restaurants, entertainment. Shopping, shops. Photos, videos and reviews about Anuradhapura.
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Anuradhapura is the administrative center of the North-Central Province of Sri Lanka and one of the oldest cities in Ceylon. For a long time, Anaradhapura, located in a strategically important place - at the intersection of two port zones - and hidden in the depths of the jungle, was the capital of the state - until 1017, when the city was seriously destroyed by invaders from South India and abandoned by the inhabitants.
For almost a thousand years, the city stood in desolation, and only in the 19th century, an English hunter stumbled upon it in the jungle.
Today Anuradhapura has been largely restored and divided into two parts: Old city, which is a non-residential security zone, and New town, where the entire population of Anuradhapura (about 50,000 people) lives and there is a tourist area with hotels, restaurants and shops.
The city is quite far from coastline, therefore, tourists to Anuradhapura are attracted primarily by the world-famous cultural and historical monuments of Sri Lanka, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
How to get there
Anuradhapura is located 200 kilometers from the capital of the island - Colombo. You can get to the city by train (there are two railway stations), as well as by bus in 5 hours (it comes to the bus station in Novy Gorod) or by a rented car on the A9 highway in 4 hours.
Search for flights to Colombo (closest airport to Anuradhapura)
Transport
Buses and tuk-tuk run around the New Town, but there is little need for them - this small area can be easily walked from end to end in half an hour. But the protection zone on the other bank of the Malvathu-Oya river is very large in territory - and you can't do without a tuk-tuk here. However, in many places of the Old City, the movement of any transport, even tuk-tuk, is prohibited.
Popular hotels in Anuradhapura
Excursions, entertainment and attractions of Anuradhapura
As mentioned above, most tourists come to see the monuments of the Old City. Among them are the so-called dagobas (Buddhist religious structures intended for storing relics) Thumaparama, Ruanveli with the famous stone statues of Buddha, Jetavanarama, which is considered one of the tallest brick structures in the ancient world, as well as the statue of Buddha Aukana and the sacred Bodhi tree, which is considered the most ancient from famous trees, with the Mahabodhi temple built around it. And this is only a small part of those monuments that await travelers in the Old City of Anuradhapura.
Anuradhapura
In the New Town, there are many hotels, restaurants and shops, there is also a market where you can buy souvenirs.
It's worth remembering that although alcohol is sold in tourist-oriented establishments, public drinking is not encouraged in Sri Lanka.
- Where to stay: at one of high mountain resorts Ceylon, where even in colonial times the British hid from the heat, namely in Kandy or Nuwara Eliya. Alternatively, you can stay in the country's capital
The history of the founding of the city is lost in the centuries. According to one of the versions, after the South Indian prince Vijaya came to the island, among his seven hundred companions there was a man named Anuradha, who founded a small village. The village was named after him, and over time, a small settlement turned into a large one. According to another legend, the city was named after a star in the constellation Scorpio - Anuradha. Which theory to choose, everyone can decide for himself, but one thing will remain unchanged. Anuradhapura is a holy city and ancient capital of Sri Lanka for 1500 years. Every year thousands of believers make pilgrimage to holy places.
The period when Anuradhapura directly became the capital of the kingdom began with King Pandukabay, who established the city as the capital in 380 BC. e. To the west of the city, he built the Basawa Kulam reservoir to supply water to the city's growing population, established a sewage system, laid out parks, and built palaces.
Judging by the ancient chronicles and surviving monuments, Anuradhapura was built according to a certain plan. Four city gates were oriented to the cardinal points, and the defensive walls surrounding the city were already in the 1st century. BC. reached a height of about 2 meters. In the II century. BC. the walls of Anuradhapura were built on and supplemented watchtowers... Ancient Anuradhapura consisted of an inner city, which formed the royal palace and the most important religious buildings, and the outer city that grew later. The inner city was adjoined by a park that King Devanampiyatissa donated to the Buddhist community. It should be noted that during the heyday, the territory of Anuradhapura exceeded 12 km. in diameter, and lived in it more than 300,000 people.
Due to its location, Anuradhapura was a very vulnerable city for foreign invaders. She was constantly attacked and periodically influenced by the kings of the Indian dynasties. One of these Indian rulers was the Tamil prince Elara, who came from South India in 205 BC. He managed to hold on to power on the island for 44 years until he grew up a little prince by the name of Dutugamunu, who decided to expel the Indian invaders from Sri Lanka. His confrontation with Prince Elara lasted about 15 years, however, in 161 BC. the victory remained with Dutugamuna.
The Indian Cholov army, which came at the end of the 10th century, under the leadership of Prince Rajarai the Great, destroyed Anurahdapura, but after their overthrow in 1070 the city was rebuilt. The island's capital, transferred by the Cholami to Polonnaruwa, was left there. People slowly left Anuradhapura, which over time was abandoned and swallowed up by the jungle, until 1980, when, under the patronage of the world organization UNESCO, recorded the ruins of Anuradhapura in the list world heritage, a comprehensive restoration of the ruins of the first ancient capital of Sri Lanka began.
Anuradhapura is undoubtedly one of the most attractive destinations for both pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. Like many centuries ago, monks and Buddhist believers come here. Students and schoolchildren often come to the ancient capital to once again remember their great history and better understand the present.
Built around two huge boulders below the Tissaveva reservoir created by King Devanampiyatissa, the temple was part of the oldest monastic complex, founded in the 3rd century BC. BC, which includes a Buddhist temple in the rock, with a statue of a reclining Buddha, a pond and bas-reliefs of elephants carved into the rock, preserved in their original form. Some of the sculptures remained in their places, but some of them were transferred to a specially created nearby museum.
One of these famous bas-reliefs is the image of a girl kneeling by her beloved warrior. The work dates back to the 5th century. According to the local, this depicts the son of King Dutugamunu, Salia, and his beloved Asokamala, a girl from the lower caste of "untouchables", for the sake of whom Salia renounced the throne.
On the shores of Lake Tissa is Mirisaveti Dagoba, built of red brick with a broken edge on top. This stupa was built under King Dutugamunu. According to legend, the ruler went for a swim, stuck in the ground a symbol of power - the royal yoke with the relics of Buddha. At the end of the bathing, the king, with all his strength, could not pull the yoke out of the ground and, considering this as a sign, ordered to lay a dagoba in this place. The work was carried out for about 3 years, and the height of the stupa reached 60 meters, but in the 10th century it was rebuilt.
To the right from the oldest reservoir, Basavakkulam, built during the reign of King Pandukabay in the 4th century. BC, with an area of \u200b\u200babout 120 hectares, one of the most ancient and revered stupas of Sri Lanka - Ruvanvalisaya, founded, according to legend, by King Dutagamunu in the II century BC in honor of his victory over the Indian prince Elara, opens up. However, unfortunately the king did not live to see the completion of the construction. Ruvanvelisaya is otherwise called the White Stupa or Mahatupa, which translated from Sinhalese means the Great Stupa, although it is only the third largest of all the stupas of ancient Anuradhapura and soars 55 meters in height.
The stupa was built on a foundation of golden gravel and is located, as it were, on a pedestal, on the outer wall of which 400 elephants standing shoulder to shoulder are carved. The meaning of these elephants is explained in two ways. On the one hand, the elephants support the platform on which the dagoba stands, as if supporting the earth in accordance with Buddhist cosmology. On the other hand, they say that the elephants simply helped in the construction of the stupa and this is a tribute to the memory of the stately workers. Unfortunately, after repeated restorations begun in 1893, the stupa lost its original shape.
If you walk around Ruvanvelisaya clockwise, you will see a modern sanctuary, where five statues of the standing Buddha are located. Four of them, made of limestone, date back to the 8th century and symbolize the four incarnations of Buddha on earth, and the fifth modern statue symbolizes the future Buddha and is crowned with a tiara, and holds a lotus flower in his hand. Continuing around Ruvanvelisai, you will see a statue facing the dagoba. According to legend, this is the figure of King Datugamunu himself, built by his son Siddatissa, who completed the construction of his father's stupa and erected his statue so that he could enjoy his majestic creation. A small model of the original Ruvanvelisaya stupa can be seen nearby.
One of the shrines revered by Buddhists around the world, the Bo or Bodhi tree. It is reputed to be the oldest plant on earth, and its age is about 2250 years. The tree grew from a seedling taken from the Buddha tree in India, under which, according to legend, Prince Gautama attained enlightenment. The seedling was brought to the island by Princess Sangamitta, daughter of the Indian Emperor Ashoka and sister of Prince Mahinda, who brought the idea of \u200b\u200bBuddhism to Sri Lanka. The original tree has not survived, but the sacred offshoot in Anuradhapura is growing to this day, despite the fact that the city was regularly attacked and conquered by Indian invaders who destroyed the ancient capital. Numerous shoots of this Bo tree have been planted throughout Sri Lanka, as well as in many countries. South-East Asia... Now the mighty branches of the tree growing at the top of the terrace are supported by special gilded iron props that can be seen around. All visitors, when approaching the tree, should take off their headdress and shoes in accordance with the customs of Buddhism, which means respect for shrines.
To the right of the sacred Bodhi tree, you can see the Lohapasada Palace or "Bronze Palace", which is a strange and amazing structure, built by King Dutugamunu over 2000 years ago. The palace is a 9-storey building with 1000 rooms, the roof of which is supported by 1600 columns, about 4 meters high. In ancient times, all the columns were decorated with silver plates, and the roof of the palace building, reminiscent of a pyramid, was covered with bronze copper sheets, which gave it its name "bronze". Since the palace was built of wood, it was destroyed several times as a result of fires and was restored first up to the 7th floor, and after another fire in the 4th century only until the 5th. With the capture of Anuradhapura by the Indian Cholov army, the Bronze Palace was finally destroyed. The columns that have survived to this day were collected from the remains of more ancient buildings by King Parakramabahu the Great in the 12th century.
At the exit from the Mahavihara monastery complex, consisting of the Bodhi tree, the Bronze Palace and Ruvanveli Dagobda, on the right is the Jetavanarama monastery, on the central platform of which there is a giant stupa, about 120 meters high. On June 4, 2009, Jetavan Dagoba was inaugurated for visiting and conducting Buddhist ceremonies. Work on the restoration of Dagoba began in 1981 and lasted for about 28 years. Dagoba is equipped with a special lighting system of lights, which allows illuminating the stupa during religious holidays.
According to the main Sri Lankan chronicle "Mahavamsa" King Mahasena built this huge Dagoba, 112 meters in diameter, of red brick in the 3rd century BC. About 90 million bricks and a quarter of a century were spent on construction. The stupa is a perfect circle. It is known that in ancient times, on the site where the stupa was built, the Nandana Gardens were located, where for seven days Arahat Mahinda, the son of King Ashoka, who brought Buddhism to Sri Lanka, read a sermon. Since then, the name Jetavana (changed from Jotyvan) has gone, literally meaning "the place where the rays of liberation shone." In the ancient records of the 13th century, it is said that a fragment of the sash with which the Buddha girded is immured in a stupa.
The original height of the stupa was about 160 meters, which made it the third tallest structure in the world after famous pyramids in Giza. During the conservation and restoration work, it was discovered that the foundation of the stupa went more than 8.5 meters into the soil, and now the height of Jetavan Dagoba is 71 meters. However, it remains the largest stupa in the world, built entirely of brick.
To the west of the stupa is the house of the Buddha image. Judging by the preserved doorway 8 meters high, it was an impressive building.
Returning to the road leading past the Bassavakkulam reservoir, you can see the oldest dagoba of Anuradhapura - Tuparama, which literally means "stupa". The Tuparama Stupa is the first religious building of Anuradhapura and the first stupa built in Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC. King Devanampiyatissa as a sign of his acceptance of Buddhism. Its height is only about 19 meters, and inside is a particle of the Buddha's right collarbone. In the 6th and 13th centuries, the stupa was completed and even covered with a wooden roof, of which only the numerous columns that supported it remained. The stupa that you can see today was restored and faced with white marble in 1862.
In the northern part of Anuradhapura, there is the Abyagiri monastery, which covers an area of \u200b\u200babout 235 hectares. The monastery was built in the 1st century. BC. King Walagambahu for a group of monks expelled for heresy from the Mahavihara monastery, who created a new trend of Mahayana Buddhism, which was more liberal, in contrast to the traditional strict Theravada teachings. In the center of the monastery is the Abyagiri stupa, built by King Hajabahu. In the 12th century, King Parakramabahu completed the dagoba to a height of 115 meters, which made it the second tallest dagoba of the ancient capital, but today the height of the stupa does not exceed 75 meters. According to legend, the stupa was built over the footprint of the Buddha.
Samadhi Buddha statue in meditation pose. The statue was carved from limestone in the 4th century and according to legend, the eyes of the statue were made of natural stones. Those who want to get closer should take off their shoes and hats.
The unique structure of the Abyagiri monastery is the Gemini pools, built in the 8th century by monks. In fact, the pools cannot be considered twins because one of them is 28 meters long, and the other 40. The uniqueness of the pools lies in the water purification system, which, before entering the pool, passes through a series of small depressions to the right of the structure, where mud settles to the bottom. and clean water enters the smaller pool through an opening topped by a dilapidated lion's head. A stone statue of a snake next to it symbolizes good luck. The two pools are connected by a small diameter pipeline.
Traveler
Entrance fee: $ 25 / 12.5 or 4500/2250 adult / child.
The ticket is valid only during the day! But many Anuradhapura can be visited for free, so if you plan to explore it for more than one day, then it makes sense to visit paid places in one day - Abyagiri, Citadel, Jetavanarama, museums and the main Architectural Museum, and on other days to explore the rest. Ticket office are near Architectural Museum... Tuk tukers can offer to drive you around the complex without buying tickets by paying them in person, but the amount is less than the cost of the tickets.
The sights of Anuradhapura can be viewed even in the evening when the lights turn on and Sri Lankans come to religious sites for ceremonies. After 6 pm the ticket offices are closed and you can walk around all sights for free.
It is prohibited to use quadcopters in Anuradhapura.
Around the clock
Rs 4500/2250 adult / child
Time for inspection - 4 hours
And again we are glad to see you on the pages. Today, leaving the north of Sri Lanka, namely we went to the side sacred city \u200b\u200bof Anuradhapura with many ancient monuments cultural heritage, it is also called Old town, from where in 1950 all residents were resettled to the new part of the city. And since we are not too rich travelers, we will share with you the story of how we managed to see all the sights for free.
Bus: Anuradhapura can be reached by bus in 5 hours (it comes to the bus station in the New City).
- Option 1 - after the airport in Colombo we get to the airport bus station (on foot, "tuk-tuk"). There is no direct bus from this station to Anuradhapura, but from there you can get to Colombo itself and change to direct bus # 5 there.
- Option 2 - go to the bus station in Negombo, change to a bus to Anuradhapura or to Kurunegala where you can change to another bus. Straight the bus is coming through Puttalam. You can also get there with a transfer via Kandy, Matale, Kurunegala.
Deciding to try public transport, we went by bus from Jaffna for 100 rupees (26 rubles).
Having reached the town of Kilinochi (144 km from Kilinochi to Anuradhapura), we already hitchhiked, but you can use the train (280 rupees per person).
How to get to the sacred city of Anuradhapura for free.
Since we got up early, we still had a lot of time left to hitchhike to the desired point and see the sights. In principle, all the most interesting cities is located on one large territory, where a single entrance ticket costs 3200 rupees (800 rubles) or $ 25. We didn’t know how many passages there were. attractions cost, although I heard, in some cases, very overpriced. And the point is not at all that Sri Lanka has the most unique sights of all Asia, it's just that the state's policy is too greedy for money.
Naturally, paying such crazy money for a couple of stupas is too "stupid", so we walked around the territory a little from the side and climbed over a low fence. The first stop was a 120 meter stupa Jetavanarama,located on the ruins of the Jetavana monastery.
Well, yes, a large, large stupa, of which we have seen enough back in, which differs from the rest only in that it is considered the largest in Sri Lanka. And it is obligatory, it is not even specified, it keeps a fragment of some "detail" of the Buddha. This time it's part of his belt.
In principle, it even slightly impresses in size and for me personally it seemed the most interesting attraction of Anuradhapura than all other archaeological sites of the old city.
To reach the second stupa, we had to overcome the secondary ticket control, which we, of course, did not suspect.
The guard, seeing from afar two large backpacks, immediately jumped up and waved his hands at us. Andrei did not even look in his direction, passing further, I followed his example. The guard, taken aback by our insolence, threw his seat and in three leaps appeared in front of us, blocking the path and shouting “Ticket! Ticket! " I silently looked at Andrey, who looked at the guard with a stupid look and, in turn, also waved my hands at him, posing as a deaf-mute. The uniformed man's face slowly stretched out and froze for a few seconds. I almost ruined everything with the desire to laugh when I saw his confused look. Still in shock, he automatically jabbed his finger in my direction, hoping that maybe I was "normal". However, I repeated the same "concert", smiling apologetically. This finally "finished off" the guard, waving his hand, he passed our smiling grateful faces further.
Picnic at the Ruvanvalisaya stupa.
Walking forward a few meters, we allowed ourselves to have fun from the heart. In order not to run into another employee of the holy city of Anuradhapura, we walked around a large white stupa Ruvanvalisayafrom the side.
I would say that it was from here that the best view at her.
Another "masterpiece" of Sri Lankan architecture is also known under the names of Mahatupa, Svarnamali and Ratnamali Dagaba.
Here we temporarily dropped our backpacks to rest in the shade of the trees, swing on long springy branches like monkeys, and gaze at the birds.
By the way, there were enough monkeys here too, I can't stand them since childhood.
They didn’t come to us, and okay.
Acquaintance at the sacred tree Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi (Sri Maha Bodhi).
After resting, the hike continued to the sacred tree Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, grown from the offshoot of the very one under which the Buddha received illumination. On the way I got Lovamahapaya - a building formed in ancient times by 40 rows, each of which contains 40 stone columns, for a total of 1600 columns. The remains of the latter (and maybe a remake) can be seen right in front of the palace.
Suddenly a young foreigner appeared in front of me, who greeted me in good English and asked where I was from. What else could I answer if not the truth. The boy was from Germany, for the first time got out of his country and somehow his choice fell on Sri Lanka. He asked where we were staying, noticing two backpacks next to me. He clearly lacked the company, perhaps he hoped to join us. I said that we are hitchhikers and sleep in a tent or at the locals. At first he was interested in this, and he even squatted in front of me, but after several of my stories, he realized that it was unlikely that we were on the way, as quickly saying goodbye as he had appeared.
By that time, Andrei had finished examining the sacred plant behind the fence, and answered my questions briefly: “a tree is like a tree, nothing special. The fence is only fenced off from especially prying eyes and mischievous hands. "
The last attraction of Anuradhapura is the Mirisaveti stupa.
Before leaving the old part of the sacred city of Anuradhapura, Andrey decided to turn to the next stupa Mirisaveti Stupa, built on the site of a scepter with relics of the same Buddha.
There was nothing else to do in the city, and we went in search of a bus to the nearest one, 16 km before which we paid 35 rupees (9 rubles). Where we had dinner and found shelter in one of the churches, accidentally left open all night, but you will learn about these details a little later. Stay with us, subscribe to the blog news and do not forget to share your pleasant impressions of what you read with your friends through the social buttons below :).
Tiny Mihintale is considered the cradle of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. It was here in the 3rd century BC. the first Buddhist monastery appeared and the missionary activity of Mahinda began - in honor of him, Mount Mihintale is also called Mount Mahinda.
Over the years, the monastery expanded, gained influence, and until the 13th century was the third largest monastery complex in Sri Lanka. Over the centuries, stupas have been erected here (there were more than 60), and some are quite large.
Today Mihintale is rightly considered sacred and visited by pilgrims. This is a working temple: a calm and majestic place, numerous stupas and other ancient structures discreetly, but perfectly fit into the landscape. In one of the oldest stupas there are the remains of Mahinda, on the mountain there is also a large statue of Buddha.
Coordinates: 8.35027500,80.51811200
Bo tree
The Bo tree (or sacred ficus) is one of the oldest trees in the world. It is difficult to imagine its age - 23 centuries. The centuries-old mass grew from a seedling taken from a tree in Budha Goya, Nepal, under which Buddha attained enlightenment. For this reason, of course, the tree is a kind of shrine for all followers of Buddhism.
The scion was brought from Nepal to the island in the 3rd century BC by the nun Sangamitta, daughter of the Indian emperor Ashoka, and found its place in the royal park of Anuradhapura.
It would seem that such an old tree should be very large. But the sacred Bo itself is small, its venerable old age is supported by special props. But the neighboring protective tree is impressively huge.
As befits a shrine, Bo's tree surrounded by a golden fence is carefully guarded. You can't just approach him. But after passing the protective cordons, near the tree you can freeze in awe and, if you're lucky, pick up a fallen leaf in memory of the pilgrimage.
Coordinates: 8.34433100,80.39734800
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Jetavanarama stupa
Jetavanarama is a unique monastery complex created by King Mahasena in 276-303. During the dawn of the monastery, about 3000 monks were housed on its territory, which occupied an area of \u200b\u200b48 hectares. On the central platform of the complex is the Jetavana Stupa, which rises to 120 m and is the tallest brick structure ever built by man. In the IV century AD, during the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Jetavanarama stupa was the third largest structure in the world, second only to the pyramids of Chephren and Cheops in Giza. The structure has massive brickwork, which goes down to 14 meters deep, so that the weight of the monument falls entirely on the bedrock.
Another uniqueness of the stupa is that it is a perfect circle and contains particles of the physical remains of the Buddha. The site where the structure stands was known in antiquity as the Nandana Gardens. It was here that Arahat Mahinda read a sermon for 7000 people for 7 days. The Jetavanarama Stupa was erected over the imprint of the Buddha's foot, and 93,300,000 bricks were used to build it.
Coordinates: 8.35176200,80.40372100
The Central Bank Money Museum can compete with its collections history museum, because it was in the coins of their kingdoms that the history of Sri Lanka was reflected. Here you can trace all the stages of the country's development from colonial times, when the territory was under the rule of first Portugal, and then Holland and Britain, to the present day. The exhibits of the money museum collections are recognized as the oldest in the region.
The museum was established in April 1982 to house the complete collection of the country's numismatics. But over time, the exhibits became more and more, they covered wider time periods and the collection was divided into four thematic expositions: "Ancient period", "Medieval period", "Colonial period" and "The period of independence since the creation of the Central Bank of Sri Lanka. ".
In the first two, you can find the oldest coins that were in circulation in Sri Lanka. They were called Kahapana and date back to the 3rd century BC. They were of the most varied forms and were made mainly of silver. The kahavanu gold coins appeared on the island only four centuries later. The first foreign coins appeared with the development of navigation and trade. Many coins of Greek, Indo-Greek, Roman, Chinese and Arabic origin have been found in Sri Lanka.
Coordinates: 6.93427600,79.84226900
Twin Pools Kutam Pokuna
Kutam Pokuna Pools (Twin Pools) - Ancient Pools Of the ancient worldof great hydrological, engineering, architectural and artistic value. The pools were intended for the bathing of Buddhist monks.
The pools were built in the 8th century in the kingdom of Andradhapura. In fact, the pools are not twins, because the first is 28 meters long and the second is 40 meters.
The pools are carved from granite slabs that cover the bottom and walls. They are also led by stepped walls in the form of shelves, on which, when bathing, the monks put pots for ablution and other objects.
Pools are different unique system water purification: before entering the pool, water passes through a series of depressions next to the structure, and all the dirt settles at the bottom. The pools are connected to each other by means of a pipeline.
Coordinates: 8.37110200,80.40159700
Abhayagiri stupa
The stupa in Anuradhapura is the second tallest building in the Ancient World, built in the 1st century BC by King Watt Gamini Abhaya. The height of the stupa is over 112 meters.
In front of the entrance to the stupa, two stone statues are installed, which are considered the guardians of the god Kuvera. The name of the stupa consists of two names - the name of King Abhay and the name of Jain, known as Giri. The stupa houses an interesting library of the Ancient World, which even foreign scholars interested in studying Buddhism seek to visit.
It is believed that the stupa is decorated with gold, silver and precious stones.
Next to the stupa, a monastery of the same name was built, in which 5,000 monks once lived. They worshiped a statue of Buddha made of green jade.
Coordinates: 8.37101700,80.39550300
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