Anuradhapura was the site of the Anu-radha-pura kingdom about 1500 years ago calculated from 380 B.C. The city at present is a popular tourist destination because of its finest historical monuments. These monuments not only provide you with the glimpses of Sri Lankan history but are splendid architectural specimens too. The place is frequented by the innumerable Buddhist pilgrims all round the year as the countless celebrated Buddhist Stupas and monasteries dot the place. The Tourist Attractions in Anuradhapura comprise relics of the old palaces, temples, monasteries, historical baths and the temple of the holy Bo tree. This tree is one of the major Tourist Attractions in Anuradhapura as the tree has grown from being a small sapling of the tree under which Buddha meditated and obtained enlightenment about 2500 years ago.
Tourist Attractions in Anuradhapura comprise Ankana Buddha: the statue dates back to the 5th century to the reign of King Dathuseana. Lying about 50 km south of Anuradhapura, the statue has been created by carving out a solid granite rock. Thuparama Temple is another major tourist attraction in Anuradhapura and is possibly the oldest dagoba of Sri Lanka. Popular belief goes that the collar bone of Lord Buddha is preserved here at this temple, even today.
Other major Tourist Attractions in Anuradhapura consist of Isurumuniya Lovers which was created in the 3rd century B.C and is noted for its splendid rock carvings. Ruwanveli Sweya is most famous of the Buddhist stupas at Anuradhapura and was constructed in the reign of the famous Emperor Dutugamunu. Pay a visit to the Abhayagiri Stupa and Monastery. The stupa measures about 108 meters in height and was one of the tallest buildings of the ancient world. Samadhi Statue is the finest Buddha structure of Sril Lanka which was constructed in the 3 rd century A. D. and finds place here.
Mihintale is of great historical significance as it is in this place that Thero Mahinda, the son of emperor Asoka acquainted the Sinhalese people with the life and teachings of Buddha. Jethawana Monastery and the museums of Anuradhapura are some of the must-visit Tourist Attractions in Anuradhapura.
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