Renowned as the cultural heard of the country, Anuradhapura is Sri Lanka’s first major capital lined with age-old temples. Visit this city located in the north-central province of the country to explore the religious compounds and the remnants of the rich history of Ceylon.
Declared by UNESCO as a world heritage city, Anuradhapura is regarded as Sri Lanka’s first known kingdom and the capital of the island for many centuries. Being well known for its cultural and religious value, the city attracts many local and foreign visitors who love to explore the ancient history of Sri Lanka.
Among the many attractions in the city are the Dagabas, tanks, wildlife, art and architecture which are highly respected for their religious and cultural value. The civilization which developed through Anuradhapura is woven around the tanks, the dagabas and temples. These attractions vary from Sri Maha Bodhi which is a branch of the sacred Bo tree in which the Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, to the tallest Dagabas, temples and remains from palaces which are regarded by the Buddhists as the depiction of Buddhism.
For anyone planning a visit to Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura would easily be a must-visit site and also a place that would create a deep appreciation of an ancient way of life which entwined religion, art and architecture.