ANURADHAPURA
Anuradhapura, the main city of the North-Central province 128
miles away from Colombo, is the first capital of ancient Ceylon,
initially found by Prince Wijaya and his crew. The city boasts
a history of 1500 years of royalty, starting from 05th Century
BC till 10th Century AD, during the period, where 123 kings
are said to have been in rule. The inception of the city is
accredited to three legends, of which the accepted is that a
General of Prince Wijaya named Anuradha inaugurated the initial
establishment of the city in a village scale, which grew and
expanded its boundaries with time. Thus, the city was given
the name Anuradhapura, to commemorate his act. Another legend
depicts that ninety kings ruled the city, baptizing the city
as Anu-raja-pura, meaning the city of ninety kings. The final
legend applies beliefs in Astrology and auspicious times, as
the foundation of the city is said to have been laid at the
Anura auspicious time, leading the city to be named Anuradhapura.
The first recorded king of Anuradhapura is King Pandukhabhaya
who was also the first Sinhalese King. He is said to have restructured
the former Anuradhagama and re--established it near Kadamba
Nadee (present Malvatu Oya), completing it with amenities such
as reservoirs, houses for citizens, hospitals, stupas, dwellings
for priests and cemeteries etc.
The most noteworthy event in the history of Anuradhapura
was the establishment of Budhhism in Ceylon, as Arihath Mahinda
Thero and seven monks who accompanied him to Ceylon were met
by King Devenampiyathissa during his hunting expedition in
a full moon lit night in the month of June (Poson). Buddhism
was acknowledged by the king himself and he took initiative
to spread the religion among his people who were believers
of non-existing gods, who said to have lived in the forests
and caves. This great step taken in cultivating a civilization
in the country was further endorsed by the arrival of Sanghamittha
Thero, the sister of Arihath Mahinda Thero, who brought a
sapling of the Bo tree that sheltered Lord Buddha during his
enlightenment. This sapling was planted in Anuradhapura and
the king was nominated as its rightful caretaker.
Mahavihara
Mahavihara was the most important Vihara of Sri Lanka. It
was founded in the 4th century BC by King Devanampiyatissa.
The only remains of the magnificent buildings of the ancient
monastery are the stone pillars that are scattered all over
the large area.
Sri maha bodhiya
Sri Maha bodhi, the oldest historical tree of the world. is
found within the precincts of the Mahavihara. It is also the
most sacred place in Sri Lanka and is found on the highest
terrace, surrounded by a number of other Bodhi trees. The
visitors can go only up to the middle terrace, as it is looked
after very well observing all the traditions handed down from
generation to generation. The Sri Maha Bodhi Viharaya is found
on the lower terrace and adjacent to the terrace of the Sacred
Bodhi Tree. These are enclosed by a parepet wall.
Ruwanweliseya
Ruwanweliseya renovated during the last century, was originally
built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd Century BC. This was also
known as the Mahaseya, and is the most celebrated stupa in
Sri Lanka. The remains of the ancient buildings and architecture
include the statues of King Dutugemunu, his mother Vihara
Maha Devi, stone pillars' moon stones and many more.LovamahapayaLovamahapaya
also known as the Brazen Palace, too was also constructed
by king Dutugemunu. The formation was the assembly hall of
the Mahavihara. The only remains of this massive hall are
1600 stone pillars standing in 40 rows.
Thuparamaya
Thuparamaya was the first stupa built in Sri Lanka after Buddhism
was introduced by Arahath Mahinda Thero. In the 07th Century
BC it was in ruins and after it was restored, a WATADAGE was
added. The concentric stone pillars standing right round the
stupa are the remains of the old Watadage.
Jetawanaramaya
Jetavanaramaya, built by Mahasena (275 - 301), is the highest
Stupa in the world and the third highest building of the ancient
world. The monastery of this ancient stupa is no more. The
excavations and conservations of this monastety and its stupa
are now being done under the Sri Lanka - Unesco Cultural Triangle
Project by the Central Cultural Fund under the Ministry of
Cultural Affairs.
Abhayagiriya
Abhayagiriya was founded in 89 BC by King Vatte Gamini Abhaya.
Soon it became the seat of the heterodox, Mahayana doctrines,
and a rival to the orthodox Mahavihara. Fa - Hsein (411-413)
says that there were 5000 monks in residence at Abhayagiriya
in this time. He describes the Stupa, the Buddha image and
the tooth relic in procession. The monastery and its ancillary
buildings are no more. Only the stupa remains in ruins. This
monastery too is being excavated and conserved under the Sri
Lanka UNESCO cultural Triangle Project.
Daladage
Daladage is the site where the ancient Tooth Relic Temple
was found. The Sacred Tooth Relic was brought to Sri Lanka
in the region of Sirimeghavanna (301 - 308). The king housed
it in the DHAVIMAKAKKA VIHARA that had been built by King
Devanampiyatissa (307 BC - 267 BC). Thereafter this came to
be known by the name Daladage which has been identified by
an inscription in situ by Mahinda (956 -972). The tall stone
columns are the only remains of it.
Raja Maliga
This was the site of the ancient Palace built by King Vijayabahu
(1055 -1110).It was an unpretentious building and the king
resided in it for a few months. After he shifted the capital
to Polonnaruwa this might have been the Royal Palace whenever
he visited the ancient capital. This has been conserved and
the guard stones at the entrance to the main building are
excellent.
Kuttampokuna
Kuttam Pokuna or the Twin Ponds are a fine example of the
landscape architecture in this ancient city. This is a massive
stone structure with flights of steps on all four sides, leading
to the water.
Samadhi Buddha Image
This is one of the finest pieces of Sinhalese art. In the
sculpture the Buddha is depicted in the state of mind explained
in Pali by the term NIRODHA- SAMPATHTHI extinction of feeling
and perception. It is a state in which all consciousness and
mental activities are temporarily suspended. Therefore the
explanations like "the Buddha in meditation" are
not correct.
Tapowanaya
Thapowanaya has a group of fourteen structures to the west
of the city. These are now generally referred to by the name
the Western Monasteries. This was the monastery where the
forest monks lived. Some of these monks observed a rigid rule
according to which they wore only those robes which are made
of rags from corpses. These monks led a simple and ascetic
life.
Mirisawetiya Stupa
This was built by King Dutugamunu in gratitude for his victory
over the Tamil invaders led by Elara. The King's spear along
with the Buddha's relic is enshrined in this stupa. The extensive
ruins around the stupa indicate some of the magnificent buildings
of the ancient monastery which had been at this site. The
stupa is now being restored.
Dakkhina Vihara
Dakkhina Vihara was found by Uttiya, a minister of Vattagamini
Abhaya (BC 89-77), its stupa has been well conserved. This
was built over the cremation site of King Dutugemunu. The
Viharaya was endowed with a monastery, a refectory and other
buildings necessary for a temple. Today only the remains of
some of them are found.
Isurumuniya
Isurumuniya has been identified as the ancient Megha Giri
Viharaya where rain making ceremonies were carried out, some
of the sculptures of this temple are the most beautiful works
of art in Anuradhapura. The sculptures of a man and a horse
and that of the lovers have been widely discussed by scholars.
Vessagiriya
It was a monastery founded in the 03rd Century BC. The remains
of the ancient monastery are scattered over an extensive area.
This was considered a suitable dwelling place for the ascetic
monks. The caves in this site were converted to dwellings
for the priests. This is another fine example of landscaped
architecture. According to the inscriptions available at the
site, this site has now been identified as the lsurumuni Vihara
of the Chronicles. As a result, Vessagiriya is yet to be identified.
Tholuwila
Tholuwila is the present name of the city where the remains
of an ancient monastery was found. The seated Buddha statue
discovered here is now in the Colombo National Museum. This
is considered as one of the greatest works of art. The site
of this ancient monastery has been disturbed by works of modern
civilization. The remains of the image house and many other
buildings are scattered here and there.
Top of the Page ^^
|
