Anuradapura

Anuradapura is the most ruined ancient city in Sri Lanka. According to the mahawansa, the historical chronicle this city was founded in 380 BC.

Anuradapura has a long history of Sinhala Civilization. It was a capital city of Sri Lanka. This majestic city was ruled by many kings consisted of benevolent kings, despotic monarchs, retreating rulers and conquerors. Archaeological museum in Anuradapura is the clear evidence for past history of this ruined land.

The majestic Dagaba Thuparamaya was built by King Devanam Piyatissa in 3rd century BC to enshrine clavicle Lord Buddha that was gifted by the mauryan Missionary Emperor Asoka.

It was said that King Asoka was a chauvinist converted in to a pacifist by an ordinary Buddhist monk became a strong devotee of Lord Buddha and sent his son Mahinda and daughter Sangamitha with a branch or plant extracted from the parent Bo-tree Buddhagaya India, under the shade of this parent Bo-tree only Lord Buddha sort enlightment. In Sri Lanka Thuparamaya Bo-tree is the oldest tree in Sri Lanka that given enlightment to the visitors.

Mihinthale is close to Anuradapura is the first and the oldest wildlife sanctuary declared by the King Devanam Piyatissa on arrival of Arahant Mahinda.

Apart from the history, Tissawewa and Nuwarawewa tanks built by ancient kings are captivative, many farmers receive water from these tanks and many people bathe in these tanks, much kind of birds live in their natural habitat around this area. It is worth spending a day in Anuradapura.