Colombo Trip Overview
This tour is basically focused on covering the largest ancient site “Anuradapura” (UNESCO World Heritage) as a one day tour excursion from Colombo. Would you like to know the history of the first established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka? Anuradhapura Kingdom was largely based on agriculture, the construction of irrigation works was a major achievement of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, ensuring water supply in the dry zone and helping the country grow mostly self-sufficient. 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. It was the third capital of the Kingdom of Rajarata, following the kingdoms of Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara.
Additional Info
Duration: 11 to 12 hours
Starts: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Colombo Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Colombo, Western Province, Sri Lanka
This tour is basically focused on covering the largest ancient site “Anuradapura” (UNESCO World Heritage) as a one day tour excursion from Colombo. Would you like to know the history of the first established kingdom in ancient Sri Lanka? Anuradhapura Kingdom was largely based on agriculture, the construction of irrigation works was a major achievement of the Anuradhapura Kingdom, ensuring water supply in the dry zone and helping the country grow mostly self-sufficient. 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. It was the third capital of the Kingdom of Rajarata, following the kingdoms of Tambapanni and Upatissa Nuwara.
Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
The main reason for the historical city of Anuradhapura to become a sacred city was the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. This sacred tree has been planted in the historical Maha Megha Vana Royal Park in Anuradhapura in the month of ‘Unduvap’ (December), 236 BC, according to the written facts. The sacred Bodhi sapling has been ceremonially brought here by Arahant Sanghamitta Maha Theree, under instructions of Arahant Mihindu Maha Thero. King Devanampiyatissa who ruled Sri Lanka in this period has planted this Bodhi tree with great pageantry in the Maha Megha Vana Royal Park dedicated to the venerable bhikkhus. The present age of the Anuradhapura Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is 2,247 years.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Ruwanwelisaya, Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
The Ruwanwelisaya is a stupa in Sri Lanka, considered a marvel for its architectural qualities and sacred to many Buddhists all over the world. Standing at a circumference of 370 feet and a height of 180 feet, Ruwanweliseya, the third largest stupa of Sri Lanka, is the focal point of the Maha Vihara, the first monastery of Sri Lanka. It is believed that a considerable number of relics of Buddha is enshrined in this glorious stupa, built in replicating the shape of a bubble of water. At the eastern entrance to the stupa is a statue of King Dutugamunu. According to the records made by Fa Hsien, the Chinese Buddhist monk, who toured Sri Lanka in the 5th century CE, Maha Vihara monastery housed no less than 3000 Buddhist monks.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Abayagiriya Stupa, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Abhayagiri stupa belongs to the aramic complex of Abhayagiriya Viharaya which was constructed in the reign of King Vattagamini Abaya (commonly known as King Valagamba) in the 1st Century BC. The outer square terrace is strewn with sand while the inner terrace is paved with stone. The premises of the Abhayagiri stupa encompassing the building and two terraces spread over an area of about 6 hectares. The four ponds at the four entrances set in the four cardinal directions were designed to gather the water falling onto the terrace. Abhayagiri stupa’s four vahalkadas or the front pieces in the four cardinal directions at the base of stupa are set facing the gateways of the square terrace.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Jethawanaramaya Stupa, Watawandana Road B341, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
The Jetavanaramaya is a stupa, located in the ruins of Jetavana monastery in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It height reaches to 122 metres and it was the world’s tallest stupa and the third tallest structure in the world when it was built by King Mahasena of Anuradhapura (273–301) and also the second tallest non-pyramidal buildings after Pharos (lighthouse) of Alexandria. The structure is no longer the tallest, but it is still the largest, with a base-area of 233,000 m2 (2,508,000 sq ft). Approximately 93.3 million bricks were used in its construction; the engineering knowledge behind the construction of this structure shows the significant development in the history of the island.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Dagoba of Thuparama, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Thuparamaya is the first Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka. Located in the sacred area of Anuradhapura. The Thuparamaya, built by King Devanapiyatissa, enshrines the sacred collar bone of the Buddha. This relic, a gift from India, stands testimony to the cordial relations enjoyed by the then Sri Lanka ruler. The columns around the stupa were a part of the walkway that supported a roof which covered the sacred edifice. Aesthetically, the interior of such a structure must have been the stunning expression of wood engineering and of the most skillful craftsmanship.
Duration: 30 minutes
