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What Are The Best Places To See In The Sacred City Of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka?
BY Sibashree Apr 21, 2026
Anuradhapura is a part of the Golden Triangle of Sri Lanka along with the Dambulla Royal Cave Enclave, Polonnaruwa, and Sigiriya Rock Fortress. Furthermore, the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built from the “cutting of a Bodhi Tree” or the “Tree of Enlightenment.” Before 993, when it was abandoned due to an invasion, it was the political and religious capital of Ceylon, the previous name for Sri Lanka. Also, if Jaffna attracted me with its Tamil Culture and Hindu Temples, Anuradhapura was a great calling because it was the first place to adopt Buddhism outside India, the country I belong to. Moreover, Jetavanaramaya, the early 4th-century BCE Stupa, was once the “third-largest man-made building in the world,” with an original height of 122 meters. However, while the Jetavanaramaya Stupa continues to evoke awe with its grandeur and mystery, the other ruins and remains of Anuradhapura also wait to tell you the history and cultural richness of the region. So, here is a brief discussion on the places I visited in Anuradhapura. What Are The Places To Visit In Anuradhapura? I was staying in a guest house near the Sacred City of Anuradhapura. I rented a bicycle from my guest house for LKR 500, and I took the back route as the staff in the guesthouse guided me. Off the main road, the cycling experience was beautiful, and I loved spotting the roaming peacocks and little children waving at me. Beyond the charming views and ambiance, I noticed one more thing. In Anuradhapura, the past and the present walk side by side. There have been no evictions of the locals in the name of preserving or promoting the ancient ruins and remains in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nevertheless, after talking to the local children for a while, I reached the entrance of the Anuradhapura Sacred City. The entry fee was around 9500 LKR or INR 2800. However, remember that the ticket includes archaeological sites such as Jetavanaramaya, Abhayagiriya, Ruwanwelisaya, and Thuparamaya. So, if you want to explore other sites such as the Isurumuniya Viharaya, you will need to pay separate fees. Nevertheless, these are the places I visited in Anuradhapura. “This sacred city was established around a cutting from the 'tree of enlightenment', the Buddha's fig tree, brought there in the 3rd century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of an order of Buddhist nuns. Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that flourished for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993. Hidden away in dense jungle for many years, the splendid site, with its palaces, monasteries, and monuments, is now accessible once again.” - UNESCO World Heritage Convention. 1. Abhayagiri Vihara Stupa Complex The Abhayagiri Vihara Gargantuan Stupa is magnificent, and the brick stupa creates a contrast against the bright blue sky and the lush greenery of Anuradhapura. King Vattagamani Abhaya or Valagamba founded this Stupa in the first century BCE. This prominent center of Mahayana Buddhism remains an active place of worship. Also known as the Northern Monastery or Uttara Vihara, it changed the course of Buddhism in Sri Lanka by deviating from the monolithic tradition of Theravada Buddhism. Moreover, the Abhayagiri Vihara Stupa is the first Stupa in Sri Lanka to house the tooth relic of Buddha. Also, the Abhayagiri Dagoba or Stupa at the epicenter of the Abhayagiri Vihara Complex is one of the largest stupas in Sri Lanka. The Structure And Architecture Of The Abhayagiri Vihara Apart from the Stupa or Dagoba, most parts of the Abhayagiri Vihara are in ruins. There were living houses for the monks and students, libraries, dinner halls, and meeting halls surrounding the Stupa. Here is a detailed overview of the structures as I saw them. However, the heat will be scorching, and you will find langur monkeys roaming around. So, try to be there by 6 AM, when the gates open, or after 4 PM. The Sacred City remains open till 8 PM. However, it will take you around an entire day if you want to explore the major ruins of the Anuradhapura Sacred City. The Dagoba Or The Stupa The Stupa or Dagoba in the Abhayagiri Vihara is in a well-preserved condition. The massive bell-shaped structure of the stupa has a height of around 120 meters, and at its widest, the circumference is close to 350 meters. The dome, made of brick and lime mortar, has four entrances, and you will find a Devatakotuva or a cylindrical spire and Hataraskotuva or a square-shaped structure as the crowns of the Stupa. Image Houses, Refectories, And Sub Shrines I saw the remains of various refectories, image houses, living complexes, and sub-shrines around the stupa. Among the smaller stupas, the Indikatu Seya and Silasobbhakandaka Cetiya are the most common. Meeting Halls The remains of the meeting halls or Uposathagharas have been found in the complex. These Uposathagharas were multi-storied, and Ratnaprasadaya or the jewel mansion was most prominent among them. Congregation Hall The Sannipatasala, or the congregation hall near the southern entrance of the stupa, is the largest hall in the complex. The image of Nagaraja, or the king of snakes, or Virupaksha, the protector of the Western Direction, was found in this congregation hall, which is now in ruins. You can see this image at the Abhayagiri Museum. Abhisheka Mandapa Or Anointing Pavilion The Abhisheka Mandapa had a stepped entrance, and people believe it to be the place where the statues of Lord Buddha and other Bodhisattvas were consecrated. Some even consider this the bathing house or Snanghara. Stone Slabs Many stone slabs with inscriptions in Nagari Script have been found in this site. Again, there are two moon stones in Anuradhapura, and one was found at the Queen’s Pavilion and the other at Mahasena’s Palace. These moon stones are significant features of Buddhist stupas or shrines, as these semi-circular stone structures depict the Buddhist Samasara. The Dining Room The dining room or hall of the Abhayagiri Vihara has a stone-clad trough, and it is ideal for storing or serving rice that could feed 5000 monks. Furthermore, there was a dining area, hearths, underground channels, grinding stones, and a sundial in the site Faxian or Fa-Hien described as the dining hall. The dining hall also has two courtyards. The Bodhi Tree Shrine The Bodhi Tree Shrine, or the Bodhighara is a subsidiary shrine of the Abhayagiri Stupa. As a token of Buddha’s enlightenment, Sanghamitta, a Buddhist nun from India, brought saplings of the Bodhi Tree. She planted the saplings in Abhayagiri, and many patrons built small aediculae-like shrines around these trees. These sub-shrines had images of Lord Buddha in a meditative or Samadhi posture and his footprints. Moreover, excavation of Buddha statues took place in the Bodhighara sites, and one of them is from the 3rd century BCE, and these resemble the sculptures of the great Gupta dynasty in India. You can visit the Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum if you want to see these Buddha statues. The Ponds The tanks and reservoirs near the living quarters were the main sources of water for the complex. However, water in these reservoirs or tanks came from the Kuttam Pokana or Twin Ponds to the far east of the Stupa. Moreover, these rectangular ponds were built by Aggabodhi I in the 6th or 7th century CE, and they have shallow ridges, and the inner walls are made of polished stone. However, for me, the most fascinating thing was the stone slab with the motif of a hooded cobra. Also, this hooded cobra or Naga establishes a deep connection with India, as Nagas and water have deep connections in Indian mythology. As I walked further, I came across the Elephant Pond or Eth Pokuna. It is the largest artificial tank in Sri Lanka, and it is the main water supply for all the tanks and reservoirs in the Vihara Complex. Here also, I noticed a depiction of a hooded cobra on a stone slab. At the end of exploring the Abhayagiri Vihara Stupa Complex, I must tell you that you must read a little about the place before a visit. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you to catch up when the guide shares the details. 2. Jethawanaramaya Stupa You will also find the Jetavanaramaya Stupa in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura. It was one of the largest man-made structures in the world, and it ranked only after the Great Pyramids of Giza. The original height of this structure was 122 meters, and after restoration, the height is now 71 meters. The stupa, built by King Mahasena in the 3rd Century AD, is a part of a large Jetavana Vihara complex that used to house around 200 monks. Also, like the Abhayagiri Vihara, it has a brick architecture. This once again indicates how ancient Anuradhapura was a hub of brick production. In fact, Ruwanwelisaya, the most sacred stupa of the country inside the Anuradhapura Sacred City Complex, also had a brick architecture. However, for the recent restoration, they used cement in the outer layer of the stupa. Moreover, massive excavation works have taken place in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura, and the gold panels showing the imagery of the Bodhisattva and the partial inscriptions of the Prajñāpāramitā Sutra. Now, Prajñāpāramitā Sutra is the foundational text of Mahayana Buddhism. This shows how the Jethawanaramaya Stupa was the hub of different Buddhist thoughts and schools. However, you can see these gold panels now at the Colombo Museum. Also, I came to know about another fascinating thing from a monk here, that the stupa used to have a diamond in the crown. It used to turn aside lightning during the monsoon season. 3. The Gleaming White Ruwanwelisaya Stupa The Ruwanwelisaya Stupa is most famous among the locals and followers of Buddhism. Now, unlike the Ritigala Forest Monastery, the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa or the other stupas in the complex are live hubs of Buddhist practices. Also, the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa is especially famous for housing the remains of Lord Buddha. Originally, the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa was much smaller than the Jethawanaramaya Stupa. However, thanks to continuous maintenance, it now stands at a height of 100 meters. Now, this was my experience in the ancient ruins of Anuradhapura. If you want to explore more, you can visit the Kaudulla National Park, at a distance of less than 2 hours, and the Hurulu Eco Park, at a distance of 1 hour and 50 minutes. Location And How To Reach Anuradhapura? Anuradhapura City is located on the banks of the Malwathu Oya. It is the capital of the central-west region of Sri Lanka and the district of Anuradhapura. Anuradhapura is a 4-hour journey from Colombo and Kandy. Once I explored the top attractions in Kandy, I took a minivan, which cost me LKR 1600. Now, you will also get private and public buses. However, I had luggage and wanted to keep the schedule flexible. So, I chose the minivan. Things To Remember For A Trip To Anuradhapura The Sun is merciless in Anuradhapura, even if you visit the Sacred City in winter. It becomes unbearable past 11 AM. So, you have to really start early. Also, carry water and wear full-sleeve clothes to maintain the dignity of the place and protect your skin from the Sun. Moreover, as I have mentioned, visiting a place like Anuradhapura demands preparation. So, study well and have basic ideas about these stupas beforehand.
