Anuradhapura District

The Eternal City of Kings and Faith

Anuradhapura, the sacred heart of Sri Lanka, stands as a luminous beacon of ancient civilization, a city where time bows to the weight of history. Once the first capital of the island, this UNESCO World Heritage Site breathes life into the stories of kings, monks, and pilgrims who shaped its glorious destiny over millennia.

The iconic Sri Maha Bodhi, a sacred fig tree said to have been grown from a cutting of the very tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment, exudes an aura of divine serenity. Pilgrims kneel in reverence, their whispered prayers carried on the breeze, as the tree’s branches stretch skyward like an eternal blessing.

The Ruwanwelisaya Stupa, a colossal dome of pure white, pierces the heavens with majestic grandeur, embodying the devotion and engineering brilliance of ancient Sinhala kings. Its shimmering surface glows under the sun, a timeless monument to faith.

Wandering through the ruins of palaces, monastic complexes, and stone-carved pools like the Kuttam Pokuna, you step into a world where art, spirituality, and power converge seamlessly.

Anuradhapura is not just a city, it is the soul of Sri Lanka. Here, beneath the shade of ancient stupas and weathered stone, the past lives on, whispering tales of glory, devotion, and eternity.

Capital


Colombo

Time difference

GMT +5 1/2 hours

Currency

Srilanka rupees

Flying time to destination

Colombo 10 1/2 hours

Languages

Sinhalese, Tamil and English are also widely spoken,

Recommended Hotels in Anuradhapura

Nearby Destinations you might like