Explore Anuradhapura in deep - Buddhism, Culture, History & Art
By Lucky Lanka Expedition
10.010.0 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
includes taxes & fees
per adult
Features
- Free cancellation available
- 5h 30m
- Mobile voucher
- Instant confirmation
Overview
As both a major centre of Buddhism in the world & one of the oldest Kingdoms in the world, Anuradhapura is packed with its own unique Traditions, History & a mesmerising Culture. So it's literally difficult to study this massive city alone. So we recommend hiring Lucky as your Interpreter who meticulously reveals the significance of each site who himself a Culture Buff having a profound knowledge of Archaeology, History, Anthropology, Architecture, Fine arts & Folklores and most especifically who has a fantastic reading on Pure Buddhist Teachings. —— will add insights to help you make the most of your visit & go beyond the guidebooks with all ground knowledge of a Personal Interpreter.
And Don't hesitate to contact us for your Fully Customised Guided Day Tours, Half-Day Tours or Multi-Day Tours.
Our Tours available at Mihintale, Ritigala, Aukana, Polonnaruwa, Sigiriya, Dambulla, Kandy etc. or maybe help you planning your whole Itinerary in Sri Lanka.
Activity location
- Vessagiriya Ruins
- Anuradhapura-a-Kurunegala Road
- 50000, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Pothanagama Junction | 2 Kanuwa Junction
- D S Senanayake Mawatha
- Anuradhapura, North Central Province, Sri Lanka
Check availability
Personalised Guided Tour in English
- 5h 30m
- Opening hours: Sun 7:30 am-2:00 pm
- English
Customisable Tour Itinerary
Duration: 6 hours: Flexible Timing
Bottled Water / Refreshments
Language options: English
Price details
AU$36.02 x 1 AdultAU$36.02
Paid at activityAU$43.23
Total
includes taxes & fees
What's included, what's not
- Bottled Drinking Water
- Photo Stops
- Knowledge & Insights
- Professional Tour Guide
- Entry Admission to UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Private transport
Know before you book
- Public transport options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travellers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Activity itinerary
Vessagiriya Ruins
- 1h 30m
Welcome to Rajarata ! (The King’s County or The Land of Kings)
We will commence our day from Vessagiriya Forest Monastery, which is one of the two oldest Buddhist Monks living dwellings in the island.
At Vessagiriya, the guests will start to deep dive into the Ancient Sinhalese Civilisation nourished with Buddhism, Agriculture, Fine Arts, Architecture, Trades, International Relations, and Spellbinding Engineering Marvels and there you get an idea of how Anuradhapura looked like in its golden era from its very beginning.
Sakwala Chakraya (Star Gate)
- 30m
Hidden on the side of a boulder face at the Ran Masu Uyana (The Royal Goldfish Park) sandwiched between the Tissa Wewa and the Isurumuniya Rock Temple at Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka is a unique artefact of Ancient Sri Lanka which is locally known as “Bawa Chakraya” or the “Sakwala Chakraya.
Sri Maha Boodhi Temple
- 20m
The Sri Maha Bodhi Tree or The Sacred Bodhi Tree ( A Fig or Pipal Tree scientifically known as the Ficus Religiosa) is regarded as the first of the eight sacred places in Anuradhapura. This is recorded to be the right wing branch of the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya in India under which the Ascetic Siddhartha attained Enlightenment, and was sent by Emperor Ashoka through his beloved daughter, The Buddhist Nun Theri Sanghamitta, on request of Sinhalese King Devanampiyatissa in the 3rd century BCE. From this point onwards it came to be venerated by successive Kings, Monks, Nuns, and the Lay Buddhists since it is a living connection to the Gautama Buddha. Particularly, it is generally accepted that it would be the oldest human planted living tree in the world with the longest written records and at present nearly 2300 years old.
Lovamahapaya Brazen Palace
- 10m
To the north or the Sacred Bodhi Tree, we can witness a huge collection of standing granite pillars which has been identified as the dilapidated building of the ancient Brazen palace which was once served as the administrative Centre of the ancient Maha Vihara Monastery Complex constructed under the guidance of Great King Gamini Abhaya in 2nd Century BCE, a grand son of King Devanampiyatissa. It was a nine-storey building with 1000 different chambers. The name, Brazen Palce derives from the fact that its roof was thatched with copper tiles.
Ruwanwelisaya
- 20m
Ruwanveliseya stupa also known as the Ratnamali or as the Mahathupa ( Th Great Stupa) was constructed under the guidance of Great Kind Gamini Abhaya in the second century BC. The chronicles fantastically describes of the inauguration ceremony of this Stupa as great festival that was held in Anuradhapura with the participation of Invited Guests even from other countries as diplomats. However it was destroyed during Chola Invasion by 10th century AC and was restored the stupa to its original glory in the 12th century AC by King Parakkramabahu the greatest.
Then anyhow what we see today is the most recent restored form which was completed by Ratnamali Stupa Development Society in 1940, what was firstly initiated by Ven. Naranvita Sumanasara Thero in 1873 as he wanted to restore it to its former glory.
Twin Baths (Kuttam Pokuna)
- 10m
- Admission ticket not included
This picturesque pair of Ponds built on the low ground are undoubtedly exquisite specimens of land scape architecture and of course a wonderful hydraulic system showing not only the talents but the aesthetic sense of these magnificent people.
Janthagara (steam bath) building (ජන්ථාඝර ගොඩනැගිල්ල)
- 10m
- Admission ticket not included
This is really somthing like a modern steam bath, but this was not merely to enjoy steam swimming with warm water but of a well-developed sinhalese medication which performed in 4th century AC onwards. At there we can discuss how it was functioned and how Sick monks in Abhayagiriya University cured their skin deceases.
Main Refectory Of Abayagiri Monastery
- 10m
- Admission ticket not included
There we will again see a large granite trough in the shape of canoe stands with an amazing intaglio in the refectory premises of the Abhayagiriya Monastery. The Chinese monk Fa-hsien who was studying at the Abhayagiriya University in 5th Century AC recorded that there were 5000 Buddhist monks in the Monastery and this particular trough could hold sufficient rice for such a number.
Rathna Prasadaya & Guardstone - පොහොය ගෙය සහ මුරගල
- 10m
- Admission ticket not included
This is one of the finest works of art in Sri Lanka dates back to about the 8th Century AC. And this masterpiece is preciously showcasing the aesthetic sense of the ancient craftsmen and how incredibly they have put their knowledge, ability, talents, feelings into practice.
Eth Pokuna
- 15m
- Admission ticket not included
This is popularly known as the Eth-Pokuna to the locals or the Elephant Pond in English, situated to south-west of the Refectory is perhaps the largest Man made pond in the Asia that was built in the 3rd century AC. It is said that this is three times bigger than a modern day Olympic swimming pool. The miracle here is not only its enormous size but the underground conduits which still functions and have been supplying water to the pond from nearby reservoirs and in the south west corner we can note a cistern sluice which suggests that water was distributed to other relatively smaller ponds in the vicinity depicting the superb hydraulic engineering skills of the ancient Sinhalese.
Moonstone or Sandakada pahana
- 10m
- Admission ticket not included
The moonstone is another most beautiful and breathtaking creation of the ancient sculptor. It serves as a doormat at the foot of a flight of steps to a Buddhist shrine, but the sculptor transforms it into a work of art far excellence.
Location
Activity location
- Vessagiriya Ruins
- Anuradhapura-a-Kurunegala Road
- 50000, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Meeting/Redemption Point
- Pothanagama Junction | 2 Kanuwa Junction
- D S Senanayake Mawatha
- Anuradhapura, North Central Province, Sri Lanka
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