The day started early morning from Colombo to head to see the first kingdom of Sri Lanka, Anuradhapura. The roads beyond the main city are wide and bordered with trees, shrubs and paddy fields.
Anuradhapura is famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization.The city, now a Unesco wolrd heritage site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's
North Central Province on the banks of the historic Malvatu Oya.
From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²)
The
Ruwanwelisaya stupa considered a marvel for its architectural qualities was built by King Dutugamunu.It is also known as
Mahathupa,
Swarnamali Chaitya and
Rathnamali Dagaba. The stupa is one of the world's tallest monuments, standing at 300 feet (91 m) and with a circumference of 950 ft (290 m).
The height of the golden pinacle and the crystal is 25 feet. It was placed in 1940.
The shrine room at Sri Maha bodiya.
