Friday, July 31, 2020

5 things you should know about Anuradhapura

It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Anuradhapura is one of the country's eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which is not surprising. The city is considered one of the oldest and continuously inhabited cities in the world. The archaeological finds date from the tenth century BC. C.

It was a proud old capital
Today Anuradhapura is one of the capital cities in Sri Lanka in the north central province. In the distant past, it was an even more important city on the island. Anuradhapura was honored to be the capital of the Kingdom of Rajarata. In fact, it is believed that the city between the 4th century BC BC served as the capital. C. and the eleventh century.

Image Source - https://davidsbeenhere.com/2016/07/18/what-to-see-and-do-in-anuradhapura/

It is home to an old fig tree
One of the main attractions of Anuradhapura is an old fig tree. He is known as Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. This tree is said to be related to the legendary fig tree of the Buddha Gaya in India.

Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment in the shadow of the original tree of Sri Maha Bodhi in Buddha Gaya. The people of Sri Lanka believe that the Anuradhapura originated from a cut of the original tree, which dates from 288 BC. Chr. Was planted. C. This makes the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi over 2,000 years old.

It has two cleverly designed ponds
In the gardens of the Abhayagiri monastery are the 1,500-year-old twin ponds or Kuttam Pokuna. The irrigation system for ponds is quite advanced. It is often touted as one of the most advanced examples of hydraulic engineering that existed at the time.

King Aggabodhi commissioned the construction of these pools in the 6th century AD. C. for the monks of the monastery. The two ponds are approximately 130 feet and 90 feet long and are made of stone.

Has an old moonstone
In the Abhayagiri Monastery there is also the Sandakada Pahana, an old stone made of stone. What is a moonstone you ask It is a stone slab that is cut in a semicircle and has intricate carvings. Moonstones are usually placed at the entrance to Buddhist temples. This particular dates from the 1st century BC. C.

Take a close look at the lotus flower shown in the middle. Around him are many levels of animals carved into his face. Each of these creatures symbolizes a different worldly concept such as birth, aging and death. The lotus, however, represents nirvana. The moonstone is believed to symbolize the overcoming of karma, temptation, and the cycle of life and death. In Buddhism, this means the path to enlightenment and you will check a latest sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer.

Interested in the city and its many historical wonders? Take time to plan your itinerary to spend a few days there. Accommodation in Anuradhapura is easy to find and staying in the city doesn't have to cost much. If you're trying to find a modest budget, check out these Anuradhapura guest houses. They offer all the needs that are part of the Yoho promise. Namely things like WiFi, air conditioning, TV and breakfast.

There you can also visit other cities that are part of the cultural triangle.