Anuradhapura

The Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree grown from a cutting of the Bodhi tree in India, the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. It was brought to Sri Lanka in 288 BC by Sanghamitta Theri, daughter of Emperor Ashoka. It is the world's oldest recorded tree with a continuous documented history of over 2,300 years.

Pilgrims come every day to offer flowers, light oil lamps, and walk quietly around the golden railings. Visiting early in the morning or at dusk gives you the best atmosphere. Remove your shoes and dress modestly before entering.

• World's oldest recorded tree with documented history
• Direct descendant of Buddha's enlightenment tree
• Continuous worship for over 2,300 years
• Protected by golden railings and platforms

Ruwanwelisaya was built by King Dutugemunu around 140 BC. It stands 103 metres tall and is surrounded by a wall of 344 stone elephants, each one slightly different. The stupa contains sacred relics of the Buddha and is still visited daily by pilgrims.

Sunrise and sunset are the best times to visit. On full moon (Poya) days, thousands of pilgrims gather here in white clothing with lotus flowers. Walk clockwise around the stupa. This is the respectful way to visit.

• 103 meters tall with 292-meter circumference
• Contains sacred relics of Lord Buddha
• Surrounded by elephant wall with 344 elephants
• Restored to original glory in modern times

Jetavanaramaya was built in the 3rd century AD by King Mahasena. When new, it stood 122 metres (400 feet) tall, making it the third tallest structure in the ancient world after the pyramids of Giza. It was built using over 93 million bricks.

Today the upper section has eroded, so the stupa appears shorter, but it is still impressive. The surrounding area is quieter than the main sites. Archaeologists are still excavating the monastery complex that once surrounded it.

• Originally 122 meters tall (400 feet)
• Built with over 93 million bricks
• Contains Buddha's sash relic
• Ongoing archaeological excavations

Thuparamaya is the oldest dagoba in Sri Lanka, built in the 3rd century BC by King Devanampiya Tissa. It houses the right collarbone relic of the Buddha. The bell-shaped design became the template for Sri Lankan stupa architecture for centuries after.

The stupa has been restored several times over the centuries, each time reflecting the style of the era. It is surrounded by stone pillars that once held up a wooden roof, a feature unique to this dagoba.

• First dagoba built in Sri Lanka (3rd century BCE)
• Contains Buddha's right collarbone relic
• Original bell-shaped architectural prototype
• Unique stone pillar arrangement around the stupa
• Multiple historical restorations spanning centuries

Lovamahapaya, known as the "Brazen Palace", was a nine-storey monastery built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BC. It housed 1,000 monks and was covered with copper roof tiles, which is how it got its name. Only the 1,600 stone pillars remain today.

Each floor had specific uses, dining halls, meditation rooms, libraries, and living quarters. The building was destroyed and rebuilt several times. What you see now are the stone foundations of those reconstruction attempts.

• Originally nine stories tall with 1,600 stone pillars
• Housed 1,000 monks in its heyday
• Covered with copper tiles (hence "Brazen Palace")
• Advanced ancient engineering and architectural design
• Multiple reconstruction attempts throughout history

Abhayagiri Dagaba was built in the 1st century BC by King Valagamba. It stands 75 metres tall today, though it was originally about 115 metres high. The monastery complex that surrounded it covered 200 hectares and housed over 5,000 monks at its peak.

The monastery attracted Buddhist scholars from China, Korea, and other countries. It had hospitals, libraries, and dining halls. The stupa has a slightly different profile from the other dagobas, an elegant bell-shaped dome that helped spread this architectural style across Asia.Read more about Shapes of Stupa

• 75 meters tall with 200-hectare monastery complex
• Housed over 5,000 monks at its peak
• International center of Mahayana Buddhist learning
• Advanced facilities: hospitals, libraries, refectories
• Unique architectural style influencing Asian Buddhism

Mirisavetiya was built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century BC. The origin story is straightforward: the king once forgot to share his meal with the monks before eating, which broke Buddhist protocol. He built this stupa as an act of atonement.

The name "Mirisavetiya" means "the place where chilli was consumed". The stupa stands 60 metres tall and contains sacred relics. The surrounding ruins and stone carvings are worth taking time to look at.

• Built as royal atonement for forgotten Buddhist protocol
• 60 meters tall with beautiful proportions
• Contains sacred Buddhist relics
• Surrounded by ancient ruins and stone carvings
• Symbol of mindfulness in Buddhist practice

Lankarama Dagaba is smaller than the main stupas in the city. It was built by King Valagamba in the 1st century BC and stands 30 metres tall. It is set in a forested area away from the busier sites, making it quieter to visit.

What makes it distinctive is the arrangement of stone pillars in concentric circles around the base. These once held up wooden structures used by monks for meditation. It is one of the least crowded sites in Anuradhapura and a good place to simply sit and look.

• Unique circular stone pillar arrangement
• Intimate 30-meter forest monastery design
• Vajrayana architectural influence
• Peaceful forest setting for meditation
• Built by King Valagamba in 1st century BC