Anuradhapura Guided Day Tour of Ancient Ruins from Colombo

Abhayagiri Monastery is situated in the ancient city of Anuradhapura and is credited to King Vattagamini Abaya, popularly known as King Walagamba (103 BCE, 89-77 BCE). Proof has been found that a Jain temple existed on this land in the 5th century BCE during the rule of King Pandukabaya (437-367 BCE).

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a historical sacred bo tree (Ficus religiosa) in the Mahamewuna Garden in historical city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. This is believed to be a tree grown from a cutting of the southern branch from the historical sacred bo tree, Sri Maha Bodhi, which was destroyed during Emperor Ashoka the Great time, at Buddha Gaya in India, under which Siddhartha Gautama (Buddha) attained Enlightenment. The Buddhist nun Sangamitta Maha Theri, a daughter of Indian Emperor Ashoka, in 288 BC, brought the tree cutting to Sri Lanka during the reign of Sinhalese King Devanampiya Tissa. At more than 2,300 years old, it is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date

This is a Stupa in Anuradhapura District in North Central Province of Sri Lanka, considered a marvel for its architectural qualities and sacred to many Buddhists all over the World. It was built by the great King Dutugemunu (164 BC – 140 BC), who became lord of all Sri Lanka after a war in which the Chola King Elara, was defeated. The Mahathupa or Ruwanweliseya is known by several other names as well. It is also called Maha Stupa / Mahathupa (the great Dagoba), Rathnamali Stupa / Rathnamali Dagaba, Suvarnamali Mahaceti (in Pali) and Swarnamali Stupa / Swarnamali Chaitya has been the most adored, most venerated among the great ancient Stupas (Dagobas) of Sri Lanka. The name Mahaseya or Mahathupa (the Great Tope) was used in the Golden Age of Anuradhapura. Ruwanweliseya Stupa is one of the “Solosmasthana”, the 16 sacred religious locations in Sri Lanka and the "Atamasthana".

The Meghagiri Vihara is now commonly known as Isurumuniya Vihara or Isurumuniya and lies near Tissa Wewa of Anuradhapura. But the original Isurumuni Vihara is located a few hundred meters away and is now called Vessagiri Vihara. When this viharaya was discovered it would have been thought to be the Isurumuniya mentioned in ancient texts even though no inscriptions have been found. Later when archaeologists found the real Isurumuni Viharaya a few hundred meters away (with inscriptions identifying its name), the name Isurumuniya was already taken and the site was called Vessagiriya.

More than 2100 years old, Mirisawetiya is one of the most ancient Dagabas in Sri Lanka . Built by the great king Dutugemunu, this Maginficant Structure is a must see for any visitor to the sacred city of Anuradhapura .

It is believed that the great king Dutugemunu made many wishes here that have come true during his lifetime.

King Dutugemunu built it as a Dagoba of the “Mahavihara” fraternity but as the monks started living there, it sees that Mirisawetiya developed as a separate monastery.