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Buddhist Places in Sri Lanka Share

Anuradhapura - Sri Lanka
According to chronicles, this ancient town Anuradhapura in the north central province of Sri Lanka was established by one Anurada an accompanying minister of King Vijaya who settled down in Sri Lanka as far as 2600 years hence.
Basawakkulama wewa (Lake) at Anuradhapura is believed to be the first reservoir built in Sri Lanka by King Pandukabaya during his reign. (455 B.C. - 400 B.C. in Sri Lanka History)
For the first time Buddhism was introduced to Sri Lanka during King Devanampiyatissa(First Buddhist King in Sri Lanka) period (250 B.C.-210 B.C. in Sri Lanka History) through thera Mahinda – the son of  Empire Ashoka of India.
Thereafter many major events connected with Buddhism took place here such as the planting of a sapling of the Sacred Bo Tree brought to Sri Lanka from India, receiving the sacred tooth relic, putting up many dagabas (pagoda), temples, and monasteries etc, all for the propagation of Buddhism in Sri Lanka.

King Datugemunu is the one who unified Sri Lanka. This was partially ruled by other Tamil kings from South India.

The Major places worshipped by Buddhist are

1. Sri Maha Bodhi sit being the world’s oldest historical living tree placed in Anuradhapura  (Sacred Bo Tree)
   
   
3. Ruwanveliseya was built by king Dutugemunu after defeating King Elara. Many renovations and annexation were done by other kings who ruled Anuradhapura at a later stage.
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6. Thuparamaya is supposed to be the first dagaba(pagoda) built in Sri Lanka during the reign of King Devanampiyatissa. Though this was completely destroyed by the Tamil invaders at a later stage, it was again reconstructed by king Agbo II . The dagaba to the present condition was brought about in 1862 A.D. only.
   
   
7. Lovamahapaya or the Brazen Palace with storey’s 400ft in length. It is supposed to be covered with Bronze tiles in ancient times. There are 40 rows each consisting of 40 stone pillars over which the proper palace was resting firmly. This too was the work of king Dutugemunu during his reign there.
   
   
8. Abhayagiri Dagaba was built by King Valagamba around 103 A.D. at a location where a temple of Niganthas had been before. It was done in retaliation for defeating him once before and driving him out of Anuradhapura by Niganthas that he had built this dagaba at the same location. A library too had been established for the benefit of the bikkhus (Buddhist Monks) of Sri Lanka at that time.
9. Jethavanaramaya was constructed by King Mahasen (273 A.D. - 361 A.D.). This is supposed to be the world’s largest stupa with a height of 400 ft part of Lord Buddha’s sash (belt) is enshrined here.
10. Mirisaveti Stupa – King Dutugemunu (161 B.C. – 137 B.C) built this stupa after defeating king Elara. Though this is not in the original form due to negligence for quite some time, It was renovated to the present condition by the cultural Triangle found of Sri Lanka.
11. Lankaramaya – A sheltering structure seems to have exited right round this old stupa judging by the stone pillars left around the place. King Valagamba had built this at Galhebakada Village.

Other places of interest in Sri Lanka

• Isurumuniya with rock carvings. The most prominent being that of the lovers.Magul Uyana has many ponds of varying sizes, the largest being around 30ft x 55 ft.Vessagiri has 23 rock caves where the oldest rock inscriptions written in Brahmin script could be found.Rathna Prasadaya was a Monastery in ancient times of King Kavanitissa Period (167 A.D. - 186 A.D.)Queen’s palace – Located close to Rathna Prasadaya has the largest and the most beautiful moonstones in Anuradhapura area.
  Dakkhina Stupa – has some significance as the tomb of King Dutugemunu. It had been confirmed by the ashes and bones found there.Sela Cetiya – too has guard stones and moonstones to adore the place.Naga vihara – is somewhat different in shape as it is square and built with bricks. Clay caskets too had been found there in an excavation expedition done recently by Archaeology Department of Sri Lanka.Kiribath Vehera – The circumference at the base is 425 ft and nothing much is known about the origin of this so far.
• Kuttam Pokuna Two ponds of different length 132 ft & 91 ft with a width of 51ft, but separated by a lawn of 18ft width. The average depth is around 15ft in both. An aqueduct is also found to augment them and empty same, both located underground. The sides are with stone slabs cut is neatly to decorate same length together with stepping stones to use same conveniently.
• Samadhi statue of Lord Buddha is at Mahamevuna Park. This statue molded in granite is in the sitting position in meditation posture with crossed legs and palms placed one over the other up turned and resting on the lap.
• Aukana Buddha statue – Though away from Anuradhapura it is situated in the Anuradhapura district of Sri Lanka. This is one of the largest statues of Sri Lanka situated facing the reservoir Kalawewa. It is believed to be the work of King Datusena – The builder of Kalawewa from where water was conveyed through a canal 54 meters long to augment Tissawewa at Anuradhapura. This statue is 42 ft in height and hewn out of solid rock from a massive rock out crop. The statue is left connected to the main rock only by a thin strip of rock between the two surfaces.

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