Anuradhapura was the first ancient kingdom and capital of Sri Lanka. It prospered from about 300BC until 1100AD.
By 500AD, 5000 monks lived here. The scale of this UNSECO World Heritage listed site is incredible. We spent hours exploring the stupas, Buddhist shrines and monuments.
The biggest of the white Stupas at Anuradhapura
Bride and groom in traditional wedding dress
Moonstone at the bottom of steps shows the endless life and reincarnation cycle
Steps are guarded by dwarves
The lion, a symbol of strength, is on the Sri Lankan flag
Elaborately carved guard stone holds the steps in place
Buddha carved from a single stone was once covered in gold
Giant reclining Buddha
Lady making delicious banana rotis on a makeshift stove
The world’s oldest tree – from a branch of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment
Imagine 5000 red robed monks coming here to bathe
120 meters tall and containing almost 100 million bricks, this is the world’s largest brick building: the 3rd largest structure in the ancient world, after the pyramids