Should you be yearning for a history lesson unlike no other when in the Emerald Isle, then do make a beeline towards Anuradhapura and the following sites.
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
A sense of tranquility and wonder will flood your senses no sooner than you have arrived at the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. This magnificent tree believed to have sprouted from a cutting that was brought from India’s Bodh Gaya was protected by dynasties for many years and can be easily reached when one is in the city. A golden fence surrounds this famed Buddhist attraction which is often at the heart of pilgrimages to Sri Lanka.
Jetavanaramaya
The Jetavanaramaya is one of the largest monasteries in Anuradhapura and is frequented by devotees and travellers alike, especially during the monthly Poya holiday. Associated with legendary tales of the Buddha, this edifice currently serves as a refuge for well over 10,000 monks.
Ruwanwelisaya
The brainchild of King Dutugemunu, the Ruwanwelisaya – better known as the ‘Maha Stupa’ features a 338 feet tall work of art with a diameter of 951 feet. Scattered by well-paved courts and platforms in its immediate vicinity, the stupa is one of the largest of its kind and a ‘must visit’ whenever one chooses to holiday in Sri Lanka. Hotels such as those offered by Amaya Resorts & Spas can be made your base from where such glorious landmarks can be called by and experienced.
