Starting our tour at the temple in Anuradhapura was a perfect way to dive into the city’s rich history. As the first capital of Sri Lanka and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Anuradhapura offers so much to explore that it’s wise to plan ahead. If it were up to me, I would have tried to see everything, likely reaching our hotel at midnight. Thankfully, local experts organized by Evaneos handled the itinerary, guiding us through significant spots like the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
After leaving the temple, we passed by a heap of used clay pots, heated by the sun to feel like we were walking near a furnace, and then headed to Ruwanwelisaya. This stupa is one of the world’s tallest monuments, but more on its significance later. We also visited Lovamahapaya, also known as the bronze palace. I felt proud for remembering the names without jotting anything down!
Strolling along the walkways, we were amazed at how well-preserved the city is, considering it’s over 3,000 years old and one of the oldest inhabited cities worldwide. Even from afar, Ruwanwelisaya stood out and was quite an impressive sight. We managed to take a quick “We were here!” photo.
We stopped by the monastic ruins, where people used to bring food for the monks. Before entering Ruwanwelisaya, remember to take off your shoes and cover your legs, so bring a sarong or loose trousers to slip over shorts. Socks are useful if you don’t want to walk barefoot, as Georgia quickly realized when the ground got hot.
In front of the stupa, a monk stood with a sign reminding visitors not to offer money but to feel free to observe and take photos. His commitment, likely in standing meditation, was admirable, especially under the blazing sun.
The tradition is to walk around Ruwanwelisaya in a clockwise direction, as it’s believed that the Buddha blesses you from your right arm. Smaller stupas surround the main structure, which gives a real sense of Ruwanwelisaya’s immense size compared to the people nearby.
Just as we were about to leave, a vibrant procession of villagers arrived for a post-harvest ceremony. They carried a long piece of orange fabric, wrapping it around the stupa, so we decided to stay and watch the ceremony unfold.
After spending some time there, we moved on before sunset, saying goodbye to Ruwanwelisaya and a cute puppy, headed to our next stop. This site is particularly meaningful as it’s home to meditation caves for the first monks in Sri Lanka, given to them by the King, who was their family too. These caves also feature engravings of the old Sri Lankan alphabets.
We ended our day by wandering slightly off the main track and exploring the countryside, which was a lovely way to wrap up the evening.