Starting our tour at the temple in Anuradhapura was the perfect way to kick things off and get a sense of why this city is so important to Sri Lanka’s history. After all, it’s the first capital and a UNESCO World Heritage site. However, there’s so much to see in Anuradhapura that you really need to plan ahead to figure out what you can fit in and what you might need to skip.
If it were up to me, I would have tried to see everything and probably ended up at our hotel around midnight. Thankfully, local experts organized by Evaneos took care of the planning, guiding us through the most significant parts of this ancient city. A prime example is our visit to Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
After exploring the temple, we walked past a huge pile of used clay pots that had become scorching hot under the sun, feeling like we were next to a furnace. Our next stop was Ruwanwelisaya, a majestic stupa that’s one of the tallest monuments in the world.
We continued on to Lovamahapaya, also known as the bronze palace, feeling quite pleased with myself for remembering all the names without jotting anything down! As we strolled along the walkways, it was astonishing to see how well-preserved the city is, considering it’s over 3,000 years old and one of the world’s oldest inhabited cities.
From afar, Ruwanwelisaya is truly a sight to behold. At the monastic ruins, we learned this was where people brought food for the monks, with a specific area dedicated to placing the rice.
Before entering Ruwanwelisaya, you need to take off your shoes and cover your legs, so remember to bring a sarong or loose trousers. Socks are also a good idea; you can walk barefoot, but Georgia eventually had to wear socks as the ground got quite hot.
In front of the stupa, a monk stood with a sign saying not to offer money and that it was okay to observe and take photos. He was simply fulfilling his duties with remarkable focus, likely practicing standing meditation under the scorching sun.
You have to walk around the Ruwanwelisaya stupa in a clockwise direction, as it’s believed the Buddha blesses you from your right arm. There are smaller stupas surrounding the main one, adding to the grandeur.
The sheer size of Ruwanwelisaya is awe-inspiring when you compare it to the people nearby. Nearby, monkeys were up to their typical antics. Just as we were leaving, we heard loud clamoring and chants, discovering that a group of villagers had arrived for a post-harvest ceremony at the stupa. They brought a long piece of orange fabric to carry around and wrap around the stupa.
Intrigued, we decided to stick around a bit longer to witness the ceremony. Eventually, as the sun began to set, we bid farewell to Ruwanwelisaya and a delightful little puppy, heading to our next destination.
Our next stop held particular significance as the meditation caves for the first monks in Sri Lanka. These caves were gifted to the monks by the King, who were also members of the Royal family, and feature engravings of old Sri Lankan alphabets.
We ended our day by venturing into the countryside, a lovely way to wrap up the evening.