In the north central province lies the original heart of Sri Lanka’s civilisation. It was called the Land of The Kings. For 1500 years, starting around 250BC, dynasties, wars, invasions and religious missions to Asia as well as ambitious irrigation systems supported two great cities of Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa. But today these sites fall more into the categories of town than cities with populations of 56,000 and 106,000 respectively.
Our first destination Anuradhapura first became a capital in 380BC but it was under the reign of Devanampiya Tissa (247-207BC) that it first rose to great importance and Buddhism said to have arrived in the island in 247BC. For over 1000 years of its reign, Anuradhpura has seen number of South Indian invasions and region in general is dry and hot and even today depends heavily on seasonal monsoon rain for its agriculture.

Even with large number of tanks (image 1) constructed by its rulers in the ancient times (oldest constructed around 4th century BC), it is hard to imagine the survival of north central region as being the home to the capital of Sri Lanka, even though it did so for 1500 years. Today the region is the least densely populated region in the country and agriculture remains the main income.
Since the arrival of Buddisum in the island, successive rulers in Auradhapura period has devoted vast amount of energy and funds to course.

Whole of Anuradhapura’s ancient city is basically a monasterial site with temples, vast residential quarters (images 2-7), pools solely dedicated to the monks that resided in the city (images of twin ponds, 8 &9 Twin ponds, just two of large number of ponds that are found in the ancient city and these by far the best preserved). Over the last century a lot has been done to recover the ancient glory with the help of UNESCO but vast areas remain to be recovered.

The moonstone at the entrance to the King Mahasena’s palace, very popular with the locals. Mahasena (AD 276-303) is said to be the last great kings on Anuradhapura and credited with creating 16 tanks and a canal during his reign. (image 11).

Anuradhapura is one of the most important points of local pilgrimage and locals start arriving hear from the very young ages.

Time to get some breakfast on the way to Dambulla on the way south from Anuradhapura