Ruwanweli Maha Seya - Anuradhapura

Ruwanwelisaya is the one of the world tallest stupa, located in sacred city of Anuradhapura. It was built by king Dutugamunu (140 B.C).It is standing at 103 m (338 feet)with circumference of  290 m (950 feet)  Ruwanwelisaya is one of the 8 places of veneration in the Anuradhapura.  The Buddha's relics has been deposited in this sacred stupa.  Ruwanwalisaya is called various names such as Swarnamali Chaitya, Mahathupa, Suvarnamali Mahaceti. 

Today, after incurring much damage from invading Indian forces, it rises 55m, considerably less than its original height; nor is its form the same as the earlier ‘bubble’ shape. Its lowest circumference is usually wrapped in a strip of dazzlingly coloured cloth.

History of Anuradhapura

In 543 BC, prince Vijaya (543–505 BC) arrived in Sri Lanka, having been banished from his homeland in India. He eventually brought the island under his control and established himself as king. After this, his retinue established villages and colonies throughout the country. One of these was established by Anuradha, a minister of King Vijaya, on the banks of a stream called Kolon and was named Anuradhagama.

In 377 BC, King Pandukabhaya (437–367 BC) made it his capital and developed it into a prosperous city. Anuradhapura (Anurapura) was named after the minister who first established the village and after a grandfather of Pandukabhaya who lived there. The name was also derived from the city's establishment on the auspicious asterism called Anura. Anuradhapura was the capital of all the monarchs who ruled the country during in the Anuradhapura Kingdom, with the exception of Kashyapa I (473–491), who chose Sigiriya to be his capital. The city is also marked on Ptolemy's world map.

Sri Maha Bodhi - Anuradhapuraya

Rich in historical value, the holy city of Anuradhapura is where the sacred tree Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya is found. It is revered for being the southern branch of the ancient Sri Maha Bodhiya at Bodhi Gaya in India , which provided shelter for Lord Buddha as he attained enlightenment. The sacred bodhi tree is central to Anuradhapura in both a spiritual and physical sense. It was grown from a cutting brought from Buddhgaya in India and is said to be the oldest historically authenticated tree in the world; tended by an uninterrupted succession of guardians for over 2200 years, even during the periods of Indian occupation.

Today thousands of devotees come to make offerings, particularly on poya (full-moon) days and weekends. Sunset is a magical time to visit.