Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is a major city in Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province, Sri Lanka and the capital of Anuradhapura District. Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an ancient Sri Lankan civilization. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka. It is believed that from the fourth century BC until the beginning of the 11th century AD it was the capital of the Sinhalese. During this period, it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles. Most of these impressive constructions stand to this day, having braved the winds of many a century. They proclaim to one generation after the next the remarkable finesse that marked the handiwork of the country’s craftsmen. In the city of Anuradhapura, things to do are many; you can visit places like Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya, Ruwanweliseya, Isurumuniya, Thuparamaya,Kuttam Pokuna (Twin Pounds) and Abhayagiri Vihara during a tour.

Agriculture was the chief occupation in Sri Lanka in the past just like it is now for many in rural areas. The tanks that the kings built to help the farmers thrive in the harsh conditions of the dry zone can still be seen today. Together the kings of Anuradhapura were able to create one of the most complex systems of irrigation of the world at its time.

One of the most remarkable events that occurred during the Anuradhapura Kingdom was the introduction of Buddhism to the island.