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Coordinates: 8°21′0″N 80°23′7″E

Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura (Sinhala: අනුරාධපුරය, romanized: Anurādhapuraya;
Tamil: அனுராதபுரம், romanized: Aṉurātapuram) is a major city in
Anuradhapura
අනුරාධපුර
Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central Province, Sri Lanka அனுராதபுரம்
and the capital of Anuradhapura District. Anuradhapura is one of the
City
ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of an
ancient Sinhala civilization. It was the third capital of the kingdom of
Rajarata, following the kingdoms of Tambapanni and Upatissa
Nuwara.

The city, now a World Heritage site, was the centre of Theravada
Buddhism for many centuries. The city lies 205 km (127 mi) north of
the current capital of Colombo in the North Central Province, on the
banks of the historic Malvathu River. It is one of the oldest
continuously inhabited cities in the world and one of the eight World
Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.
Kuttam Pokuna

Contents
Urban Area
Buddhism and Anuradhapura
Modern era
European discovery
Excavations
Eight Great Places of Veneration in Anuradhapura -
Atamasthana
Other structures

Demographics
Transportation
References
External links

Urban Area
Location in Sri Lanka
Protohistoric Iron Age Coordinates: 8°21′0″N 80°23′7″E

Although according to historical records the city was founded in the Country Sri Lanka
5th century BC, the archaeological data put the date as far back as the Province North Central
10th century BC.[1] Province
District Anuradhapura

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Buddhism and Anuradhapura Established 4th century BC

Anuradhapura was a major intellectual centre for early Theravāda Government
Buddhism, home to revered Buddhist philosophers including • Type Municipal Council
Buddhaghosa.[2] Area
• City 7,179 km2
During the late Anuradhapura period, the royal family and nobility of
(2,772 sq mi)
Sri Lanka strongly supported Buddhism. As such, they frequently
• Urban 36 km2 (14 sq mi)
commissioned works of art and donated these items to Buddhist
temples. In return, the temple and local Buddhist community
Elevation 81 m (266 ft)
supported the king's rule. Art works featuring depictions of Population (2012)
Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva of Mercy and Compassion, became • City 50,595
increasing popular.[3] • Density 2,314/km2
(5,990/sq mi)
Demonym(s) Anuradhians
Modern era
Time zone UTC+5:30 (Sri Lanka
Standard Time Zone)
European discovery Postal code 50000
The area was uninhabited for many centuries, but the local population
UNESCO World Heritage Site
remained aware of the ruins. In Robert Knox's 1681 An Historical
Relation of the Island Ceylon, he wrote: "At this City of Anurodgburro Official name Sacred City of
is a Watch kept, beyond which are no more people that yield obedience Anuradhapura
Criteria Cultural: ii, iii, vi
to the King of Candy".[4] In 1821, John Davy wrote that:
Reference 200 (http://whc.unesc
"Anooradapoora, so long the capital of Ceylon, is now a small mean
o.org/en/list/200)
village, in the midst of a desert. A large tank, numerous stone pillars,
Inscription 1982 (6th Session)
two or three immense tumuli, (probably old dagobahs,) are its
principal remains. It is still considered a sacred spot; and is a place of pilgrimage."[5]

Excavations
Various excavations have taken place at the site, beginning in 1884-86 by Stephen Montagu Burrows.[6]

According to carbon dating, the ruins excavated were from the 10th century BC.

Eight Great Places of Veneration in Anuradhapura - Atamasthana

'* Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi * Ruwanwelisaya * Thuparamaya * Lovamahapaya *
Abhayagiri Dagaba * Jetavanarama * Mirisaveti Stupa * Lankarama

Abhayagiri Dagoba in
Other structures Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Isurumuniya
Magul Uyana
Vessagiri
Rathna Prasadaya

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Queen's Palace
Dakkhina Stupa
Sela Cetiya
Naka Vihara
Kiribath Vehera
Kuttam Pokuna
Samadhi Statue
Toluwila Statue
Ranmasu Uyana

Demographics Abhayagiriya Monastery with

Samadhi Statue, Kuttam Pokuna
(twin pond) and moonstone.
Ethnicity Population % Of Total

Sinhalese 51,775 91.42

Sri Lankan Moors 3,825 6.75

Sri Lankan Tamils 850 1.50

Indian Tamils 45 0.08

Other (including Burgher, Malay) 137 0.24

Total 56,632 100

Source: www.statistics.gov.lk (http://www.statistics.gov.lk/PopHouSat/PDF/Population/p9p8%20Ethnicity.pdf) -

Census 2001

Transportation
Anuradhapura is served by railway and highways. The Northern railway line connects Anuradhapura with Colombo,
Jaffna, and Kankesanthurai. Anuradhapura railway station is the city's rail gateway, with major services, such as the
Yal Devi, Uttara Devi stopping there.

There are number of bus routes passing through Anuradhapura from Colombo to northern province . Some of them are
04, 15, 57, 87 etc.

Anuradhapura is a central city in Sri Lanka. It is directly connected by road to a large number of major cities and towns
on the island. By road, it is connected to Vavuniya, Dambulla, Matale, Puttalam, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Kurunegala and
Kandy.

References
1. Deraniyagala, SU. The Prehistory of Sri Lanka, Vol II, Department of Archaeological Survey, Colombo: 1992.
p435.
2. Buddhaghosa. (1999). The path of purification : Visuddhimagga (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/44927676).
Ñāṇamoli, Bhikkhu, -1960. (1st BPE Pariyatti ed.). Seattle, WA: BPE Pariyatti Editions. ISBN 1928706002.
OCLC 44927676 (https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/44927676).
3. Birmingham Museum of Art (2010). Birmingham Museum of Art : guide to the collection (http://artsbma.org).

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[Birmingham, Ala]: Birmingham Museum of Art. p. 57. ISBN 978-1-904832-77-5.

4. Robert Knox (1681), Historical Relation (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/14346/14346-h/14346-h.htm#d0e7294)
chapter 2, full quote "There are besides these already mentioned, several other ruinous places that do still retain
the name of Cities, where Kings have Reigned, tho now little Foot steps remaining of them. At the North end of
this Kings Dominions is one of these Ruinous Cities, called Anurodgburro, where they say Ninety Kings have
Reigned, the Spirits of whom they hold now to be Saints in Glory, having merited it by making Pagoda’s and Stone
Pillars and Images to the honour of their Gods, whereof there are many yet remaining: which the Chingulayes
count very meritorious to worship, and the next way to Heaven. Near by is a River, by which we came when we
made our escape: all along which is abundance of hewed stones, some long for Pillars, some broad for paving.
Over this River there have been three Stone Bridges built upon Stone Pillars, but now are fallen down; and the
Countrey all desolate without Inhabitants. At this City of Anurodgburro is a Watch kept, beyond which are no more
people that yield obedience to the King of Candy. This place is above Ninety miles to the Northward of the City of
Candy. In these Northern Parts there are no Hills, nor but two or three Springs of running water, so that their Corn
ripeneth with the help of Rain."
5. John Davy (1821), An Account (https://archive.org/stream/anaccountinteri00davygoog#page/n352/mode/1up), full
quote: "Anooradapoora, so long the capital of Ceylon, is now a small mean village, in the midst of a desert. A large
tank, numerous stone pillars, two or three immense tumuli, (probably old dagobahs,) are its principal remains. It is
still considered a sacred spot; and is a place of pilgrimage. This information was collected partly from the natives,
and partly from an officer who visited it during the rebellion."
6. Department of Archaeology - Sri Lanka (http://www.archaeology.gov.lk/web/index.php?option=com_content&view=
article&id=76&Itemid=83&lang=en): "The first methodical excavation of the Department of Archaeology had been
carried out by Mr. S.M. Burrows in Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa during 1884 to 1886. Subsequently, the
exploration and excavation activities were undertaken mainly in Anuradhapura and Sigiriya with the guidance of
Mr. H.C.P. Bell in 1890. Similarly archaeological excavations in Anuradhapura and other areas of the island were
carried out under the supervision of Mr. E.M. Ayrton (1912-1914) and Mr. Raja De Silva (1983). Mr. E.M. Hocart
who was appointed as the Commissioner of Archaeology in Sri Lanka in 1926, carried out excavations using the
method of stratification, in places such as Mathota, Pomparippu, Anuradhapura inner city and Ambalantota."

Harischandra, B. W.: The Sacred City of Anuradhapura, Reprint. New Delhi, Asian Educational Services, 1998.
Nissanka, H.S.S.: Maha Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka : The Oldest Historical Tree in the World, New
Delhi 1996, (Reprint. Vikas)
R. A. E. Coningham.: The Origins of the Brahmi Script Reconsidered: The New Evidence from Anuradhapura,
Minerva 8(2): 27-31, 1995.
R. A. E. Coningham.: Anuradhapura Citadel Archaeological Project: Preliminary Results of a Season of
Geophysical Survey. South Asian Studies 10: 179-188, 1994.
A. Seneviratne.: Ancient Anuradhapura The Monastic City, Archaeological Department of Sri Lanka. p. 310, 1994.
S. M. Burrows, The Buried Cities of Ceylon - A Guide Book to Anuradhapura and Polonaruwa Reprint, p. 120,
1999.

External links
UNESCO World Heritage List - Sacred City of Anuradhapura (http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/200/)
Anuradhapura Case-Study (http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/1918/anuradhapura-sri-lanka) by students of
School of Planning & Architecture
Sacred City of Anuradhapura (https://www.lanka.com/about/destinations/anuradhapura/)
The Complete Travel Guide of Anuradhapura (https://www.methtravels.com/attractions/anuradhapura/)

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