PM Narendra Modi is visiting Anuradhapura. You should too. What's special about this north-central Sri Lanka town? Once the capital of a mighty 5th century BC Sinhalese kingdom, in 1982 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Situated in Sri Lanka's North Central Province it has an age-old Buddhist heritage. History has it, as per the Mahavamsa chronicles, that its first king Prince Vijaya fled South India to set up his own kingdom on this island. Various impressive historical landmarks tell the story of Anuradhapura.
Built in 140 BC by King Dutugemunu, after he united Sri Lanka under his rule, the stark but stunning stupa soars 338 ft, a symbol of Sinhalese pride and Buddhist devotion. It contains Buddha relics -- a portion of his ashes apparently -- and attracts Buddhist pilgrims galore.
Once the world's largest stupa, it originally reached a height of 122 m (around 400 ft). Constructed by King Mahasena in the 3rd century AD to be part of the Jetavana Monastery, after Anuradhapura was abandoned in the 11 century, it fell to ruin. Today it is still a staggering sight at around 70 m (233 ft) when it was rebuilt by a successive king.
A beautiful cave temple, that dates from 3rd century BC, where nature and art meet, is at Isurumuniya Vihara. It features carvings etched into rock amidst serene surroundings of ponds, lotus flowers, and ancient frescoes.
The sacred fig tree here is said to be over 2,300 years old. It is believed it grew from a sapling of the original Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, India, under which Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment and was brought to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BC by Sanghamitta Theri, the Buddhist nun daughter of Emperor Ashoka the Great of the Mauryan dynasty.
Once a major learning centre and monastic complex, it housed thousands of monks and played a vital role in preserving and spreading Buddhism. This site reflects the rise of the Mahayana tradition in Sri Lanka.
A good pair of walking shoes and Galle is yours!
PICS: Backpacking in Sri Lanka