The Jathika Namal Uyana is located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province. This can be accessed through Madatugama Pubbogama Andiyagala road and 6.5km away from the Kandy-Jaffna Highway (see the below map for exact location). This is the largest ironwood forest in Sri Lanka and where Asia’s largest rose quartz mountain is located in. The Jathika Namal Uyana had been a sanctuary for Buddhist monks during the era of King Devanampiyatissa. Later it had been used as a prison camp where the punishment was to plant Na trees.   External Links Mother Nature’s wonderful creation Jathika Namal Uyana Sri Lanka’s historical natural park  

Avukana Buddha Statue is a great masterpiece of sculpture which explain the competence of artist in ancient Sri Lanka. It is an over 40 feet high Buddha statue carved out of a great granite rock face built during the reign of King Dhatusena (455 – 473 AD). It is located in the vicinity of Kala Wewa in Anuradhapura district of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. In this is statue the Lord Buddha is depicted in Asisa Mudra which is a pose of blessing. Originally this statue had been placed inside an Image house and now you can see only the crumbling brick walls of it. Click here to find a list of accommodations around Kekirawa, Sri Lanka on Booking.com

Vijithapura Rajamaha Viharaya is an ancient Buddhist temple worshiped by Buddhist all around the country. The temple is located closer to the Kala Wewa in Anuradhapura district of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. You can access this temple through Kekirawa – Galewela road and only about 10km away from the Kekirawa temple. According to the historical sources (like Mahavamsa, Deepavamsa, Tupavamsa, and Saddharmalankaraya), the history of the Vijithapura area goes back to the reign of King Vijaya (543–505 BCE). The beginning of the Vijithapura Rajamaha Viharaya is not clearly identified. However, according to the legends, the history of the temple goes back to the reign of the King Dutugemunu (161 BC to 137 BC). The invader King Elara who conquered the Anuradhapura Kingdom during the 2nd century BC has established a strong fort at Vijithapura. Because of that, the Vijithapura battle between King Dutugemunu and invader king Elara was a decisive and major battle. And it is one of the most discussed battles in the history of Sri Lanka. However, King Dutugemunu has won that battle after a great effort. After winning the war, the King Dutugemunu has constructed a stupa at this location to commemorate the Vijithapura battle. Later the Vijithapura Rajamaha Viharaya was built around this stupa. And the temple has been rehabilitated later by a number of kings. During the adverse period started after the reign of King Parakramabau the great (Polonnaruwa kingdom) has been left behind like other places. And again this temple was renovated in the latter part of 19th century. You can see a stone believed to be a stone used to sharpen the sword, ancient guardstones,  and a small ancient stupa as historical evidence at this sacred place. Click here to find a list of accommodations around Kekirawa, Sri Lanka on Booking.com External Links 01. මැරුණත් සැපයි පස්‌ පාගා විජිත පුරේ

Ritigala is a mountain range located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The mountain contains ruins of ancient Buddhist monastery. The history of the monastery is date back to 1st century BC.   Ritigala

Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple located in Anuradhapura District of North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The history of this temple dates back to reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (307 BC to 267 BC). Later this has been renovated by the King Kasyapa I (473-491 AD). Isurumuniya is most famous for stone carvings, especially the “Isurumuni Lovers” carving. In addition to that there are many other stone carvings can be seen in this temple. Isurumuni Lovers Stone carvings and sculptures

Ranmasu uyana is pleasure garden of the ancient royals of Sri Lanka. It is located in between Thissa Wewa and Isurumuniya temple in Anuradhapura district of North Central Province. The garden is spreaded over 40 acres. This is a good example of ancient Sri Lankan garden architecture. Establishment of this “Ran Masu Uyana” has been carried out to full fill the essential necessity of a royal park and this was built on the right side of the Maha Vihara premises. Inscription of Vessagiriya, established by King Mihindu IV in the 10th century A.D., has identified this as the “Ranmasu Uyana”. Meaning of the name explains that it was a habitat of gold fish and was built by King Devanam Piya Tissa in the 3rd century B.C. Vessagiriya slab inscription of King Mihindu IV, reveals many details of the unique constructional techniques if the “Ranmasu Uyana”, which is considered to be a marvel of the ancient water management in Sri Lanka. According to the epigraphic disclosure, water through the main sluice gate is first taken to the gold fish park (“Ranmasu Uyana”) and then it was diverted to the play house (“Kadali Gruha”) and then to the garden pond and the water lily pond. Finally it was released to the paddy fields in the surrounding area of the Isurumuniya Viharaya. Highly advanced building construction technology has been adopted in maintaining the natural beauty of the surrounding by joining the rocky out crops with ston slabs and the construction of lovely ponds and bathing spots and other essential components needed for a park. This park has been in the extent of over 40 acres of land and this has been covered by the jungle when it was discovered by Mr. H.C.P. Bell in the year 1901 and the renovation work has been completed in 1940. This is declared a protected archaeological site. Ranmasu Uyana History ~Department of Archaeology~ Ranmasu Uyana – Stargate Ranmasu Uyana Ranmasu Uyana Ranmasu Uyana    

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a Sacred Bo-Tree in the Mahamewna Gardens, Anuradhapura District, North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It is said to be the southern branch of the historical Sri Maha Bodhi at Buddha Gaya in India under which Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi was brought to Sri Lanka by the Theri Sangamitta, daughter of Emperor Asoka and was planted in the Mahamewna Gardens in Anuradhapura in 288 BC by King Devanampiyatissa. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date. Today it is one of the most sacred relics of the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and respected by Buddhists all over the world. External Links Srimahabodhi.org Oldest sacred symbol – Sunday Times Solosmasthana – Wikipedia Sacred City of Anuradhapura – UNESCO Atamasthana – Wikipedia List of oldest trees – Wikipedia

The Lovamahapaya is one of the Eight Sacred places known as “Atamasthana” and it is located in the Sacred City of Anuradhapura in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. When you walk towards Ruwanweliseya from Sri Maha Bodhiya, The Lovamahapaya can be seen on your right-hand side. According to the Mahawamsa, the Lowamahapaya was a nine-story building and It was built by the King Dutugemunu (161-137 BC). You can read more about this place by visiting the external links given below. Photo Credit:  Balou46, ChampikaG External Links: King Dutugemunu’s gracious gift to Maha Sangha The Entrance Into the Tusita-Heaven