Anuradhapura, Ancient Capital City of Sri Lanka.

Anuradhapura is the oldest capital city of Sri Lanka. This is situated about 205 km. notrh of Colombo the present capital of the country. Anuradhapura was established in 4th century BC and continued upto the begining of 11th century AD. This city evoved based on an agrarian civilization. The city stood near the river Malwattu Oya. Irespective of several invasions and power strugles, the city flourished with relative stability and strong political power.

When the city was abondoned due to various reasons, this fell into ruins and covered with jungle till it was rediscovered during British rule in Sri Lanka.

The ruins belong to religious and secular buildings. As the country during its time was mainly Buddhist, most of the ruins found are related to Buddhism.

The sacred fig tree seen above is said to be planted from a branch of the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. The branch was brought from India by the daughter of Asoka the Great and planted in Anuradhapura in 288 BC. This is regarded as the oldest living human-planted tree in the world.

Stupa or Dagoba is a dome shaped structure built to contain relics of Buddha the founder of the Buddhist Religion. The oldest Stupa in Sri Lanka is the one in Anuradhapura called Thuparama Dagaba. Earliest Stupas in Sri Lanka were very small and built in side natural caves. Later the same was built out side with a structure to protect them. Remains of several such structures are fond in the country. These are called Vatadage in Sinhala. Vata means "round". As only the columns are remaing now, not enough information is available about the roofs of these stuctures.

Fig. 4 shows a Vatadage, the Thuparama in Anuradhapura. The stupa itself had been renovated in recent times. The stone columns seen in two concentric circular arrangement indicates that they supported a roof above the stupa.

Sri Lanka is well known for its huge Stupas. There are three large ancient Stupas in Anuradhapura alone. They are:

• Ruvanvelisaya Stupa - 179 feet high and Built during 161 - 119 BC.
• Abhayagiri Stupa - 245 feet high and built during 89 - 77 BC.
• Jetavana Stupa - 232 feet high and built during 276 - 303 AD.

Fig. 5 below shows the Abhayagiri Dadaba, the largest in Sri Lanka and one of the largest solid structures in the world. It is said that this was the second largest during its hay days, next to the largest pyramid in Egypt.

Ancient Anuradhapura had several baths constructed out of stone. Apart from the royal baths built with artistic taste for the use of kings and other royal family members, beautiful baths have been found near religious centres for the use of Buddhist monks. Most known example of this kind in Anuradhapura is called koottam pokuna which means twin ponds in Sinhalese language. Fig. 6 shows this bathing pond constructed with carved stone.