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Private Guided Day Tour in Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
$30.00
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
Overview
Let’s Discover the rich history of ancient Sri Lanka on this immersive tour of Anuradhapura. Begin the journey at the Vessagiriya Forest Monastery, where you’ll delve into the intriguing tales of a civilization unique to this region. Visit iconic sites including the Shri Maha Bodhi Tree, Towering Stupas, and many Grandeur Masterpieces, each offering a glimpse into the grandiloquent history of ancient Sinhalese people. As you explore, gain insights into the cultural significance of these landmarks from your personal guide. This tour is ideal for history enthusiasts and those looking to understand Sri Lanka’s ancient elegance.
- Tour includes visits to key historical sites in Anuradhapura
- Learn about ancient Sri Lankan civilization from an expert guide
- Explore significant landmarks like the Ruwanweliseya Stupa and the Vessagiriya Monastery
- Flexible pick-up options available from bus stations, railway stations, or your hotel
- Tour includes visits to key historical sites in Anuradhapura
- Learn about ancient Sri Lankan civilization from an expert guide
- Explore significant landmarks like the Ruwanweliseya Stupa and the Vessagiriya Monastery
- Flexible pick-up options available from bus stations, railway stations, or your hotel
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Private City Day Tour
First Class Experience
Duration: 7 hours
Water / Refreshments : 1. Unlimited Bottled Drinking Water
2. Refreshments
As same as on the Itinerary
First Class Experience
Duration: 7 hours
Water / Refreshments : 1. Unlimited Bottled Drinking Water
2. Refreshments
As same as on the Itinerary
Tour guide
Language: English
Human tour guide
Duration: 7 hours
- Coffee and/or Tea
- Bottled water
- Professional Licensed Tourist Guide
- Private transportation
Meeting point
Your Guide will be there to welcome you at the meeting point with a paging board.
Return details
Your Guide will be there to welcome you at the meeting point with a paging board.
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Vessagiriya RuinsWelcome to Rajarata ! (The King’s County or The Land of Kings) We will commence our day from Vessagiriya Forest Monastery, which is one of the two oldest Buddhist Monks living dwellings in the island. At Vessagiriya, the guests will start to deep dive into the Ancient Sinhalese Civilization nourished with Buddhism, Agriculture, Fine Arts, Architecture, Trades, International Relations, and Spellbinding Engineering Marvels and there you get an idea of how Anuradhapura looked like in its golden era from its very beginning.
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Sri Maha Boodhi TempleThe Sri Maha Bodhi Tree or The Sacred Bodhi Tree ( A Fig or Pipal Tree scientifically known as the Ficus Religiosa) is regarded as the first of the eight sacred places in Anuradhapura. This is recorded to be the right wing branch of the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya in India under which the Ascetic Siddhartha attained Enlightenment, and was sent by Emperor Ashoka through his beloved daughter, The Buddhist Nun Theri Sanghamitta, on request of Sinhalese King Devanampiyatissa in the 3rd century BCE. From this point onwards it came to be venerated by successive Kings, Monks, Nuns, and the Lay Buddhists since it is a living connection to the Gautama Buddha. Particularly, it is generally accepted that it would be the oldest human planted living tree in the world with the longest written records and at present nearly 2300 years old.
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Lovamahapaya Brazen PalaceTo the north or the Sacred Bodhi Tree, we can witness a huge collection of standing granite pillars which has been identified as the dilapidated building of the ancient Brazen palace which was once served as the administrative Center of the ancient Maha Vihara Monastery Complex constructed under the guidance of Great King Gamini Abhaya in 2nd Century BCE, a grand son of King Devanampiyatissa. It was a nine-storey building with 1000 different chambers. The name, Brazen Palce derives from the fact that its roof was thatched with copper tiles.
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RuwanwelisayaRuwanveliseya stupa also known as the Ratnamali or as the Mahathupa ( Th Great Stupa) was constructed under the guidance of Great Kind Gamini Abhaya in the second century BC. The chronicles fantastically describes of the inauguration ceremony of this Stupa as great festival that was held in Anuradhapura with the participation of Invited Guests even from other countries as diplomats. However it was destroyed during Chola Invasion by 10th century AC and was restored the stupa to its original glory in the 12th century AC by King Parakkramabahu the greatest. Then anyhow what we see today is the most recent restored form which was completed by Ratnamali Stupa Development Society in 1940, what was firstly initiated by Ven. Naranvita Sumanasara Thero in 1873 as he wanted to restore it to its former glory.
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The Royal Palace (Vijayabahu Maligaya)Even if we say it a Royal Palace, this was actually the temporary residence of King Vijayabahu the Greatest who rescued and Unified the country from the chola occupation in the 11th Century AC after Anuradhapura was declined in 9th Century AC. His permanent residence was there in Polonnaruwa which is nearly 100Km away but he constructed this palace for his coronation as he wanted to flow the tradition of Sinhalese dynasty like his all forebears had become kings at Anuradhapura itself for more than 1500 years.
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Gedige RuinsAt the premises of Mahapali Alms Hall, we will witness a collection of ruins of few different buildings, the largest one would be the Mahapali Refectory, where supplied the meals for Buddhist Monks from the royal kitchen. It has been conjectured that the term “Mahapali’ derives from the custom of monks coming for their meals in a long line according to their seniority. The refectory was actually considered as a part of the royal palace itself. A huge Stone-trough seen here served as a receptacle for rice. To the north west, we find another dilapidated building that was the Temple of the sacred tooth relic in ancient times. After The Sacred Tooth Relic of Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka, it was regarded with highest esteem and acquired the status of an important religious and royal symbol. Therefore they housed it safely closer to the Royal Palace. After the Tooth Relic Chamber we move to a little bit far north and you will come across a huge dig which was a recent excavation.
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Main Refectory Of Abayagiri MonasteryThere we will again see a large granite trough in the shape of canoe stands with an amazing intaglio in the refectory premises of the Abhayagiriya Monastery. The Chinese monk Fa-hsien who was studying at the Abhayagiriya University in 5th Century AC recorded that there were 5000 Buddhist monks in the Monastery and this particular trough could hold sufficient rice for such a number.
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Eth PokunaThis is popularly known as the Eth-Pokuna to the locals or the Elephant Pond in English, situated to south-west of the Refectory is perhaps the largest Man made pond in the Asia that was built in the 3rd century AC. It is said that this is three times bigger than a modern day Olympic swimming pool. The miracle here is not only its enormous size but the underground conduits which still functions and have been supplying water to the pond from nearby reservoirs and in the south west corner we can note a cistern sluice which suggests that water was distributed to other relatively smaller ponds in the vicinity depicting the superb hydraulic engineering skills of the ancient Sinhalese.
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This is one of the finest works of art in Sri Lanka dates back to about the 8th Century AC. And this masterpiece is preciously showcasing the aesthetic sense of the ancient craftsmen and how incredibly they have put their knowledge, ability, talents, feelings into practice.
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Moonstone or Sandakada pahanaThe moonstone is another most beautiful and breathtaking creation of the ancient sculptor. It serves as a doormat at the foot of a flight of steps to a Buddhist shrine, but the sculptor transforms it into a work of art far excellence.
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This is really somthing like a modern steam bath, but this was not merely to enjoy steam bathing with warm water but of a well-developed sinhalese medication which performed in 4th century AC onwards. At there we can discuss how it was functioned and how Sick monks in Abhayagiriya University cured their skin deceases.
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Twin Baths (Kuttam Pokuna)This picturesque pair of Ponds built on the low ground are undoubtedly exquisite specimens of land scape architecture and of course a wonderful hydraulic system showing not only the talents but the aesthetic sense of these magnificent people.
If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
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You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
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We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
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Private Guided Day Tour in Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
$30.00
This is an experience gift voucher. The recipient will book the experience after
they redeem the gift voucher.
How it works?
01
—
You choose from 10,000+ experience gifts
02
—
We deliver the eVoucher or the Physical box to the recipient
03
—
Recipient books the experience and creates unforgettable memories!