Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka - Part I - 4 B.C. to 10 A.D. During the 4th century B.C., the Sinhalese kingdom of Anuradhapura began to develop in the northern plains of Sri Lanka.  Considered the greatest kingdom in Sri Lankan history, Anuradhapura flourished for almost 1,500 years until the 10th century A.D.  It was during this time that Buddhism became the dominant belief system in Sri Lanka and still continues to be followed by 70% of the the Sri Lankan population.  Pressures and invasions from Southern India caused the collapse of the Anuradhapura kingdom and the capital was eventually moved further south to Polonnaruwa.  Due to the extensive building projects of the Anuradhapuran kings, the modern traveller can gain a sense of the majesty of the old kingdom from the remaining ruins.  Today, the ruins of Anuradhapura consist of dozens of temples, dagobas (Buddhist monuments), shrines and various other sites.

A Vishnu Statue at the Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba.  During the Anuradhapuran Kingdom, Buddhism and Hinduism Existed Together and Became Intermingled in Many Ways.

Small Buddha Statues and Offerings in a Niche at the Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba.

The Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba (a Buddhist Monument Sometimes Called a Stupa) seen from the Brazen Palace Ruins.

Ruins of Stone Pillars in the Foreground with the Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba in the Background.

Close-up of a Carved Stone Dwarf at the Ruvanvelisaya Dagoba.

The Thuparama Dagoba said to House the Collarbone of the Buddha, making it One of the Most Respected Sites in Anuradhapura.

The Thuparama Dagoba with Ancient Stone Pillars in the Foreground.  The Pillars Used to Hold a Wooden Roof Covering the Dagoba.

The Moonstone at Mahasan's Palace, the Best Preserved Moonstone in Sri Lanka.  Moonstones were Used as Ancient Doormats where People could Wipe the Dirt from their Feet Before Entereing Important Buildings.

One of the Duttan Pokuna's or Twin Ponds Used for Bathing, an Early Example of the Sri Lankan Command of Water Engineering.  Anuradhapura Lies in the Dry Northern Plains of Sri Lanka and Without these Amazing Water Management Skills, Anuradhapura would be Practically a Desert with no Ability to Sustain a Mighty Empire.

A Lion, the Symbol of Power, on the Stairs Leading from the Moonstone at Mahasan's Palace.

A Young Sri Lankan Boy Making an Offering at the Samadhi Buddha Statue said to be the Finest Buddha Image in the Country.

Cows Grazing on the Edge of the Tissa Wewa at Sunset.  The Tissa Wewa is an Artifical Lake Created in 200 B.C., Another Fine Example of the Sri Lankan Mastery Over Water.

The Old and the New Coexist in Anuradhapura.  This Enormous Buddha Statue at the Len Viharaya (Monastery) is Approximately Ten Years Old.

The Mirisavatiya Dagoba Piercing the Early Evening Sky.

Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka - Part II