The city of Anuradhapura is situated 220 kms away from Colombo in the north
central province of Sri Lanka on Malwathu Oya. Founded in the 6th century BC,
it was the capital of the Sri Lanka from 4th century BC to beginning of 11th
century AD. Today this ancient capital of Sri Lanka has become sacred to the
whole Buddhist world , with its surrounding monasteries covering a area of 40
sq kilometres and one of the worlds major archaeological sites.
According to Mahavamsa, the great chronicle of the Sri Lanka, the city of
Anuradhapura was named after a Minister called Anuradha who founded this area
as a village settlement. He was one of the ministers who accompanied king Vijaya
from India, who according to the tradition founded the Sinhalese Race in Sri
Lanka.
It was king Pandukabhaya who made it his capital in the 4th Century BC.
It was during the period of his grandson king Devanampiyatissa that the
Buddhism was brought to Sri Lanka by Arhath Mahinda Thero, the son of Emperor Asoka in India. This was 236 years (middle of 3rd century
BC) after passing a way of Load Buddha. From this point onwards a great
civilization developed based on one of the greatest religions of South
East Asia, Buddhism.
Driving Directions to Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura can be reached through many routes from Colombo. The two
main routes are through Puttlam (Puttalama) and though Kurunegala. Traveling
from Puttlam you will pass scenic Wilpattu area. the From Kurunegala
there are two main routes to Anuradhapura. The most common route is through
Dambulla. The other route is though Galgamuwa. Out of all the routes,
the commonly used is the Kurunegala - Dambulla route (Route 2)..
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