Clture and Religion
The 8 Placees of Veneration Atamasthana
The city Anuradhapura was founded during the 4th century BC, then quickly became
both the capital of the Sri Lanka and also the sacred city of Buddhism on the island.
The Chronicles of Mahanam, a narrative written 1,000 years later, affirms that it
was founded in 380 BC by Prince Pandukabhaya.
The city is one of the principal shrines of Buddhism, including the branch planted
from the fig tree of Buddha, brought there in the 3rd century BC, has flourished
and, today, the Bodhi tree spreads out over the centre of the site from a sanctuary
near the Brazen Palace. The relics of Buddha have, moreover, shaped the religious
topography of Anuradhapura, where the Dagaba Thuparama was built by King Devanampiyatissa
in the 3rd century BC to house the clavicle of Buddha, an important religious relic
presented by Emperor Ashoka.
These are 8 main places of worship in the Ancient Sacred city of Anuradhapura, Sri
Lanka. These places are valued for their artistic, historical and archaeological
value.
- Lovamahapaya Viharaya
- Sri Maha Bodhiya
- Lankarama
- Mirisawetiya Vihara
- Swarnamali Vihara (Ruwanvelisaya)
- Thuparama Vihara
- Abhayagiri Vihara
- Jetavanarama