Exploring a Sacred City
We spent a few days exploring the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is a city full of giant Buddist temples, monasteries, former palaces, and much more. We covered our legs and took off our shoes and followed the locals around the stupas and ruins. We learned a lot, fueled ourselves with ice cream bars and roti, and pushed our temple endurance to the max. The day was topped off with a drive to Mihintale to take in the sunset. The real treat was making new friends, Kanchana and Mapa, at the Ceylonima Homestay and eating the amazing homemade food. We learned about new foods and the Sri Lankan culture. The true charm of Anuradpura is the hospitality and friendliness of the locals, minus the one pesky guard who capitalized on our perpetual foreigner state of confusion. It eventually all ended well and Anuradhapura was another magical stop on our tour around Sri Lanka.
Ruwanwelisaya, a stupa in Anuradhapura, has two quarts or one Dona of the Buddha's relics enshrined in the stupa, making it the largest collection of his relics anywhere.
To enter the temple area, you must remove your shoes and women must cover their legs and shoulders.
Unfortunately, we had a little tangle with this fella over a ticketing mishap—a slow chase, then a too close for comfort follow, and eventually a pursuit and dueling photographs went down. Let’s just say, we left the premises.
Offerings for the Buddha
The Sri Maha Bodhiya, a sacred 2,300 year old tree, is the oldest tree planted by a human rather than by natural seeding. Buddhists pay homage to the tree and bring offerings believing it leads to positive changes in their lives. Farmers in the area also offer the Sri Maha Bodhiya the first rice of the harvest in hopes of good luck for the rest of the growing season.
Lotus flowers for the Sri Maha Bodhiya
Jetavanaramaya, the world’s tallest stupa, is located in the ruins of the Jetavana monastery—over 93 million baked bricks were used in the construction.
122 meters tall stupa—Anuradhapura is a UNESCO World Heritage city.
Monkeys scrambling on the stupa
Walking home after an all day temple affair
Roti and ice cream bar refueling—-the Power Bar of temples
On to Mihintale for sunset
Kanchana spoiled us with amazing homemade meals every night.
New friends and hosts at Ceylonima Homestay—wonderful hospitality and food!
