Our Weekend Getaways

Ruwanweli Maha Seya, also known as Mahathupa, the Great Stupa, is one of the world's tallest ancient monuments. It was built by King Dutugamunu in 140 B.C. and later renovated by many kings. It is 103 meters tall and 290 meters in circumference. As per Mahavansa, the great Sri Lankan chronicles written in the 5th century, relics of the Lord Buddha are enshrined in this stupa. Due to this, Buddhist consider this to be a very sacred site. Ruwanweliseya is located in the ancient royal garden called Mahamevna Uyana in the UNESCO heritage-listed city of Anuradhapura. This garden has other important religious sites like Jaya Sri Maha Bodi, Samadhi statue - Buddha statue considered to be one of the finest in Sri Lanka, dated back to the 4th-6th century, Thuparama Stupa, Lovamahapaya, etc. When worshipping the stupas, Buddhists usually walk around the Stupas in a clockwise direction. With the change of Sri Lanka's capital city from Anuradhapura mainly due to invasions, many sacred plac

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the sacred Bo tree in Anuradhapura Sri Lanka is considered to be the oldest living tree in the world with a recorded history. As per the written history of Sri Lanka, the sacred Bo tree in Anuradhapura is grown from a cutting of the southern branch from the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi tree of Bodhgaya, India under which Lord Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. The sapling has been ceremoniously brought to Sri Lanka in 236 BC. King Devanampiyatissa received this sapling and planted it at the present site in Mahameghavana Garden. Since its establishment, the Sacred Bo tree has received the protection of Kings, monks and the Buddhist people. Over the centuries walls and railings have been constructed around the Bo tree for protection. Today, the Bo tree is located on a high terrace about 6.5 meters above the ground level surrounded by four other lower-level terraces. The outer wall has 4 entrances. Moonstone at the base of the steps Ruins of some previous ancient walls had

The temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic is a world heritage-listed temple that enshrines the left tooth of the Gautama Buddha. The sacred relic was housed in many different cities and temples before it was moved to its current destination in Kandy. The Sacred relic was brought to Sri Lanka by Princess Hemamala & Prince Dantha from the city of Kalinga in ancient India, during 301 -328 AD. It was kept in a shrine within the royal palace in Anuradhapura, the capital at the time.  Along with the honour and protection offered to the sacred relic, it soon became a symbol of Royalty and it was accepted that whoever possessed the Tooth Relic had the legitimate right to sovereignty. It was a prime duty of the Sinhalese kings to protect the Sacred Tooth Relic and perform rituals.  Whenever capital cities were changed due to invasions and other reasons, a shrine was built within the precincts of the royal palace to house the Sacred Tooth Relic. Ruins of such shrines can be found in the ancient c