Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
than 1000 years. But before long the Sinhalese hero Dutugemunu led an army from a
refuge in the far south to recapture Anuradhapura. The 'Dutu' part of his name, incident-
ally, means 'undutiful' because his father, fearing for his son's safety, forbade him to at-
tempt to recapture Anuradhapura. Dutugemunu disobeyed him, and later sent his father a
woman's ornament to indicate what he thought of his courage.
Dutugemunu (r 161-137 BC) set in motion a vast building program that included some
of the most impressive monuments in Anuradhapura today. Other important kings who fol-
lowed him included Valagamba (r 109-103 BC), who lost his throne in another Indian in-
vasion but later regained it, and Mahasena (r AD 276-303), the last 'great' king of
Anuradhapura, who was the builder of the colossal Jetavanarama Dagoba. He also held the
record for tank construction, building 16 of them in all, plus a major canal. Anuradhapura
was to survive for another 500 years before finally being replaced by Polonnaruwa, but it
continued to face incursions from South India again and again - made all the easier by the
cleared lands and great roads that were a product of Anuradhapura's importance.
TEMPLE ETIQUETTE
Because so many of Anuradhapura's important sites are still considered holy it is import-
ant to be prepared to remove your shoes, wear a sarong or otherwise don modest dress
as required.
Sri Lankan pilgrims wear white, which is considered a holy colour, a mode you might
choose to copy out of respect (and also as it reflects strong sunlight).
Sights
