Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Exhibits include a restored relic chamber, as found during the excavation of the Kantaka
Chetiya dagoba at nearby Mihintale, and a large-scale model of Thuparama Dagoba's
vatadage
as it might have been if a wooden roof (for which there is no physical or epi-
graphic evidence) had existed.
In the museum's grounds are the carved squatting plates from Anuradhapura's western
monasteries, whose monks had forsaken the luxurious monasteries of their more worldly
brothers. To show their contempt for the effete, luxury-loving monks, the monks of the
western monasteries carved beautiful stone squat-style toilets, with their brother monks'
monasteries represented on the bottom. Their urinals illustrated the god of wealth shower-
ing handfuls of coins down the hole. Look for other interesting and characterful sculptures
scattered about the grounds.
Folk Museum
MUSEUM
A short distance north of the Archaeological Museum there's a Folk Museum with dusty
exhibits of country life in Sri Lanka's North Central Province.
Other Sites
South and west of the main historic and sacred areas are several more important sites.
Mirisavatiya Dagoba
BUDDHIST TEMPLE
This huge dagoba was the first built by Dutugemunu after he captured the city in the 2nd
century BC. The story goes that Dutugemunu went to bathe in the tank, leaving his ornate
sceptre implanted in the bank. When he emerged he found his sceptre, which contained a
relic of the Buddha, impossible to pull out. Taking this as an auspicious sign, he had the
dagoba built.
Mirisavatiya Dagoba is one of three very interesting sites that can be visited in a stroll
or ride along the banks of the Tissa Wewa.
Royal Pleasure Gardens
GARDENS
