Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Known as the Park of the Goldfish, these extensive royal pleasure gardens cover 14 hec-
tares and contain two ponds skilfully designed to fit around the huge boulders in the park.
The ponds have fine reliefs of elephants on their sides. It was here that Prince Saliya, the
son of Dutugemunu, was said to have met a commoner, Asokamala, whom he married,
thereby forsaking his right to the throne.
Isurumuniya Vihara
MONUMENT
This rock temple, dating from the reign of Devanampiya Tissa (r 247-207 BC), has some
very fine carvings. Best known of the sculptures is the 'lovers', which dates from around
the 5th century AD and is built in the artistic style of the Indian Gupta dynasty of the 4th
and 5th centuries. There is a lovely lotus pond in front.
Other images (including one of elephants playfully splashing water) remain in situ on
the rock face but most carvings have been moved into a small museum within the temple.
Vessagiriya
HISTORIC SITE
South of the Isurumuniya Vihara are extensive remains of the Vessagiriya cave monastery
complex, which dates from much the same time.
TANKS
Anuradhapura has three great tanks.
Nuwara Wewa
, on the east side of the city, is the
largest, covering about 12 sq km. It was built around 20 BC and is well away from most of
the old city. The 160-hectare
Tissa Wewa
is the southern tank in the old city.
The oldest tank, probably dating from around the 4th century BC, is the 120-hectare
Basawakkulama
to the north. Northwest of here are the ruins of the western monaster-
ies, where the monks dressed in scraps of clothing taken from corpses and, it's claimed,
lived only on rice.
All are good for quiet bike rides and walks.
Festivals & Events
