Lankarama Dagoba is a stupa built by King Vattagamini Abhaya around the 1st century BC. Located in Anuradhapura, 200 km from Colombo in Sri Lanka, Lankarama is one of the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka. The stupa houses stone pillar ruins around the central stupa. It is one of the oldest Monasteries in Sri Lanka. Lankarama is one of the Atamasthana, a series of eight sacred locations around Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. Displaying the Buddhist style and architecture, the monastery has a spiritual appeal and attracts tourists and travellers worldwide due to its significant importance and divine aura. A visit to Lankarama in Anuradhapura instils calmness and peace into the traveller’s body and mind.
Touring Lankarama In Sri Lanka
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Lankarama is a stupa built by King Valagamba in Galhebakada in the ancient kingdom of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Nothing is known about the stupa’s history, form, and structure. It was later renovated and today is a testament to the flourishing Buddhist religion. The ruins of Lankarama provide an evident display of the stone pillars, and a house has been built to cover the stupa encircling it. The round courtyard of the stupa is about 10 feet above the ground and is significant to the Buddhist style of architecture and creativity. The diameter of the stupa is 45 feet, while the courtyard is around 1332 feet.
Must Read: Most Beautiful Places In Sri Lanka
Places To Visit Around Lankarama In Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka has some of the most beautiful and pristine tourist spots, including the ancient Lankarama Stupa. Let’s check out some of them below.
1.Brazen Palace
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The Brazen Palace, or Lovamahapaya, is a 2000-year-old palace built by King Dutugemunu in the 2nd century. Located near Lankarama, this ancient yet opulent structure has 1600 stone columns and 1000 rooms. It is known as the Brazen Palace due to the exquisite use of Bronze tiles on its roof. Lovamahapaya was primarily constructed as an abode for the Buddhist monks who assembled on Poya or Full Moon Day in Sri Lanka. The grandeur of the Palace is such that it could accommodate over 1000 monks at a time. Though in ruins now, the structure is a hallmark of the rich heritage and local culture of Sri Lanka and serves as a popular tourist spot for the generations to admire the heavenly beauty of the Brazen Palace.
Location: Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Timings: Open 24 hours
2.Sri Maha Bodhi
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The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is one of the ancient living trees standing tall in the Mahamewna Gardens in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The tree is said to have been sprouted from a cutting brought from Bodh Gaya in India, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment or True Knowledge. The tree is also acknowledged as the oldest living tree in history, and it has a recorded date of the plantation. The Maha Bodhi tree has been protected for generations by different kings, queens, and Buddhist Monks in Sri Lanka. Many people believe that the tree has the power to grant the wishes of the people who pay a visit to the complex. Although considered sacred for Buddhists, the Maha Bodhi tree near Lankarama is respected and visited by several travellers and devotees worldwide throughout the year due to its promising beauty and sacred beliefs.
Location: Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Timings: 6:15 am to 9 pm.
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Anuradhapura
3.Ruwanweliseya
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The Ruwanweliseya stupa is one of the most significant dagobas close to Sri Lanka’s Anuradhapura. The magnificent Buddhist stupa was constructed by King Dutugamunu, also known as the Hero of the Island. The Ruwanweliseya Stupa is also known as the Maha Stupa and is considered sacred by the Buddhists and the local people of Sri Lanka. Open for tourists throughout the year, the Stupa offers a sense of relaxation and peace. It is one of the most revered and influential areas of worship for the Buddhists in Anuradhapura. Standing with a height of 338 feet and a Diameter of 951 ft, the Ruwanweliseya Stupa also has a brickwork circle of elephants constructed on the other boundary of the wall of the stupa, which captures the attention of the devotees in Anuradhapura.
Location: Abhaya Wewa Road, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Timings: 5:30 am to 9 pm.
4.Abhayagiri Vihara
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Located close to the Lankarama Stupa is the Abhayagiri Vihara, another exciting and excellent piece of architecture in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Exhibiting a shimmering glow, the Abhayagiri Vihara is not just a Buddhist Monastery but a fraternity of Buddhist monks who maintain their records, traditions, and way of life. King Valagamabau established it in the 2nd Century BC because he celebrated victory against the Indian Chola invaders. The main stupa was constructed over the footprint of Gautama Buddha; thus, it is considered sacred and a revered pilgrimage site for the Buddhists. Additionally, Twin Pond near the Abhayagiri Vihara is also one of the best architectural marvels in Sri Lanka.
Location: Watawandana Road, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Timings: Open 24 hours
Suggested Read: Anuradhapura Ruins
5.Archaeological Museum
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Established in 1947, The Archaeological Museum of Anuradhapura is one of the most popular tourist destinations around Lankarama Stupa. The Museum houses and displays some of the most ancient and exotic relics of the past, including Buddhist scriptures, carvings, statues, coins, paintings, and several other artefacts worth watching. The museum also has Bronze statues of Hindu Gods and Goddesses, including Lord Ganesha, Maa Parvati, and Lord Shiva. It is a testament to the secularity and architectural ingenuity of the artisans of the bygone era. The Archaeological Museum serves as a site for future generations to admire, revisit, and indulge in the vibrant legacy of the past times.
Location: Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka
Timings: 9 am to 4 pm, Tuesday closed
Further Read: Places To Visit Near Kandy
Now that you have a guide to explore the Buddhist stupa Lankarama and a curated list of the top places to visit in Anuradhapura, plan your trip to Sri Lanka to explore the enchanting beauty of one of the oldest cities in Sri Lanka. Explore the heavenly beauty of the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites near Lankarama, spend some time in the calming aura, and embrace the tranquillity of Anuradhapura. Don’t wait any further; book your tickets now to witness the mesmerising and abundant beauty of Lankarama.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Lankarama
Which is the nearest airport to Sri Lankarama?
The nearest airport to Lankarama in Sri Lanka is the Colombo Airport. From the Airport, tourists can take a bus or rent a taxi to Lankarama in Anuradhapura, which is around 200 km from the Colombo City Centre.
Which is the best time to explore Lankarama in Sri Lanka?
Lankarama is open to tourists throughout the year. The best time to explore Lankarama is between December and March when the weather is dry, calm, pleasant, and comfortable for sightseeing and exploring the tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. Avoid visiting during the Monsoon season from July to September, as heavy rainfall is possible.
How many days are required for proper sightseeing in Lankarama, Sri Lanka?
Lankarama In Sri Lanka, proper sightseeing requires approximately 2-3 hours. Other nearby attractions in Anuradhapura can be covered in another 2-3 days. A vast state like Sri Lanka, famous for its exceptionally unique diversity, culture, and heritage, requires a tour of 7-10 days for hassle-free sightseeing and tour excursions.
Is Lankarama in Sri Lanka worth visiting?
Yes, while planning a trip to explore Sri Lanka, add Lankarama, located in Anuradhapura, to your bucket list. Located 200 km from Colombo, Lankarama is a famous Buddhist Stupa in Anuradhapura and a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists, attracting several devotees worldwide.
What are some comfortable and budget-friendly hotels around Lankarama in Anuradhapura?
Here's a list of some popular hotels and resorts near Lankarama in Anuradhapura, which offer warm hospitality and comfortable accommodations for tourists.
- Arachchi Heritage
- Yaluwa Tourist Rest and Cooking Class
- Treasure House Tourist Rest
- Saubhagya Inn
- Forest edge Villa
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