Megalithic Portal: Latest from Sri Lanka

Kuttam Pokuna

Catrinm — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 14:00:44 GMT

]]>The Twin Ponds, renowned ancient bathing pools in Anuradhapura, built around the 6th century for monks of the Abhayagiri Viharaya. Beautiful construction, see the scrolls and seven headed serpents (pictured). It still holds water and there were even turtles in the there !

Thuparamaya

Catrinm — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 13:49:25 GMT

]]>The oldest documented Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka, founded during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (247-207 BC) at the request of the Buddhist missionary Mahinda Thera, who brought Buddhism to the island from India. The stupa was built to enshrine the right collar-bone relic of the Buddha. The current structure dates to an 1842 rebuilding, as the original form was modified and damaged multiple times over its 2,000+ year history.

Ranmasu Uyana

Catrinm — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:35:29 GMT

]]>An ancient royal pleasure garden on the southern fringe of the Anuradhapura sacred city, immediately south of Vessagiriya. The landscaped garden served the royal court and features carved boulders, bathing pools, and water gardens.

Vessagiriya

Catrinm — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:35:14 GMT

A rock-shelter monastery on the southern fringe of the Anuradhapura sacred city, about half a mile south of the Isurumuniya Temple. Founded during the reign of King Devanampiya Tissa (mid-3rd century BC), the same king who established Thuparamaya and received the Bodhi Tree cutting.

Dakkhina Stupa

Catrinm — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:34:51 GMT

A Buddhist stupa in the southern part of the Anuradhapura sacred precinct, believed to be the cremation stupa of King Dutugemunu (Dutugamunu), one of Sri Lanka's most celebrated kings. Built in the 2nd century BC, approximately 830 metres southeast of Mirisawetiya, the other great stupa built by Dutugemunu.

Mirisawetiya

Catrinm — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:34:35 GMT

A Buddhist stupa in the southern part of the Anuradhapura sacred precinct, the first great stupa built by King Dutugemunu after his victory over the Chola general Elara (161-137 BC). It stands 59 metres high with a diameter of 43 metres in its current form. The original stupa was approximately 51 metres high with a 61-metre diameter.

Samadhi Statue and Rathna Prasadaya

Catrinm — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:33:52 GMT

Two notable monuments within the Abhayagiri monastery complex, approximately 150 metres apart: The Samadhi Statue is a celebrated 4th-century seated Buddha carved from dolomite marble, renowned for its serene expression. The statue depicts the Buddha in meditation (samadhi) posture and is considered one of the finest examples of ancient Sri Lankan sculpture. Jawaharlal Nehru is said to have meditated before a photograph of it during his imprisonment.

Abhayagiri Dagaba

Andy B — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:33:03 GMT

A major Buddhist stupa originally around 75 metres tall, making it the second-tallest ancient stupa in Sri Lanka. Founded by King Valagamba (Vattagamani Abhaya) in 89 BC after he regained his throne. The stupa stood at the centre of the Abhayagiri Monastery, one of the great monastic complexes of the ancient world.

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and Lovamahapaya

Catrinm — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:23:22 GMT

]]>Two adjacent monuments at the heart of the Anuradhapura sacred precinct: Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa) grown from a cutting of the original Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya, India, under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. The cutting was brought to Sri Lanka in 288 BC by the Buddhist nun Sanghamitta, daughter of the Indian Emperor Ashoka. At more than 2,300 years old, it is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date.

Jetavanaramaya

Catrinm — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:21:58 GMT

]]>The tallest brick structure ever built and once the third-tallest structure in the ancient world after two of the Egyptian pyramids at Giza. Constructed from approximately 93.3 million baked bricks, with each side of the base measuring 176 metres and the original height reaching 122 metres (400 feet). The current height is 71 metres following partial collapse and incomplete restoration.

Ruwanwelisaya

Catrinm — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:21:08 GMT

]]>A massive Buddhist stupa standing 103 metres high with a circumference of 290 metres, one of the tallest ancient monuments in the world. Built by King Dutugemunu (Dutugamunu) around 140 BC after his victory over the Chola general Elara. The stupa houses what is believed to be the largest collection of Buddha relics anywhere - two quarts (one Dona measure) of the Buddha's bodily relics.

Galle Museum of Marine Archeology

Catrinm — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:32:55 GMT

]]>Museum in Sri Lanka

Colombo Museum

Catrinm — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:47:24 GMT

]]>Museum in Sri Lanka

Isurumuniya Temple

Catrinm — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 17:46:52 GMT

]]>A Temple built into the solid rock , originally a cave temple - 200BCE or before. Has many elements: stone carvings/engravings / elephant pond - and very atmospheric. The museum also includes the 'Isuruminiya Lovers' sculpture whose story the guide likened to Harry and Meghan!

Ibbankatuwa Megalithic Cemetery

KaiHofmann — Tue, 12 Mar 2019 10:14:23 GMT

]]>Megalithic burial complex of 10 cists and dolmens from 700 – 400 BCE, one of the most significant prehistoric locations in Sri Lanka. Inside the burials were found clay pots, beads, and precious metal items, proving that a highly organized society lived there long before the arrival of North Indian influences.