Enter the Holy City of Anuradhapura ~ Abhayagiri Stupa

Near the Sacred Bo Tree Temple stands a massive brick-red stupa. When traveling through the fields by tuk-tuk, you can catch glimpses of this pagoda towering high in the vast expanse. Up close, one is even more stunning by its height and enormous size.🌧️ This stupa, known in Sinhala as Abhayagiri Stupa (also called the Fearless Mountain Stupa), is one of the three most magnificent stupas in Anuradhapura.🎋🎋 🌈🌈Commissioned by King Valagamba Abhaya in the 1st century BCE, it was said to have stood 110 meters tall—roughly the same height as the Ruwanwelisaya Stupa—and was part of a larger monastic complex. 💰Records indicate the temple could accommodate 5,000 monks, and the renowned Chinese monk Faxian once studied Buddhist scriptures here. Today, it stands approximately 75 meters high. ✅ In Buddhist history, Abhayagiri Stupa represents more than just a monastery; it embodies a unique sect with historical records, traditions, and a philosophy of life. 🌤️🌤️ 🙊It served as the headquarters of Mahayana Buddhism in Sri Lanka. By the 3rd century CE, under King Mahasena's patronage, Abhayagiri reached its peak, featuring all elements of a major temple: Buddha halls, stupas, a Bo Tree shrine, libraries, chanting halls, living quarters, dining halls, baths, and even advanced roads and water systems. In the 12th century, a power struggle erupted between Mahayana Buddhism centered here and Theravada Buddhism based at the Mahavihara. The king suppressed Mahayana Buddhism, which then gradually vanished from Sri Lanka. 🍚 🏞️After millennia of ruin, most of these structures now survive only as foundations or have vanished entirely, intertwined with the overgrown weeds and ancient trees around them. ✨Tips: ✅ Attractions in Anuradhapura are scattered. Most opt for a tuk-tuk rental, but if you're fit and don't mind the sun, cycling is an option. ✅ You must remove your shoes when entering temples. Bring socks to avoid hot ground. While there are dress codes for visiting stupas, checks are generally lenient.💐 🚗 Transportation Routes: Most travelers first stop in Negombo to rest. I arrived around 9 AM, so I planned to head directly to Anuradhapura and explore on the way back.☕ 🚌 Major Transport: Take a tuk-tuk from the airport to Negombo Bus Station, then take an air-conditioned minibus to Kurunegala (210 LKR per person), and transfer to Anuradhapura. Kurunegala is a key hub with chaotic bus stops—just ask a conductor for your desired route, and they’ll guide you.🌨️ 🚲 Local Transport: After bargaining with our guesthouse owner, we rented two bicycles for 700 LKR a day.🏛️ The next morning, a Korean lady at the same guesthouse mentioned she’d booked a tuk-tuk for 2,000 LKR for six hours, which we could split three ways. While cycling is cheaper and flexible, in hindsight, the tuk-tuk was more comfortable.🍡 🏠 Accommodation: When we arrived in Anuradhapura, it felt like we were just by the roadside. Without a reservation, we spent 10 minutes looking for a guesthouse. The area is small—just walk along the main street. Alternatively, book online in advance.🚞🚞 #SriLanka#OffTheBeatenPath#HistoricalSites#TravelWithXiaohongshu#SriLankaTravel