Sri Lanka's Cultural Triangle - Western Ancient City:Anuradhapura

💫 Anuradhapura is located in the western part of Sri Lanka, hence it is also known as the Western Ancient City. It is home to Buddhist sacred sites, and for countless Sri Lankan devotees, paying homage at the Bodhi tree, ancient temples, and great stupas is a common part of their lives. 1️⃣ The most famous attraction in the city is the Bodhi tree, which has a history of over 2600 years and is the national treasure of Sri Lanka second only to the Buddha's tooth relic. The ancient city of Anuradhapura developed around this Bodhi tree, becoming a flourishing political and religious capital. ✨ Especially during the full moon festival, more Sri Lankans come to worship, dressed in white, sitting cross-legged under the Bodhi tree, reading scriptures or praying silently with their hands folded. 2️⃣ The Western Ancient City has three major museums: the Archaeological Museum, the Folk Museum, and the Ruwanwelisaya Museum. ✔ The Archaeological Museum displays items such as Buddha statues and coins. ✔ The Folk Museum mainly exhibits folk artifacts, typically agricultural tools and daily living items, offering a glimpse into the prosperity of the Western Ancient City centuries ago. ✔ The Ruwanwelisaya Museum mainly houses unearthed Buddha statues, pottery, inscriptions, ivory carvings, and royal jewelry. 3️⃣ Ruwanwelisaya Stupa It is one of the tallest stupas in the world, with a central cylindrical stone pillar and a conical upper part, capped with a golden pinnacle. The current height of the stupa is 107 meters, with a diameter of 96 meters. 4️⃣ Thuparama It is the first stupa built in Sri Lanka, which has been destroyed many times. The stupa seen today was rebuilt in 1862, surrounded by granite ground and two rows of stone pillars. #Sri lanka#Sri Lanka Cultural Triangle# Western Ancient City#Anuradhapura#Thuparama#Ruwanwelisaya# Archaeological Museum# The Folk Museum#The Ruwanwelisaya Museum #Sri lanka life#trip diary#Bodhi tree