A number of interesting places can be visited due to the convenient location of the Aryana hotel. A range of guided tours can be arranged to some of the well-known tourist attractions. Please approach one of our staff members for more details and advise.
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is one of the greatest attractions of Anuradhapura. The Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred shrine built around the southern branch of the sacred Bodhi tree which was planted in the 3rd Century BC – today, the branch from the original tree is supported by golden scaffoldings. It is the oldest historically documented tree in the world.
Ruwanweli Maha Seya
Ruwanweli Maha Seya (also known as Maha Seya, Rathnamali Maha Seya) was constructed in 140 BC by great King Dutugemunu who ruled the country from 161BC to 137BC in Anuradhapura. The stupa is one of the world’s tallest ancient monuments, standing at 103 m (338 ft) and with a circumference of 290 m (951 ft). The original stupa had been about 55 m (180 ft) in height and was renovated by many kings in the Island nation.
Jetavanaramaya Monastery
Jetavanarama stupa or Jetavanaramaya is a stupa, or Buddhist reliquary monument, located in the ruins of Jetavana monastery in the UNESCO world heritage city of anuradhapura Sri Lanka. At 122 metres (400 ft), it was the world’s tallest stupa,[3] and the third tallest structure in the world[4] when it was built by King Mahasena of Anuradhapura (273–301). With the destruction and abandonment of anuradhapura kingdom in the 11th century, the stupa with others was covered by jungle. King Parakramabahu in the 12th century tried to renovate this stupa and it was rebuilt to the current height, a reduction from the original height. Today it stands at 71 metres (233 ft).
Isurumuniya Temple
There are several carvings at the Isurumuniya, the most famous one being the Isurumuniya Lovers dating back to the 6th Century.
Abhayagiri Vihara
Abhayagiri is the largest monastery complex in the Anuradhapura kingdom for it covers an area of 200 hectares.
Ranmasu Uyana
The Ranmasu Uyana is a forty-acre royal garden located between the Isurumuniya monastery and the Tissa Wewa.
Nuwara Wewa
05 minutes walk form the hotel to Nuwara Wewa.It is the largest of the three man made reservoirs in Anuradhapura.
Safari in Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu meaning “Land of Lakes” is a largest national park in Sri Lanka. The unique feature of this park is the existence of “Willus” (natural lakes) – natural, sand-rimmed water basins or depressions that fill with rainwater. Nearly one hundred and six lakes (Willu) and tanks are found spread throughout Wilpattu. Wilpattu is the largest and one of the oldest national parks in Sri Lanka. Wilpattu is world-renowned for its leopard population. Distance from Aryana hotel – 42 km and 30 min. by a vehicle.
Dambulla Cave Temple
Dambulla cave temple, also known as the Golden Temple of Dambulla is a World Heritage Site in Sri Lanka, situated in the central part of the country. This site is situated 63 kilometres south of Anuradhapura.
Dambulla is the largest and best-preserved cave temple complex in Sri Lanka. There are a total of 153 Buddha statues, three statues of Sri Lankan kings and four statues of gods and goddesses.
Mihintale
Mihintale is a Buddhist pilgrimage site and religious complex located approximately 13 kilometres east of Anuradhapura
Sigiriya Rock Fortress
Sigiriya or Lion Rock is an ancient rock fortress located near the town of Dambulla in the Central Province, Sri Lanka. It is a site of historical and archaeological significance that is dominated by a massive column of rock approximately 180 metres (590 ft) high.
The capital and the royal palace were abandoned after the king’s death. It was used as a Buddhist monastery until the 14th century. Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning.
Ritigala monastery.
Ritigala is a mountain in central Sri lanka which is home to an ancient Buddhist monetary. The ruins and rock inscriptions of the monastery date back to the 1st century BC. It is located 43 km (27 mi) away from the ancient monastic city of Anuradhapura.
Minneriya National Park
Minneriya National Park – Is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938.The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts.
The Avukana Buddha Statue
The Avukana statue is a standing statue of the Lord Buddha near Kekirawa in North Central Sri Lanka. The statue, which has a height of more than 46 feet (14 m), was carved out of a large granite rock face during the 5th century. It depicts a variation of the Abhaya mudra, and the closely worn robe is elaborately carved. Constructed during the reign of King Dhatusena, it may have been made as a result of a competition between a master and a pupil. The Avukana statue is one of the best examples of a standing statue built in Sri Lanka. It is now a popular tourist attraction.
