Ruwanwelisaya In Anuradhapura – A Remarkable White Beauty!

Have you always loved visiting a monument or been blown away by an architectural beauty? Then Sri Lanka will just stun you. This country is home to many beautiful attractions with great architecture in form of temples and monuments. One such hidden gem of Sri Lanka is Ruwanwelisaya in Anuradhapura, the second biggest stupa in the city. I am sure you would start planning your Sri Lanka vacation at the end of this article with Ruwanwelisaya in it, as a must-visit.

Ruwanwelisaya in Anuradhapura

Ruwanwelisaya is one of the tallest Buddhist stupas with a height of 103 m and the most calming places in Sri Lanka. Been built in 140 BC by King Dutugamunu, this place has been a major tourist attraction housing some precious relics of Gauthama Buddha. There is even a statue of King Dutugamunu at the eastern entrance of Ruwanwelisaya. Interestingly, some say that the structure of the stupa came from the view of a bubble floating on the water.

The structure represents the teachings of Buddha where the dome shows the vastness of the doctrine, the square on the dome stands for the four noble truths, the eight concentric rings for the Noble Eightfold Path and the large crystal for enlightenment. Also, this attraction takes its place in Solosmasthana and the Atamasthana. Though Ruwanwelisaya was a ruin in the 19th century, the stupa was renovated and the beauty has been brought back in the 20th century. So, when in Sri Lanka, make sure to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Things to know about Ruwanwelisaya

Location – Abhayawewa Road, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

How to reach – You can reach Ruwanwelisaya in Anuradhapura by taking a taxi or tuk-tuk from all the other cities in Sri Lanka. The nearest airport to this Buddhist airport is Bandaranaike International Airport. Especially, if you are travelling from Colombo, there are two main routes through Puttalam and Kurunegala. Of which, the Puttalam route is a scenic one and Kurunegala is the most common route.

Distance from Anuradhapura – 5 km.

Timings – 7 AM – 5.30 PM.

Entry fee – It is around 5000 LKR for foreigners. However, for all nationals of South Asia, it is 2500 LKR.

Other names – Mahathupa, Ran Welisaya, Swarnamali Chethiya & Rathnamali Dagoba.

Tips before visiting

• Plan your visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to wander around peacefully to avoid sunburn.
• The entry ticket gives access to all the historical sites except Maha Bodhi & Isurumuniya.
• It is always recommended to wear white when visiting Ruwanwelisaya in Anuradhapura.

Stunning indeed. Who wouldn’t say no to visiting places which offer such positive vibes besides offering magnificent views of architecture? Moreover, this place remains to be one of the most beautiful structures not only in Anuradhapura but in the whole of Sri Lanka. So make sure you visit this place on your vacation to Sri Lanka. What next? Looking for Sri Lanka vacation packages? Head out to the Pickyourtrail and choose your itinerary. Our travel experts will help you plan your much-needed vacation to Sri Lanka.