Vessagiriya
Vessagiriya has been closely associated with Isurumuniya and considered one of the most important monastic establishment dedicated to the use of ascetic bhikkhus in the 2nd century BC. Traditionally the term Vaishya was used to refer to the class of people in Indian society who worked in agriculture and trade. The Vaishya comprises commoners from the business and merchant caste. Vessagiriya literally means ‘The rock shelters of the commoners’. Hence, it is commonly believed that the word Vessa-giriya derives from Sanskirit Vaishya (commoner) and Giri (mountain).
History
Vessagiriya nestles a few hundred meters left to the Isurumuniya on the old Anuradhapura-Kurunegala Road. This temple complex is located in and around three rock boulder formations across a large area overlooking the Tissa Wewa in Anuradhapura.
Vessagiriya’s history comes from the 3rd century Brahmi inscriptions left on the rock walls by bhikkhus, patrons and their lay devotees. Ancient chronicles reveal that having ordained 500 priests into the priesthood at Isurumuniya, Arahat Mahinda who brought Buddhism to the country in 150 BC, came to Vessagiriya and ordained another 500 Vaisyas.
Attractions
Apart from the drip-ledged caves, buildings constructed according to the traditions of panchavasa, ruins of a Bodhighara, and Chaitya, a chapter house as well as two cave temples depicting ancient paintings are found in Vessagiriya.
Close to a granite doorway is an inscription which reads ‘Isuru-Meni-Ro-Ipuluwan-Kasumbagiri- Vihara’. The Mahawamsa tells us that King Kasyapa gifted innumerable lands to Isurumuniya and Vessagiriya and built a hermitage, naming it after his daughters: Bo, Upulwan and himself, Kasumba.
Through a rock-hewn staircases, one can reach the larger boulders which gives panoramic views of Anuradhapura. On the top of the rocks, there are foundations of a small Chaithya (stupa) and remnants of brick wall structures.
The rocky cliffs bulging out above are intimidating and striking. For your safety, avoid venturing closer to the edge of the rocky overlooks that are not fenced. Vessagiriya is not frequently visited like other sights in Anuradhapura. But a short excursion to Vessagiriya yields a spiritual experience in ancient Buddhist asceticism for the visitors who prefers some solitude in a cave retreat. After spending an hour in the caves of Vessagiriya, one can envisage the sedentary life of hermits and bhikkhus who embraced the path to wards peace.
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Sri Maha BodhiyaJaya Sri Maha Bodhi on püha bo-puu Mahamewna aedades Anuradhapuras Sri Lankal. See on ajaloolise Sri Maha Bodhi lõunapoolne haru Buddha Gaya juures Indias, mille all Buddha saavutas valgustatuse. See istutati aastal 288 eKr ja on maailma vanim inimese istutatud puu, mille istutuskuupäev on teada.
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RuwanweliseyaRuwanweli Maha Seya, tuntud ka kui Mahathupa (Suur Thupa), on stuupa (poolkerakujuline ehitis, mis sisaldab säilmeid) Anuradhapuras Sri Lankal. Stuupas on hoiul kaks liitrit ehk üks dona Buddha säilmeid, mis teeb sellest suurima tema säilmete kogu üldse. Selle ehitas singalite kuningas Dutugemunu umbes 140. aastal eKr, kellest sai Sri Lanka kuningas pärast sõda, milles tšola kuningas Elāra (Ellalan) sai lüüa.
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ThuparamayaThuparamaya on esimene budistlik tempel, mis ehitati pärast mahinda thero (mahindagamanaya) saabumist Sri Lankale. Mahamewna pargi pühas piirkonnas asuv Thuparamaya stuupa on saare vanim dagoba, mis pärineb kuningas Devanampiya Tissa valitsemisajast (247–207 eKr). Valitsus on templi ametlikult tunnustanud Sri Lanka arheoloogilise leiukohana.
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LovamahapayaLovamahapaya on hoone, mis asub Ruwanweliseya ja Sri Mahabodiya vahel iidses Anuradhapura linnas Sri Lankal. Seda tuntakse ka Brazeni palee või Lohaprasadayana, kuna katus oli kaetud pronkskividega. Muistsel ajal kuulusid hoonesse söögisaal ja uposathagara (Uposatha maja).
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Abhayagiri DagobaAbhayagiri Vihāra oli Sri Lankal Anuradhapuras asuv mahajaana, theravaada ja vadžrajaana budismi peamine kloostripaik. See on üks maailma ulatuslikumaid varemeid ja üks riigi pühamaid budistlikke palverännakute linnu.
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JetavanaramayaJetavanarama stuupa ehk Jetavanaramaya on stuupa ehk budistlik relikviamälestis, mis asub Jetavana kloostri varemetes UNESCO maailmapärandi nimistusse kuuluvas Anuradhapura linnas Sri Lankal. 122 meetri (400 jala) kõrgusega oli see maailma kõrgeim stuupa ja suuruselt kolmas ehitis maailmas, kui selle ehitas Anuradhapura kuningas Mahasena (273–301).
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Mirisawetiya stuupaMirisaweti stuupa on mälestushoone ehk stuupa, mis asub iidses Anuradhapura linnas Sri Lankal. Kuningas Dutugamunu (161 eKr – 137 eKr) ehitas Mirisaveti stuupa pärast kuningas Elara alistamist. Pärast Buddha säilmete asetamist valitsuskeppi läks ta Tissa Wewasse pesema, jättes valitsuskepi sinna.
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LankaramaLankarama on kuningas Valagamba ehitatud stuupa, mis asub iidses paigas Galhebakadas Anuradhapura kuningriigis Sri Lankal. Stuupa iidse kuju kohta pole midagi teada ja hiljem see renoveeriti. Varemetest on näha kivisammaste ridu ja pole kahtlustki, et stuupa ümber (vatadage) on ehitatud maja, mis seda kattis.
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IsurumuniyaIsurumuniya on budistlik tempel, mis asub Tissa Wewa (Tisa veehoidla) lähedal Anuradhapuras Sri Lankal. Selles viharas on neli erilist huvipakkuvat nikerdust. Need on Isurumuniya armastajad, elevanditiik ja kuninglik perekond. Iidset Meghagiri viharat ehk Meygiri viharat tuntakse praegu Isurumuni viharana.
