Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Weather: Sun and a few passing clouds, 77/92F.

Route: From Mahabalipuram 1,335 km south on NH32, Colombo ferry, and B111.

Population: 50,595

Significance: In 300 BC a sapling was brought from India that was supposed to be from the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. That tree is still alive and is a object of worship even today. There are many other places of Buddhist veneration in the city as well.  Anuradhapura was the first capital of Sri Lanka.

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Images:

The Bodhi tree and temple (from whc.unesco.org)

Ruwanwelisaya, a stupa built in the 2nd century BC, it contains one of the largest collections of relics of the Buddha anywhere in the world (from whc.unesco.org)