Importance of Anuradhapura

Atamastana –The eight sacred places

*Jayasrimaha Bodhiya

*Mirisaweti Stupa

*Ruwanweliseya

*Thuparamaya

*Abhayagiriya

*Jethawanaramaya

*Lovamahapaaya

*Lankaramaya

Jayasrimaha Bodhiya

Jayasrimaha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree in Anuradhapura,Srilanka..It is said to be a sapling from the historical Bodhi tree under which Buddha became enlighted.It was planted in 288 BC and is said to be the southern branch of Srimaha Bodhi Buddhagaya India.

And this is the oldest living human planted tree in the world with a known planting date.The sacred tree brought by the ven.Sangamitta the,sister of ven,Arahat Mahinda who introduced Buddha’s teaching in to Srilanka..King Devanam piyatissa gave his royal patronage the establishment of this holy tree in the ground of the holy city Anuradhapura…………..

Modern Anuradhapura

Sanda Hiru Seya

The triumphant Stupa

The government has planned to erect nine monumental stupas in each province of the country in appreciation of the noble service rendered by the armed forces and the police to defeat terrorism and bring lasting peace to the country..

·     As the 1^st phase of the project construction of the 1 ^st stupa in the ancient city of Anuradhapura is being underway on the directions of the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.

Transport And Currency Of Anuradhapura

Transportation Modes: People used much common transportation modes to move from one place to another.Their needs were not much complicated  like today.So they used Carts, Bullock carts ,Pack animals and royal families used palanquins ,horses ,elephants and ordinary people used their foots to walk miles and miles.

Currency : Currency was often used for settling judicial fines, taxes and payments for goods or services. However remuneration for services to the king. Officials and temples were often made in the form of land revenue. The oldest coins found at A/pura date up to 200 BC.These earliest coins were punch marked rectangular pieces of silver known as Kahavanu.

These eventually became circular in shape which were  in turned followed by die struck coins.Uncoined metals , particularly gold and silver were used for trade as well.Patterns of horses, elephants ,Swastika and Darmachakra were commonly imprinted on the coins of this period………..

Occupations in early Anuradhapura

Occupations in early Anuradhapura.

The most prominent & ever most occupation of early Rajarata dwellers is nothing but Agriculture. The soil, nature, climate, resources, human strength and all were designed for the main occupation ,agriculture.(paddy & chena cultivations)

But the records reveal that from very early history people engaged themselves in industries involved in gems ,pearls, bronze ,carpentry ,textiles ,weaving and handloom, sculpture ,murals & terracotta.

Products thus turned out had to be sold through traders and next link of the economic development chain was the establishment of trade.

There is ample historical evidence to suggest that from very early period in the history foreign traders were visiting Srilanka and people had crossed the sea to trade goods.

Some of the trade materials are………………

#  Pearls

#  gems

# Ivory &Ivory products

# Spices

#Liquor
#Cotton textiles

# Elephants

#Tortoise

# Turtle

# Conch shells