Temple of Tooth Anuradhapura

Long before the Sacred Tooth Relic came to rest in Kandy, it was safeguarded in Anuradhapura — Sri Lanka's first great capital and the spiritual heart of early Theravada Buddhism. The city's association with the relic spans centuries, and while no single intact structure from that era survives as a dedicated relic chamber, the sacred landscape of Anuradhapura still carries the weight of that history in its monasteries, stupas, and royal precincts.

What is the historical connection between Anuradhapura and the Sacred Tooth Relic?

According to historical chronicles — most notably the Mahavamsa and the Dathavamsa — the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha was brought to Sri Lanka from Kalinga in India, traditionally dated to the 4th century CE. It arrived during the reign of King Kithsirimevan and was received with great ceremony, quickly becoming the most politically and spiritually significant object in the kingdom.

In Anuradhapura, the relic was kept at Abhayagiri Monastery, one of the most powerful monastic complexes of the ancient world, and is also associated with the precincts of the Ruwanwelisaya complex. Possession of the relic was understood to confer legitimacy on a king — whoever held it, held the right to rule. As the capital shifted south and east over the centuries, the relic traveled with it, moving eventually to Polonnaruwa and, after further turbulent centuries, to Kandy, where it resides today in the Sri Dalada Maligawa.

Which sites in Anuradhapura are connected to the relic's history?

Anuradhapura's sacred zone is a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing dozens of monuments built and maintained across nearly a millennium of royal patronage. Several are directly linked to the relic's early custodianship.

• Abhayagiri Monastery: Founded in the 1st century BCE, Abhayagiri grew into one of the largest monastic universities in the ancient Buddhist world. Historical accounts place the relic here during key periods. The surviving dagoba at Abhayagiri stands around 75 metres tall and remains one of the most impressive ancient structures in South Asia.
• Ruwanwelisaya (Mahathupa): Built by King Dutugamunu in the 2nd century BCE, this great white stupa is among the most venerated in Sri Lanka. It is closely associated with early relic worship and draws pilgrims daily. The restored dome is visible from considerable distances across the flat northern plain.
• Jetavanaramaya: Once among the tallest brick structures in the ancient world, this stupa was part of a monastery complex that housed thousands of monks and served as a major centre of learning and relic veneration.
• Thuparamaya: Considered the oldest dagoba in Sri Lanka, Thuparamaya is said to enshrine the right collarbone of the Buddha, making it one of the earliest purpose-built relic chambers on the island.

Visiting these monuments as a group reveals how deeply the concept of relic protection shaped Anuradhapura's urban planning — the city was, in many respects, built around its sacred objects.

What can visitors see and experience in Anuradhapura today?

Modern Anuradhapura is a functioning pilgrimage city as much as an archaeological site. Sri Lankan Buddhist pilgrims arrive year-round, particularly on poya (full moon) days, lending the sacred precinct an atmosphere that purely ruined sites rarely achieve. Visitors will find monks, offerings of white lotus flowers, the smell of incense, and the sound of chanting alongside the ancient stonework.

The Archaeological Museum near the Ruwanwelisaya provides context for the objects found across the site, including moonstone carvings, guardstones, and inscribed slabs. The sacred Bo tree — the Sri Maha Bodhi — growing nearby is traditionally held to be a sapling of the original Bodhi tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment, brought to Sri Lanka by Sanghamitta Theri in the 3rd century BCE. It is among the oldest historically documented trees in the world.

For those interested in the broader monastic traditions of ancient Sri Lanka, stupas found across the island share architectural lineage with the great structures at Anuradhapura, and understanding that lineage enriches any visit to the city.

When is the best time to visit Anuradhapura?

Anuradhapura lies in Sri Lanka's dry zone, and the most comfortable visiting months are generally between December and April, when humidity is lower and rainfall minimal. The site can feel intense in midday heat — starting early in the morning is advisable year-round. Poya days attract large numbers of local pilgrims and offer a culturally rich experience, though the site can become very busy. The Esala Perahera Festival, celebrated in Kandy each July or August, has thematic links to the relic tradition that began in Anuradhapura, making a combined itinerary particularly resonant for those interested in the relic's full story.

How do I get to Anuradhapura from Colombo?

Anuradhapura is roughly 200 kilometres north of Colombo. By road, the drive typically takes around three to four hours depending on traffic and the route taken. Trains run from Colombo Fort station to Anuradhapura, with journey times of around four hours on express services. A private transfer is the most comfortable option for visitors with luggage or those combining the city with nearby sites such as Wilpattu National Park, which lies to the west and can be included in a day's itinerary with some planning. Anuradhapura also has a domestic airport with connections to Colombo's Ratmalana Airport.

What should visitors know before entering the sacred precincts?

Anuradhapura's sacred area requires an entrance ticket for foreign visitors, issued at designated booths near the main monuments. Modest dress is expected — shoulders and knees should be covered, and shoes must be removed before entering temple buildings and the Bo tree enclosure. Photography is generally permitted throughout the archaeological area, though restraint is appropriate near active worship. The site is large and spread across several kilometres; hiring a tuk-tuk or bicycle is a practical way to move between monuments rather than attempting everything on foot in the heat.