Things to do in North Central Province, Sri Lanka: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites

August 6, 2021 Tambra Mccollister

Discover the best top things to do in North Central Province, Sri Lanka including Asokaramaya Pankuliya Temple, Wessagiriya, Ruwanwelisaya, Mihintale, Sri Maha Boodhi Temple, Somawathiya Chaitya, Medirigiriya Vatadage, Nellikulama Temple, Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya, Dambulla Cave Temple.
Restaurants in North Central Province

1. Asokaramaya Pankuliya Temple

Asokaramaya Road, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Excellent
100%
Good
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Asokaramaya Pankuliya Temple

2. Wessagiriya

Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka
Excellent
100%
Good
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Wessagiriya

Reviewed By anuruddhaHK - Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

Wessagiriya is a place which had been used by Buddhist monks for meditation in the times of ancient kings. Best to visit in morning or evening where the rocks are not heated. Nice place to visit with kids.

3. Ruwanwelisaya

Abhayawewa Rd, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka +94 25 2 222120 http://amazinglanka.com/wp/ruwanveli-maha-seya
Excellent
57%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 988 reviews

Ruwanwelisaya

At 300 feet, it is the third biggest stupa in Anuradhapura.

Reviewed By Mithila_kumarasinghe - Doha, Qatar

Ruwanwalisaya is a stupa sacrad to many Buddhist all over the world, It was built by King Dutugamunu, It is believed that the relics of the Buddha are enshrined with the stupa, which is the largest collection of his relics anywhere. Additional tips: * The Stupa quite busy during the poya days, * Men are required to wear long pants and women must cover their shoulders and were lose pants or skirts. * Parking available in walking distance. * Area quite hot during day time * Please protect the site.

4. Mihintale

Anuradhapura Sri Lanka
Excellent
67%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
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0%
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4.5 based on 1,383 reviews

Mihintale

Reviewed By malithadissa - Negombo, Sri Lanka

According to legend, it was at Mihintale – literally “Mahinda’s Hill” – that the Indian missionary Mahinda, met and converted King Devanampiyatissa in 247 BC, establishing Buddhism as the island’s state religion. Mahinda was the son of the great Mauryan emperor Asoka, sent by his father to bring word of the Buddha’s teachings to Sri Lanka. Buddhism was immediately embraced with fervour by the Sinhalese people and soon became firmly established in the island – unlike in India, its birthplace, where it would subsequently fall into terminal decline. Mihintale, on a higher plane All over the world, high places are given religious significance, with the result that devotees are always climbing steps. Sometimes on their knees. Mihintale is one such place, its various shrines connected by a total of some 1,840 steps that ultimately lead to the summit – steep enough to require deep breaths and a meditative pace. They were built in the reign of Bhathika Abhaya (22 BC–AD 7), although a later paved road provides a short cut up to the first level.there have so many histrionically place in here

5. Sri Maha Boodhi Temple

Anuradhapura Sri Lanka +94 77 783 5266 http://srimahabodhi.lk
Excellent
49%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 536 reviews

Sri Maha Boodhi Temple

Reviewed By 7SE3 - London, United Kingdom

This is a very sacred place for Buddhist all over.The Bo tree is venerated by all Buddhist. You need about half an hour here.

6. Somawathiya Chaitya

Polonnaruwa 51000 Sri Lanka
Excellent
63%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
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1%
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4.5 based on 112 reviews

Somawathiya Chaitya

Reviewed By ychampathit - Colombo, Sri Lanka

If you’re a nature lover and a photography enthusiast it is definitely a place to travel as it is filled with elephants, greenery, adventure trip of 1 hour, extreme rural Pagoda where world’s most respected tooth relic is stored.

7. Medirigiriya Vatadage

Polonnaruwa Sri Lanka
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 98 reviews

Medirigiriya Vatadage

Reviewed By danushkabm - Mawanella, Sri Lanka

Very Beautiful Ancient Buddhist Structure Builded using Rocks. This place located in a middle of a Forest but easy to Visit. Calm and quiet place.

8. Nellikulama Temple

Nellikulama, Anuradhapura Sri Lanka +94 25 4 920025
Excellent
45%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
5%
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4.5 based on 22 reviews

Nellikulama Temple

9. Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya

Thanthirimale Road Thanthirimale, Anuradhapura 50000 Sri Lanka +94 25 2 245047 http://amazinglanka.com/wp/thanthirimale
Excellent
73%
Good
27%
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4.5 based on 15 reviews

Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya

Reviewed By dileepaMadu - Colombo, Sri Lanka

1 hour drive from Anuradhapura, road condition is good. Best time is early in the morning until 10am to avoid heat. This has a Little Rock climbing to do so avoid heat yet elderly people too can reach. Exploration time is 1.5hours. Scenario ancient temple with ample parking. No entrance fee, guide is not required.

10. Dambulla Cave Temple

Jaffna Hwy, Habarana 50150 Sri Lanka +94 71 656 5000 http://panique.com.au/sigiriya/dambulla.html
Excellent
58%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 825 reviews

Dambulla Cave Temple

The Dambulla Cave Temple is located 24 km (30 min) from Sigiriya in central Sri Lanka. Built in about 80BC It is the largest and best preserved cave temple in Sri Lanka. Inside are 153 Buddha statues in various reposes, three statues of ancient kings, and four other statues including those of Vishnu and Ganesh. The ceiling and walls have been repainted over the centuries contain a juxtapose of imagery including those of royal life.

Reviewed By Holidaymad - Brentwood, United Kingdom

Although there are approx 300 steps from the car park up until the caves, it was definitely worth the climb. All 5 temples are very interesting, and have been lit in a way that compliments the statues, stupas and Buddhas. I would definitely recommend a visit here - it’s a very unique site and the history behind it is very interesting.

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