'Anuradhapura the Sacred City'

By Esther Williams

'Anuradhapura the Sacred City,' is the third in 'The Wonder that is Sri Lanka' series of booklets for children, depicting the island's cultural heritage. Written by J.B. Disanayaka the book gives a comprehensive coverage of all salient features of Anuradhapura, one of the greatest centres of the ancient Buddhist world and the first royal capital of the island kingdom.

Notably, the island's first map 'Taprobana' drawn by Greek Cartographer Ptolemy marks 'Anurogrammon' derived from Anuradha-gama the village on which the city was originally built, quite prominently. Together with details about the early Sinhala ambassadors that graced the court of Rome and the discovery of Roman coins, brings home the fact that Anuradhapura at one time flourished like the majestic cities of Athens and Rome.

The author further writes about the city's layout, considered one of finest in the ancient world. Today it houses the largest collection of Buddhist monuments and the much-revered Bodhi tree which Buddhists the world over pay pilgrimage to. Hence, the city of Anuradhapura the author says, is not lost or buried but one that still lives.

Plenty of interesting information is presented about the various monuments (stupas) - Ruvanvaeli Saeya, Jetavana Stupa, Abhayagiri Stupa amongst others and the history behind them. A colourful mention is made of the Anuradhapura Period that saw the beginning of Buddhist civilization, water management systems, literature, art and architecture, enhanced by skilful illustrations made by renowned artist, cartoonist and writer, Anura Srinath.

The glossy booklet priced at Rs. 200 and available in English and Sinhala would make a wonderful addition to a student's collection of historic books and to those interested in ancient cities.