A journey both sacred and archaeological

By Chandani Kirinde

“Anuradhapura, the Sacred City”, the third volume in a series titled “The Wonder that is Sri Lanka”, by J.B. Disanayaka, Professor Emeritus of the University of Colombo was released recently.

The book aims at presenting the historical, religious and archaeological significance of the monuments at Anuradhapura, the royal capital of Sri Lanka for over 15 centuries.

Readers are taken on a journey through the eight holy places (atamastana) as well as introduced to some of the sculptural art such as the Samadhi Statue, the guardstones, the moonstones and Isurumuni lovers giving details of their origins as well as their archaeological significance.

The book is in colour with illustrations of the stupas by Anura Srinath.

The book begins with the first of the “atamastana”, the oldest historic tree in the world, “Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya” giving details of the arrival of the ‘Bo’ sapling in Sri Lanka as well as the beliefs attached to it, the various names by which the sacred tree is called etc.

Details on the Ruvanveli Seya, the Jetavana Stupa, Abhayagiri Stupa, Thuparama, Lankarama, Mirisaveti Stupa and the Lova Maha Paya are also included.

Professor Disanayaka quotes from the “Mahavamsa” as well as from writings of Chinese pilgrim Fa Hsien, to enlighten the readers on these important places.

Any visitor to Anuradhapura should not go there without this book in hand. Although Professor Disanayaka calls it a series of booklets for children, there are many facts in this book as well as the two preceding ones that even adults will find interesting and informative.