The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree, or Ficus religiosa, that stands in the Mahamewna Gardens in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Not only is it the closest authentic living link to Gautama Buddha, it is also the oldest human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date and a recorded history.
Brazen Palace (Lowamahapaya) This is the site of nine-story monastic structure built in the 2nd century BC by King Dutugmunu. The structure is said to have had a refectory, assembly hall, and chapter house, as well as a roof covered in bronze tiles (hence the name "Brazen palace").
The Ruwanweliseya is sited in the Ancient Sinhala capital of Anuradhapura in the North Central Province of Sri Lanka. It was built by King Dutugamunu (137 BC โ 119 BC) and completed by his younger brother, King Saddhatissa, after his death. The Ruwanweliseya is ranked among the tallest ancient monuments in the world.
At 122 metres (400 ft), it was the world's tallest stupa, and the third tallest structure in the world when it was built by King Mahasena of Anuradhapura (273โ301).
Kuttam Pokuna (twin ponds or pools) are well preserved old bathing tanks or ponds in Sri Lanka. This pair of ponds was built by the Sinhalese in the ancient Anuradhapura Kingdom. They form part of the Abhayagiri vihฤra complex and are an example of the works in the field of hydrological engineering, architecture and art of the ancient Sinhalese.
The Samadhi Buddha is a famous statue situated at Mahamevnฤwa Park in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. The Buddha is depicted in the position of the Dhyana Mudra, the posture of meditation associated with his first Enlightenment. This statue is 7 feet 3 inches in height and carved from dolomite marble.
Jethawanaramaya Stupa is one of the most iconic and sacred Buddhist monuments in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, built during the reign of King Mahasena. Once rising over 120 meters, it was among the tallest brick structures in the ancient world and a major center for Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist learning. Today, Jethawanaramaya remains an important pilgrimage site, admired for its immense scale, historical significance, and timeless architectural beauty.
Abhayagiri Main Refectory โ Explore the ancient dining hall of the magnificent Abhayagiri Monastery, where thousands of monks were once served meals. See the impressive stone rice trough, known as the โBath Oruwa,โ and discover fascinating insights into the daily life and advanced organization of ancient Buddhist monks in Anuradhapura.
The Elephant Pond (Eth Pokuna) in Anuradhapura is a massive ancient reservoir built during the reign of the kings in Sri Lanka's historical Anuradhapura Kingdom. Measuring approximately 159 meters in length, 52 meters in width, and 9.5 meters in depth, it was used to supply water to the nearby monasteries. The pond's name likely comes from its enormous size, suggesting it could even accommodate elephants. A testament to ancient Sri Lankan engineering, the pond highlights the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the era's hydraulic systems
Over time, the architects of the Anuradhapura kingdom used stone, instead of wood, for the construction of guard stones, moonstones and balustrades, as stone was a more enduring material. The next stage in the evolution of the guard stones was the inclusion of carvings.
Sandakada Pahana, also known as Moonstone, is a unique feature of the architecture of ancient Sri Lanka. It is an elaborately carved semi-circular stone slab, usually placed at the bottom of staircases and entrances.
Thuparamaya Stupa, located in the sacred city of Anuradhapura, is considered the oldest stupa in Sri Lanka, dating back to the 3rd century BC. Built by King Devanampiya Tissa, it enshrines the sacred collarbone relic of Lord Buddha, making it a revered site for Buddhists. The stupa's bell-shaped design and surrounding stone pillars reflect the elegance of ancient Sri Lankan architecture. As the first stupa constructed after the introduction of Buddhism to the island, Thuparamaya holds immense historical and religious significance.
This man is without doubt the best guide I ever had! He felt like he was a friend from the start. He gave a lot of information, was fluent in English and was very funny. I would recommend him to everybody!!
Navin was a great guide from start to finish. Very knowledgeable and friendly. I would highly recommend doing this tour as there is a lot more to see than we thought. Very good value for money. We were picked up direct from our hotel in his tuk tuk. Early to beat the heat is best. Thanks Navin.
We had the best day with Navin doing the Anuradhapura tour. We have travelled a lot and every so often you meet a guide who you will remember for a long time - this is Navin! We learnt so much from him about history, culture and Buddhism and had an absolute blast on the way. He made the tour entertaining and memorable - we loved it. We definitely recommend booking a guide as then you can fully understand and appreciate what you are looking at (no signs explaining this on the way so really glad we booked a tour).
Great tour with Navin! He is a man of taste for history and knows a lot about the places we visited. He also has a good sense of humor.
We have had an amazing day with the tour of Navin. He was very enthousiast and open about living in Sri lanka and explained interesting information about the culture and history of the city Anuradapura. We had a lovely time and laughed a lot. He made us look to the city in a different more interesting way and recconmended nice places for coffees, diners and other hotels across the country. We will definitely recommend Navin and worth the money for this great tour.
We had a super fun time with Navin. We laughed a lot but also got to learn a lot about Buddhism, the culture and history of the city. Not one dull moment and only good wibes!!
We had a wonderful tour of Anuradhapura today with our guide, Navin. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience really enjoyable. He showed us the beautiful highlights of the ancient city and shared lots of interesting information about the history and culture of the area. Navin was also very helpful, patient, and made sure we had a great day. We really enjoyed exploring Anuradhapura with him and would happily recommend him to anyone visiting Sri Lanka. Thank you, Navin, for a lovely day!
We had a great time seeing Anuradhapura with Navin! He explained everything very well and was a really fun guide, without him we wouldnโt have known so much. Definitely recommend!
We had the most amazing 2 days with Navin! The 1st day we booked a tour to visit Anuradaphura. Heโs a very flexible & open guide. He showed us around & had a really interesting way of storytelling. He also took us to the market to buy some fruits & afterwards we had lunch with him at a local place. We enjoyed ourselves so muchโฆ We had to book another tour with our friend. The next day we did the Wilpattu safari with him. At first we didnโt see the leopards. However we had the best time because of Navin. We couldnโt stop talking & laughing!! The lunch, made by our driverโs family, was delicious. At the end we were really lucky & got to see a leopard up close. During these two days he really became like a friend to us. We loved the โwibesโ (vibes) so much! Hope to see you again soon, Navin.โค๏ธ
Navin is a very friendly and enthousiastic guide. It was really hot te day we booked our tour and he made sure we had enough cold water, he also made a stop for a snack for us. I would really recommend Navin as a guide for Anuradhapura!
We had a lovely time with Navin! We would absolutely recommend this tour! Itโs more then just seeing the highlights of Anuradhapura. Navin takes you into the Sri Lankan culture and history. Thankyou so much!
We had an excellent tour with Navin who was both great fun and very informative. Although the ancient sites were very busy as it was school holidays he led us around very professionally and was very happy to answer any questions. Very highly recommend.
Navin is a 10/10 tour guide! Not only does he know a lot of interesting facts, but he also presents the information in a fun and engaging way. Definitely not like the boring history teacher we all had at some point. The tour covered all the highlights, but there was also time to make a few pit stops to see the monkeys and try some local snacks. I would especially recommend him if you're from the Netherlands. As Navin says himself, he's half Dutch ;) Thanks again Navin! We had a wonderful day
We had the best experience with Navin! If you are in Anuradhapura, definitely book this tour (or one of his other tours). Navin picked us up and dropped us off with his tuktuk, was extremely kind and interesting, and could tell us everything about the many places we visited. He loves his work and that truly shows, he shares his culture and is eager to learn yours.
We had a lovely day with Navin! He told us a lot about the culture and history of Sri Lanka and made us feel so welcome. With all his jokes and kind personality the 5 hours of the tour went so fast! Definitely would recommend!
We had a lovely day with Navin! He told us a lot about the culture and history of Sri Lanka and made us feel so welcome. With all his jokes and kind personality the 5 hours of the tour went so fast! Definitely would recommend!
We had such a great time with Navin. He is very friendly, easy to talk to and knows a lot about Anuradhapura, its history and Buddhism. He explains everything in a relaxed and interesting way and really takes the time to answer your questions. What made the tour even better was his sense of humor. He knew quite a few Dutch words, sayings and jokes, which made us laugh a lot throughout the day. Communication through WhatsApp was also very easy and clear. Besides the tour, he gave us some great tips for local restaurants and other activities in the area. We learned a lot, laughed a lot and had a really fun and interesting tour. Definitely recommend Navin if you are visiting Anuradhapura!
At the suggestion of Navim we did the afternoon tour instead of the morning. First we were a bit surprised by this but it was really a good idea. It allowed to escape most of the heat and the atmosphere around the Stupas was really great at sunset. Overall a very good experience. Also our teenage daughters were captivated by Navim's enthousiasm and really enjoyed the tour.
We had such a great time exploring Anuradhapura with our guide! He picked us up in his tuk-tuk and showed us around both the Old Town and New Town. We learned A LOT about the history (and somehow remembered at least some of it ๐), but there was also plenty of laughing, joking and chatting along the way. He was super friendly, funny and easy to talk to. It honestly felt more like hanging out with a local friend than being on a tour. Definitely recommend him if you want to discover Anuradhapura in a fun and relaxed way! ๐
Great guide, communicates very well, is not rushing anything, athough there a serval sites in Anuradhapura to visit. Navin really wants to have you a great time and learn something about the rich cultural history of Buddism and Sri Lanka. We will never forget this tour!
We spent a very special day at Anuradhapura with lovely guide Navin! Could not have wished for beter guide! Knowledgeable, knows his way around and adapts the tour according to the needs of the cliรซnt. Even our two teenage children loved the tour filled with historical facts combined with fun activities. Definitely would recommend! We had a blast and also many laughs. Happy days!
We booked a private tour in Anuradhapura with Navin, and it was one of the highlights of our trip. Navin guided us through the religious sites of the ancient city and explained the history of Buddhism, the significance of the temples, and how the old city has been used by monks over the centuries. What impressed us most was his extensive knowledge and his ability to answer every question we had. Beyond the historical and religious aspects, he also shared fascinating insights into Sri Lankan culture and daily life, which gave us a much deeper understanding of the country. The best part of the tour, however, was Navin himself. He made the experience fun, engaging, and full of laughter. It felt less like a guided tour and more like exploring the city with a knowledgeable friend. We absolutely loved the experience and would highly recommend Navin to anyone visiting Anuradhapura! Thank you, Navin, for such a memorable day! ๐
Today we had an amazing tuk-tuk tour with Navin. He has extensive knowledge and gave us fascinating explanations about Buddhism and the history of the area. He also shared great local tips and helped us take some stunning photos along the way. We learned a lot and had a fantastic time. Highly recommended if youโre visiting Anuradhapura!
We had a fabulous time! Big recommendation to discover the new and old city and all of its history with Navin! Heโs full of energy, knows everything, knows how to keep various ages entertained โฆ what a way to get introduced to Sri Lanka! Andโฆ heโs the only guide who knows where to find the Climbing Elephantโฆ
We had a fabulous time! Big recommendation to discover the new and old city and all of its history with Navin! Heโs full of energy, knows everything, knows how to keep various ages entertained โฆ what a way to get introduced to Sri Lanka! Andโฆ heโs the only guide who knows where to find the Climbing Elephant.
Donโt hesitate to book this guide for your trip to Anuradhapura. Navin has a nice and positive energy, speaks English very well and has a lot of knowledge about the ancient city but also about buddhism and Sri Lankaโs history. Even mij two children (20 and 19 years) listened carefully to Navin. He was able to keep their attention by bringing different perspectives to the things we saw (cultural, religious, historical and facts, โฆ) Hรฉ manages to make a good connection to the diversity of our family. Boy, girl, gen Z en gen X, all having their particulier interests. This must have been the first time our kids truly enjoyed an archelogical site for more than 4 hours. A clear shout out and recommendation from us.
We had a really great time with Navin. He was a fantastic tour guide with an answer to all the questions you might have, a good sense of humor and great recommendations for the rest of your trip. So if you are looking for a guide that shows you the best places of Anuradapura and knows everything about the city and the rest of Sri Lanka, you are at the right place.
Fantastic tour of Anuradhapura with Navin! He speaks excellent English, is incredibly knowledgeable, and explains everything in a fun and engaging way. His energy and enthusiasm are truly contagious and made the tour even more enjoyable. We learned so much about the history and culture of Sri Lanka and saw the city from a completely different perspective. Friendly, professional, and passionate about what he does. We highly recommend Navin to anyone visiting Anuradhapura. Thank you for an unforgettable experience! ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐๐
We had an amazing tour in Anuradhapura with Navin! First of all, he was very friendly (and funny, also important๐). Furthermore, he told us some very interesting stories about the culture, religion, locations and nature, while visiting all of the amazing spots. We would really recommend this tour to anyone! Sthuthi Navin!๐
I would highly recommend Navan if you want to get to know Sri Lanka. He is a super friendly and passionate guide who knows everything about the history of Anuradhapura and Buddhism. We truly had a great afternoon! Greetings from your Scottish friend!
A very, very good guide. He knows a lot about Buddhism and speaks excellent English. It was a great experience, and I would definitely recommend it!
We had a lovely day with guide Navin in Anuradhapura! He is funny and knownledge and he adapts the tour to your wishes which we highly appreciated. Defenitely worth booking this tour! His dutch is also very good which made the tour even better ;)
We had an excellent tour, Navin was a great guide! He explained everything very well and took some really effort in providing the quality of the tour. We would totally recommend Navin to guide you!!
I can recommend the tour to everyone! You get to see all the beautiful places in Anuradhapura in detail. Additionally, Navin is very enthusiastic and explains things well.
A fabulous morning of cultural history, laughs and a fun Tuk Tuk ride with Navin. Would highly recommend this tour.
Awesome morning with Navin, he is friendly, funny and very knowledgable. Showed up exactly on time and we had a very relaxed tour. Would highly recommend Navin. We had a lot of laughs.
The tour with Navin was amazing! He knows a lot about the history and can tell you everything. He is also a very nice person and asks if you need anything. We had a very good experience for a whole afternoon and would recommend him to others.
Incredible experience with Navin at all levels ! The tour is super complete and enables you to discover everything about the sacred city of Anuradhapura, its history, culture, meanings, etc. Navin will be able to answer to all your questions about the history of Buddhism, and of Sri Lanka - he goes out of his way to make the tour unforgettable - we also rode his tuk tuk and tasted the bread from Sri Lankan typical rolling bakeries More than a great guide it was a real pleasure to meet Navin and share close to 5 hours with him Someone recommend us the tour with Navin and we are really glad we did! You can book without thinking about it twice From what I understand he can also guide you through other great sites in the region like Mihintale - if I had known I would have done the other tours with him too, so donโt hesitate to reach out Thank you again for everything Navin !!
This is a real winner! We had a really great time with Navin. We did the city tour on the first day and booked the safari with him afterwards, which was also absolutely perfect. He is incredibly helpful, interested, and talks really engagingly about everythingโof course about what you see, but also about how everything works in Sri Lanka. Just book him, because you will have a fantastic time! And believe me, we have absolutely no ulterior motive to write this. Have fun!
We had a fantastic experience with Navin in Anuradhapura. His English was fluent and easy to understand, and it was a pleasant surprise that he occasionally sprinkled in some Dutch and French expressions, which made the tour feel even more personal and engaging. He was incredibly friendly, smooth in his delivery, and simply a joy to spend the day with. The tour covered both the highlights within the ancient old city and interesting spots beyond it, giving us a well-rounded view of the area. What really stood out was his storytelling. He spoke extensively not only about the historical monuments we visited, but also shared fascinating insights into the daily life and culture of Sri Lankan people. It made the experience feel much deeper and more authentic. Additionally, he was very flexible and adapted the tour to our preferences, ensuring we got the most out of our time. We would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a knowledgeable, engaging, and accommodating guide in Anuradhapura.
We had a fantastic TukTuk tour today with Navin! He was very flexible and showed us beautiful temples and historical sites while sharing interesting information along the way. He was incredibly friendly, helpful, and made the whole experience really fun. We learned a lot but also laughed a lot โ the atmosphere was great the whole time. One of the highlights was that we even got a short private TukTuk driving lesson! ๐ This was our first day in Sri Lanka and it was truly a perfect start to our holiday. We would definitely do this tour with Navin again and can highly recommend him. Thank you for an amazing day!
The tour with Navin was really great! We visited the old and the new town and he could tell us a lot about the history and the culture. Not only does Navin know a lot about Anuradhapura, he also knows a lot about the Sri Lankan culture. He is also really flexible in the tour which is nice! We would definitely recommend :)
Navin is a very friendly and easy going person and a very knowledgeable guide. He speaks perfect English and even a bit of Dutch! We had a great afternoon. We learned a lot about the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Buddhism and also had nice conversations about live in Sri Lanka and back home and the differences and similarities. The Ancient city is worth a visit, it is beautiful. And being driven around in a TukTuk by Navin was so much fun! We highly recommend this tour!
Navin gave us a wonderful tour of Anuradhapura, covering both the old town and the new town. During the tour we visited several temples and historic Buddhist monuments. In total, we explored 12 different places. Navin is a very friendly and enthusiastic guide who is happy to share his knowledge about the history and culture of Sri Lanka. We had a great time learning, laughing, and experiencing the local culture. If you want to learn a lot while having a great time, we recommend Navin 100%! A special one for you, Navin: vooruit met de geit! ๐
Wonderful, great experience that we warmly recommend! Visiting Anuradhapura with Navin is a must do. All the explanations give much more sense that just visiting by yourself, and with Navin you see all the interesting parts of the city. One of our best guide ever ! Do not hesitate to contact him. A very nice and experimented young man ! Thank you Navin for this interesting and lovely afternoon!
We went on an afternoon trip with Navin to see the old and new town of Anuradhapura. It was beautiful and Navin knew all answers to the questions we threw at him. His English was perfect and he made a lot of jokes which created an open and warm feeling. Thanks again Navin for the amazing afternoon!
Perfect tour across Anurhadupuraโs historical sites! Navin is a very knowledgeable and fun host who made the tour truly unforgettable. Highly recommend!
This is just the perfect tour. Navin is very knowledgeable, but won't just dump the information on you. And there's enough time for jokes too, which we definitely appreciated ;) We saved up all our questions about Sri Lanka and Navin answered all of them. Definitely one of the highlights of our Sri Lankan journey.
Navin did a really great job showing us around in Anuradhapura! It was our first day and he was very kind to answer all of our questions about the sites, temples and culture. As a Bonus we saw a lot of animals during the tour and Navin gave us tons of recomondations for Restaurants and coffee. I can highly recommend this tour.
It was really nice to know more background information about the ancient city. Navin is a kind and funny man who knows a lot about te city and speaks English really well. He also took us to some local places to eat and drink something. Totally recommend this activity!
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