Abhayagiriya Stupa, Anuradhapura

Located in the sacred city of Anuradhapura, Abhayagiriya Stupa stands as one of the most magnificent monuments from Sri Lanka’s ancient past. Abhayagiriya was built by King Valagamba in the 1 st century BC. After regaining his throne, the king constructed this grand stupa as an act of gratitude and devotion to Buddhism. Once a great center of Buddhist learning and meditation, Abhayagiriya is not only a religious site but also a symbol of the island’s golden age of architecture and faith.

At its height, Abhayagiri Stupa stood at around 100 meters making it one of the tallest monuments in the ancient world, comparable to the Egyptian pyramids. Even in its ruined state today, the sheer scale and craftsmanship of the stupa leave visitors in awe. The site includes monastery ruins, stone carvings and moonstones that showcase the artistic excellence of ancient Sri Lankan builders.