Lankaramaya
North Central Province
About Lankaramaya
Lankaramaya is Anuradhapura at whisper volume: a modest white stupa built by King Vattagamini Abhaya (Valagamba) in the 1st century BC, standing in a quiet quarter of the ancient city ringed by the slender stone pillars of its lost vatadage - the circular roofed shrine that once sheltered the dome entirely. Where Ruwanwelisaya overwhelms and Jetavana stupefies, Lankaramaya charms: the pillars lean at gentle angles, frangipani drops its flowers on the sand terrace, and visits happen in ones and twos rather than busloads. Tradition ties the shrine to the king's years in hiding during the Tamil occupation that briefly cost him his throne - the monastery names of this quarter remember his queens and loyalists. For photographers, the pillar rings at golden hour rival Thuparamaya's with a tenth of the company; for pilgrims doing the full atamasthana (eight sacred places) circuit, it is a required, restful station.
Top Activities
- ✓The stupa and vatadage pillar ring
- ✓Atamasthana pilgrimage circuit
- ✓Golden-hour photography
- ✓Quiet meditation on the terrace
- ✓Combine with Abhayagiri's quarter
Nearby Attractions
Travel Tips
Fold it into a bicycle loop of the Abhayagiri quarter.
Late light through the pillars makes the photograph.
Sarongs/modest dress as at every stupa terrace.
Quick Info
Best Time
May to September; golden hour
Weather
Hot; the terrace is small and quickly enjoyed at midday.
Estimated Daily Budget
8.3575°N, 80.3892°E
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