Anuradhapura (Singhalese අනුරාධපුරය, there அனுராதபுரம) is a city in Sri Lanka, the administrative center of the North Central Province and Anuradhapura District. The population is about 63 thousand people (2011). Located on the river Aruvi. It consists of an “old city” (eng. Old City), in which the archaeological zone and several temples are located, and a “new city”, separated by a river, in which there are residential areas and a tourist zone. The resettlement to the new city was undertaken in the 1950s by the government in order to protect the archaeological sites.

History
Historical chronicles report that the first settlement on the site of the modern city arose in the 5th century BC. e. However, according to archaeological excavations, Anuradhapura has existed since at least the 10th century BC. e.. Согласно хроникам, город обязан своим расцветом царю Пандукабхайе (синг. பண்டுகாபயன்), в 377 до н. e. who chose Anuradhapura (called Anuradha) as the capital of the first Sinhalese kingdom on the island. The city had a clear layout; in the vicinity there was an extensive system of irrigation canals. For the water supply of the city, by order of the king, an artificial lake was built, which has survived to this day.

The location of the capital was chosen exceptionally well – the river connected the city with the coast of the Gulf of Manar, the network of roads – with the hinterlands of the island, and the coastal jungle protected from the raids of pirates and conquerors. Anuradha developed dynamically as a trading and religious center, it was from here that Buddhism spread throughout the island. Thanks to the influx of merchants and pilgrims, the city was widely known in the world, in particular, it is marked on the maps of Claudius Ptolemy. In 100 A.D. e. The population of Anuradha was 130,000 people, which put it in sixth place in the world in this indicator. The capital was famous for its high level of medicine and the attention paid by the city authorities to the cleanliness of the streets and waste disposal.

In the 11th century A.D. e. the city was destroyed by the rulers of the South Indian Tamil state of Chola who captured the island; subsequently, the capital of the Sinhalese state was moved to Polonnaruwa. Anuradhapura lost its political and economic importance, many residents left the city. However, it remained a destination for Buddhist pilgrims and an important religious center. Sri Lanka.
On May 14, 1985, LTTE militants hijacked a bus and occupied the bus station, firing machine guns at the passengers waiting for the buses. Then the militants headed towards the temple of the Mahabodhi tree, shooting monks and parishioners there. Then they entered Wilpattu National Park and shot 18 park workers. A total of 146 people died.

Geography and climate
Anuradhapura is located in the north of the central part of Sri Lanka, at an altitude of 81 meters above sea level, on the navigable (for small vessels) Aruvi River. To the west of the city lies a range of hills, serving as a watershed between the two shores of the island.
The climate of the city is subequatorial, with two rainy seasons (April-May and October-January). The driest month is June. Anuradhapura is one of the driest cities in Sri Lanka, relative humidity ranges from 50-75%, depending on the season and time of day.

Economy and transport
The basis of the city’s economy is the processing of agricultural products, handicrafts (wood carving), tourism and the service of Buddhist pilgrims.
Due to its favorable geographical location, Anuradhapura from ancient times to the present day has been the center of the intersection of roads connecting the main cities of the island. The railway connects the city with Colombo, the capital of the country. There is a small river port.

Sights
В старом городе Анурадхапуры и в окрестностях сохранились многочисленные памятники древности (внесены в список всемирного культурного наследия ЮНЕСКО) — колоколообразные ступы (дагобы) Тхупарама (III век до н. e.), Руанвели (II—I век до н. e.) с stone statues of Buddha; rock monastery Isurumuniya, palaces, artificial reservoirs. All these sights are located in the old city, from where in 1950 all the inhabitants were relocated to the new city.

A place of pilgrimage for Buddhists is the Mahabodhi tree and the Mahabodhi temple around it. Grown from a branch of the sacred Bodhi tree, located in the Indian city of Bodh Gaya, under which, according to legend, the Buddha found enlightenment, the Mahabodhi tree is the oldest tree in existence with a documented history. Later, the sacred Mahabodhi tree in Bodhgaya died several times, but was planted in its place. a new tree from the seed of the Mahabodhi tree in Anuradhapura.
In the 19th century, the main trunk of the Mahabodhi tree in Anuradhapura was cut down by an English fanatic, but a small trunk remained, which is now revered and held up with golden props.
Around the Mahabodhi tree there is a protected archaeological zone (the territory of the old city), in which there are numerous stupas and the remains of ancient monuments from the 4th century BC. e., в частности, буддийских монастырей. There is also an archaeological museum, which contains the most valuable sculptures.