Abhayagiri Dagoba
The heart of a once-great monastic city that housed thousands of monks, its huge restored stupa surrounded by the ruins of shrines, ponds and refectories.
Abhayagiri is the quieter, wilder half of ancient Anuradhapura, and for some people the more rewarding one. Once it was one of the greatest monastic cities in the Buddhist world, home to thousands of monks and a centre of learning that drew pilgrims from across Asia, and its huge red-brick stupa still rises above the trees, less polished than the famous white domes nearby but somehow more atmospheric for it.
What makes this corner special is how spread out and green it is. Around the stupa lie the ruins of the whole monastery, and within a short walk you will find real gems, the serene Samadhi Buddha, one of the finest statues in the country, and the Kuttam Pokuna, a pair of beautifully built ancient bathing ponds with an ingenious old filtration system. You can wander for an hour or two here and often have stretches of it almost to yourself.
It is part of the wider Anuradhapura sacred city, which is flat, hot and large, so the sensible way to see it is by bicycle, rolling between the monuments in the cool of the morning. Dress modestly and take your shoes off at the stupa, carry water, and start early before the heat builds. Give the Abhayagiri area a good couple of hours, and pair it with Ruwanwelisaya and the Sri Maha Bodhi to round out the day.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Covered by the Anuradhapura sacred city ticket, around USD 25
- Opening hours: Daylight hours
- Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hours
- Best time: Early morning, before the heat
Getting there
In the northern quarter of the sacred city.
Before you go
- Rent a bicycle. The sacred city is flat and spread out, and Abhayagiri's ruins cover a lot of ground.
- Do not miss the Samadhi Buddha statue and the Kuttam Pokuna twin ponds, both a short walk from the stupa.
- Start early, dress modestly and take your shoes off at the stupa. Carry water, as it gets hot and shade is patchy.
- It is covered by the Anuradhapura sacred city ticket, so see it alongside Ruwanwelisaya and the Sri Maha Bodhi.
Frequently asked questions
- What is Abhayagiri?
- The ruins of one of ancient Anuradhapura's greatest monasteries, centred on a huge red-brick stupa. It was once home to thousands of monks and a major seat of Buddhist learning.
- What should I see around it?
- The Samadhi Buddha, considered one of the finest ancient statues in the country, and the Kuttam Pokuna, a pair of elegant old bathing ponds, are both close by.
- How much does it cost?
- It is inside the Anuradhapura sacred city, so it is covered by the general ticket, around USD 25 for foreign visitors, rather than charged separately.
- How do I get around?
- By bicycle. The site is flat but large and hot, and a bike makes linking Abhayagiri with the other stupas easy and pleasant.