Located right in the centre of the Cultural Triangle and birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, the ancient and sacred city of Anuradhapura is one of the country’s most historically rich places and is a must-visit destination.
Situated in Anuradhapura itself and easily accessible to plenty of sites around, look no further than Uga Ulagalla if you’re wondering where to stay! Experiencing this city steeped in culture and heritage is made effortless with Uga Ulagalla.
Why Choose Uga Ulagalla?
An expansive high-end property spanning over 58 acres, Uga Ulagalla is tucked away in the village of Thirapanne, boasting of lush greenery as far as the eye can see, numerous ponds and streams, and is nestled among two beautiful reservoirs. It’s seeped in luxury and is ideal for a lavish getaway in this ancient city.
If you’re a history enthusiast, you’ll love staying here; going back to the 1900s, the land was once a majestic ancestral home to the village chieftain! Preserving its heritage, the property has been painstakingly restored with the surrounding environment remaining as unscathed as possible. As such, you’ll see the 150-year-old mansion still standing today at the heart of the property. Undoubtedly, once you get to Uga Ulagalla, you are almost immediately transported back in time!
In true Sri Lankan fashion, you are welcomed with the traditional “Ayubowan”, big smiles and 2 traditional welcoming rituals that are unique to Uga Ulagalla and date back to the chieftain’s time; yet another reason why you’ll want to experience the magic of this property for yourself.
Accommodation at Uga Ulagalla
Ulagalla’s accommodations are made up of 25 luxurious, large villas, all with their own pool! We had the amazing experience of staying in a Deluxe One Bedroom Pool Villa, which features an exquisite bedroom and bathroom, an incredible living room, a nature-immersed deck and of course, a plunge pool where you can enjoy a delectable floating breakfast!
Places To Visit In Anuradhapura
There is no shortage of places to visit in Anuradhapura, meaning you’ll definitely need a few days to thoroughly explore and discover what this city has to offer. With the help of Uga Ulagalla’s excellent staff, you can do this with their learned tour guides and even have little picnics while you soak in the history and culture brimming in Anuradhapura.
1. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Known as the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple is home to the sacred Bodhi Tree. The sapling of this tree was brought from North India by King Devanampiyatissa and was planted in 288 BC, making it the oldest tree with a known date of planting.
At Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, you’ll find countless pilgrims from all over the country and world flocking here to worship and meditate.
2. Brazen Palace or Lovamahapaya
Built by King Dutugemunu, the Brazen Palace or Lovamahapaya was once a soaring 9 stories. The site was a monastery as well as a university where monks from around the globe would study Buddhism. What’s more, it’s believed that the plans for this grand construction were sent down from the heavens!
3. Ruwanweli Seya
Also known as the Mahathupa owing to its sheer size, the Ruwanweli Seya was a creation of King Dutugemu’s over 2500 years ago. Aside from the grandeur of this temple, Ruwanweli Seya attracts many visitors as it enshrines the largest collection of Lord Buddha’s relics anywhere in the world.
4. Thuparamaya
Covering nearly 3.5 acres, Thuparamaya or Thuparama Seya is believed to be the first Stupa built in Sri Lanka by King Devanampiyatissa. This sacred location enshrines the relic that is Lord Buddha’s right collar bone.
5. Abhayagiri Stupa
Rising up to an incredible 245 ft., the Abhayagiri Dagaba was built by King Valagamba during the 1st century BC and was a monastery that house 5000 monks!
6. Elephant Pond
In ancient times, this vast pond is where the 5000 monks from the Abhayagiri Monastery would bathe. The Elephant Pond is quite an impressive structure that stands at 9 meters deep, takes in water from the nearby tank, and even has a filtration system.
7. Jetawanaramaya
Once standing at a whopping 400 ft. tall (before its top was knocked off) and built by King Mahasen, Jetavanaramaya is the largest dagaba in Sri Lanka and used to be the largest structure in South East Asia.
8. Abhaya Wewa
The Abhaya Wewa was the first reservoir to be built in Sri Lanka. In the scorching heat and dry land of Anuradhapura, reservoirs are of immense importance because without them, it would’ve been a challenge for the city and its people to thrive.
9. Ritigala Kanda
Hidden away in the mountainous terrain of Ritigala Kanda is Ritigala Forest Monastery, one of Sri Lanka’s oldest monasteries.
The micro-climate alongside the endemic flora found at Ritigala is quite unique as they are much different to what you’d find in the surrounding areas. In order to make the most of this experience at the Ritigala Mountain and Monastery, we’d certainly recommend asking the staff at Ulagalla to arrange this excursion!
Things To Do At Uga Ulagalla
While there are countless places to visit in Anuradhapura, there’s plenty of actives to do at Ulagalla itself!
1. Become One with Nature at The Two Reservoirs
2. Sip On a Drink at The Observatory
3. Indulge in A Hearty Sri Lankan Meal at Kamatha
4. Pick Out Ingredients from The Organic Garden for Your Lunch
5. Experience Ulagalla On Horseback
Final Thoughts
All in all, we had a truly magical experience at Uga Ulagalla. The luxurious property is perfect for honeymooners, or even for a lavish getaway. While staying here does usually fall on the pricier side of the spectrum, it’s absolutely worth every penny. (They’ve also got some amazing offers going on currently, so can enjoy some savings!)
Don’t forget to check out our vlog detailing our experience in Anuradhapura with Uga Ulagalla: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKqbOxKVoZk&t=209s
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