Anuradhapura is an ancient city, located in northern Sri Lanka and is the capital of North-Central province. Anuradhapura was the first capital of Sri Lanka and remained so until 8th century AD. Anuradhapura is home to several monuments of historical importance and the city is considered holy by the Buddhists. The city boasts of many Dagobas (a Dagoba is dome enshrining sacred relics or the bodily remains of the Buddha, and articles used by Him like the alms bowl). The earliest Dagobas had unique stone umbrellas on top of the dome instead of the usual spire. A branch of the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya in India under which the Buddha attained enlightenment was brought to Sri Lanka during the 3rd century BC by princess Sanghamitta, the daughter of Emperor Asoka. It was planted in Anuradhapura and is venerated to this day by the Buddhists from many countries of the world.

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