Sights of Isuruminiya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The stone stairway leading to the rock temple. Note the decorative 'moon-stone' at the base of the stairway and the 'guard stones' on either side of the beginning of the ascent..

The door-frames made of granite with etchings.

The statue of Lord Buddha with paintings.

A carved elephant on the wall.

Almost all the old carvings are in granite. The aesthetic sense in these are astounding.

Isurumuniya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

The pond in front of the rock-temple.

The rock-temple.

Probably only part of the 'Issaramana founded by King Tissa in the 3rd century BC. There is a cave, which must have sheltered monks during the early centuries of Buddhism, but many of the sculptures are not in fact religious in nature the sculptures themselves are, amongst the most beautiful works of art in Anuradhapura but what they represent is still debated by scholars.

On the eastern side of the rock next to the steps, is a pond. A cleft in the lock comes down to the water and on both sides of the fissure are Sculptures of elephants. Scholars have said that the group on the left is related to South Indian art of the Pallava period (i.e. 7^th century)

The artist has used the natural shape of the rock to the full arid has created a three dimensional effect in relief. Immediately opposite on the light, is another elephant carved in bas‑relief, which is a most amusing work of art. It seems to have been calved by a forerunner of Walt Disney. It is probably unfinished arid may be by the same sculptor as the elephants in the Royal Pleasure Gardens.

Above the elephants, calmly surveying the view, sits a man in a relaxed pose, with his right aim over his knee, a horse's head peers out from behind him. The identity of this figure is still a matter of controversy, but the best explanation so far is that it represents Aiyanar, a forest deity of Sri Lanka who tides on horseback, arid watches over humankind in the jungles. It is usually associated with elephants.(http://www.srilankanheritage.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11&Itemid=15&lang=en)

Artifacts, Jethavanaramaya, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka.

A magical incantation drawn on stone?

Engravings on stone for dice games?

Vertical etch marks on stone for keeping accounts?

Markings on stone for a donation?

The seven-headed cobra and dancing girls.

The 'Seven-headed Cobra' is much represented in stone carvings. It is claimed by some that a single headed cobra denotes a naga, a three-headed cobra represents a Naga Queen, a five-headed cobra represented a Naga King and a seven-headed cobra a Naga God. The Nagas seem to have played a very significant part in the Buddhist and Hindu religions in South Asia. They contributed much to the culture of the region thus the words 'Nagara' ('Naagar+aham' Dwelling of the Nagas), 'Naagariika' - to live like the Nagas, came into use. Their history is truly found 'in stone'. Genetically they contributed much to the present residents of the area. Nagas were claimed to be a mongoloid race. A yellowish skin color and a flat nose were their attributes. The fashion a generation ago of applying saffron ('Kaha' S- 'Manjal' T) to the skin by Sri Lankans maybe a bid to imitate the skin color. A flat nose did not contribute much to the beauty of the face. The habit of our grand-mothers of gently massaging and 'pulling the nose' of a new-born was an attempt to correct this anatomy, as embedded in our racial memory.

Jethavanaramaya and stone artifacts, Sri Lanka.

The Jetavanaramaya (Sinhala:ජේතවනාරාමය) is a stupa, located in the ruins of Jetavana Monastery in the sacred world heritage city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. King Mahasena (273-301 AD) initiated the construction of the stupa following the destruction of Mahavihara. His son Maghavanna I completed the construction of the stupa.^[1] A part of a sash or belt tied by the Buddha is believed to be the relic that is enshrined here.

The structure is significant in the island's history for it represents the tensions within the Theravada and Mahayana sects of Buddhist monks, it is also significant in world history as one of the tallest structures in the ancient world.^[2][3] The height of the stupa is 400 feet (122 m)^{[citation needed]} and was the tallest ancient stupa in the world, the structure is no longer the tallest however it is the largest with a volume of 233,000 m²(2,508,000 sq ft). At the time of its completion the structure was the third tallest structure in the world behind the Great Pyramids of Giza.^[2]Approximately 93.3 million baked bricks were used in its construction; the engineering ingenuity behind the construction of the structure is a significant development in the history of the island. The sectarian differences between the Buddhist monks also are represented by the stupa as it was built on the premises of the destroyed Mahavihara, which led to a rebellion by a minister of king Mahasena.

This stupa belongs to the Sagalika sect. The compound covers approximately 5.6 hectares and is estimated to have housed 10,000 Buddhist monks. One side of the stupa is 576 ft (176 m) long, and the flights of stairs at each of the four sides of it are 28 ft (9 m) wide. The doorpost to the shrine, which is situated in the courtyard, is 27 ft (8 m) high. The stupa has a 8.5 m (28 ft) deep foundation, and sits on bedrock. Stone inscriptions in the courtyard give the names of people who donated to the building effort. (Wikipedia).

it was Built in 3rd centaury. A.D. by king Mahasen (Mahasena). Originally it was about 400 feet high. 

It was the 3rd tallest building in the world during that time. 2 pyramids were higher than Jethawanaramaya. However pyramids were not constructed using brick  
. 

Therefore Jethawanaramaya is the tallest building made out of brick. The only dagaba situated outside the Mahamewna Uyana garden. It is situated in Nandana Uyana garden.

 There are several opinions to the creation of the Name Jethawanaramaya. Part of the robe wore by Lord Buddha is kept inside the dagaba as a relic. There were 4 entrances to the dagaba. Unfortunately they have partially collapsed. 

There are beautiful stone carving in these entrances. The dagaba is being reconstructed under the Cultural Triangle Project. King Mahasen has donated the temple to Sagalika sect.

 Inside ‘budu ge’ (worship house for Lord Buddha) there are 3 statues of Lord Buddha and few statues of kings. The first statue among them is the statue of king Mahasen who build the temple.   – Copy Sinhalaya.com.

'Nellikulama', Sri Lanka.

Nellikulama, Sri Lanka.

Scenes at Nellikulama, Sri Lanka.