Anuradhapura, the oldest capital of Sri Lanka, is like a lifeline that proudly carries the history of the country. Anuradhapura is one of the most visited destinations in the world. Of all the thousands of shrines, Isurumuniya, which is associated with immaculate love, is worth experiencing.
A beautiful pond was first built out of dripstone and for the convenience of the Arahants, including the great Arahant Mahinda. It is said that at that time the rock in this plain was called Kasungiri Vihara because it shone with golden color. King Devanampiyatissa planted a Bodhi tree from the Sri Maha Bodhi in the temple grounds and developed the Isurumuni Vihara more beautiful manner for the residence of five hundred caste children. The cave temple at Isurumuni Vihara, where the Tooth Relic was first housed, is built on a high platform and the seat, dragon pandal, Buddha statue, and roof are all made of a single stone.
The staircase of the cave temple which can be seen in its original condition today consists of two parts. Going up to the first floor past the stone moonstones, watchtowers, and boulders, you can see two unique carvings of a horse’s head, a man, and a bathing elephant. There is a folklore that a hole is made in the stone above the carvings and if you take a coin and make a wish and throw it in this hole so that the coin does not fall into the pool and stays in the hole, the wish will come true. Although there are many theories about these carvings, I am convinced that the human and horse heads are carvings of a god above the rain and that bathing elephants symbolize the joy of receiving rain. This temple was known as Megha Viharaya as it was famous as a place of worship for rain and it is also known as Issarasamanaramaya as it is a place where prayers are fulfilled. Historical evidence shows that the name Issarasamanaramaya was later changed to Isurumuni Viharaya.
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During the reign of King Kasyapa, the temple premises in front of Mihindu Lena were constructed and the temple premises were developed. Recently, a museum has been set up at the site of the Siri Pathul carving, which houses the sacred relics and the Isurumuni couple found in the Ranmasu Uyana and other carvings. The fact that Isurumuniya has been built as a Buddhist temple and the Ranmasu Uyana as a royal garden nearby shows the beauty of the life of the people mixed with religion. Isurumuniya is still open to experience the perfect love of 2 hearts.
