Archaeological Museum - Anuradhapura, Anuradhapura - Timings, Entry Fee, History & Artifacts

At a distance of 1 km from Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and 3 km from Anuradhapura Railway Station, Archaeological Museum is a museum located in Anuradhapura. Situated on the banks of Tissa Wewa, it is one of the archaeological museums of Sri Lanka and among the prime places to visit in Anuradhapura.

Also known as Puravidu Bhavana, the Archaeological Museum in Anuradhapura was established in 1947 under the pioneering effort of Dr. Senarath Paranavitana. This is situated in the old kachcheri building between the Brazon Palace and Ruwanwelisaya. This is one of the oldest museums in the Cultural Triangle area and it has been proposed to name as the National Museum of the Department of Archaeology of Sri Lanka.

The museum has an interesting collection of artwork, carvings and everyday items from Anuradhapura and other historic sites around Sri Lanka. The museum displays artifacts connected with ancient capital located at Polonnaruwa which are worth watching, especially the miniature models of buildings, which are currently in ruins at Polonnaruwa. Many objects kept in the Anuradhapura Archaeological Museum date back to the pre-Christian period and reflect the grandeur of a bygone era when Sinhalese civilization was at its peak.

There is a restored relic chamber, found during the excavation of the Kantaka Chetiya dagoba at nearby Mihintale, and a large-scale model of Thuparama Dagoba's vatadage (circular relic house) as it might have been if a wooden roof had existed. Apart from that, the museum has some precious Buddha statues, inscriptions, coins, drawings, and antiques. The museum also has many bronze statues of Hindu gods like Ganesh, Parvathi, and Shiva along with miniature figures made of ivory.

Timings: 9 AM - 5 PM, Closed on Tuesdays & on Public Holidays

Entry: USD. 25 for Foreigners & USD. 12 for SAARC Nationals (Including entry to all the historical sites except Maha Bodhi & Isurumuniya)