Isurumuniya temple has built by King Devanampiya Tissa (307 BC to 267 BC), who ruled in the ancient Sri Lankan capital of Anuradhapura. After 500 children of high caste were ordained, Isurumuniya has built for them to reside.
It was early called the Meghagiri Viharaya and has thought to be the primus temple in which the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Lord Buddha had housed before the capital shifted to Polonnaruwa.
Some believe Isurumuni lovers symbolize the Hindu god Shiva and Parvati. But according to Dr. Paranawithana, it is thought that it depicts Prince Saliya, son of king Dutugemunu and Asokamala, a poor lass the prince favored over the throne. The Bathing Elephants are another stone carving admired by many.
This place is very common for ” Isurumuni Pem Yuwala” ( Lovers statue of Isurumuni”). This sculpture is a world-famous one. So this is also one of the must-visit places in Anuradhapura. There is a rock. You will see the excellent scenario with “Tissa” lake on top of this small rock.
King Kasyapa I (473-491 AD) back reformed this Viharaya and named it “Boupulvan, Kasubgiri Radmaha Vehera,” giving the names of his two daughters and his word. There is a Viharaya connected to a cavern, and above is a cliff. A small stupa had built on it. It can see that this stupa’s construction work belongs to the present period. Elephant figures are carved on the rock to appear as rising from a pool on either side opening. On the stone is carved the formation of a horse. The engraving of Isurumuniya lovers on the slab has been taken from another place and placed there. A few arenas away from this Vihara is the Ranmasu Uyana.
Isurumuniya is a Buddhist temple near the Tissa Wewa (Tisa tank) in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. There are four carvings of singular spirit in this Vihara. They are the Isurumuniya Lovers, Elephant Pond, and The Royal Family.
