Sri Maha Bodhi Tree
Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka Ancient Heritage City
Your base for exploring this tourist attraction is the ancient city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. For tourist information about Anuradhapura, go to Anuradhapura Travel Guide. To prepare for a trip to Sri Lanka, read also the Sri Lanka Travel Guide. Looking for budget accommodation? Use AsiaExplorers Budget Accommodation Guide, the no-frills website to cover your budget accommodation needs.
The Sri Maha Bodhi Tree is said to be the oldest planted tree in the world, and located in the most crowded place in all of Anuradhapura. Not to mention, according to Buddhist pilgrims, the most sacred. That is because within the temple is the Sri Maha Bodhi tree, the oldest known tree in the world. The Sri Maha Bodhi has been planted and looked after continuously for the last 2300 years, even when Anuradhapura was under Tamil occupation.
It was under a bodhi tree that Buddha attained enlightenment in 528BC. The Sri Maha Bodhi of Anuradhapura is grown from a cutting from this original Bodhi tree. This makes it the most sacred tree in Sri Lanka. Seedlings from this tree have been planted in temples throughout Sri Lanka and around the Buddhist world. It is forbidden for a Buddhist to cut or harm any part of the Sri Maha Bodhi tree.
Today a frame of iron crutches prop up the Sri Maha Bodhi, which nevertheless looks deceivingly young and rather unimpressive. Golden railings provided further protection, and visitors are strictly regulated. Still, the throng coming to view the tree was simply overwhelming.
Every full moon of Poson, which is around May-June, a million worshippers come to celebrate around the tree in commemoration of the Enlightenment.
Pilgrims entering the compound of the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree in Anuradhapura.
Sri Maha Bodhi Photo Gallery
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Anuradhapura Travel Guide
Explore the places of interest in Anuradhapura. Click to view list.
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