Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, Anuradhapura

The Sri Maha Bodhi Temple (30 August, 2005)


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. It is also regarded by Buddhist pilgrims as the most sacred tree. This particular bodhi tree is said to be 2,300 years old. It has planted and has been continuously looked after all this while, even when Anuradhapura was under Tamil occupation.

The Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment in 528BC, and this particular bodhi tree is believed to have been grown from a cutting from that original tree. As such, it is the most sacred tree in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. 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 tree.

Pilgrims making their way to and from the Sri Maha Bodhi Temple (30 August, 2005)


Today a frame of iron crutches help to prop up the Sri Maha Bodhi. Golden railings provided further protection, and visitors entering the compound are strictly regulated. Still, the throng coming to view the tree was simply overwhelming. When I visited the place, there must have been a festive season, for the road approaching the temple was closed to vehicular traffic. Lots of pilgrims made the journey on foot towards the tree. The blue-yellow-red-white Buddhist flags flutter from poles.

Before entering the compound, we had to remove our shoes, which were deposited at a shoe counter. Then we continued barefooted into the temple compound. I noticed that most of the pilgrims wore all white clothing. The walls of the temple were also similarly whitewashed. I could hardly find a stain on it.

The Sri Maha Bodhi tree within its own compound at the temple (30 August, 2005)


To my rather untrained eyes, the Sri Maha Bodhi tree appeared rather unimpressive. It looked like countless bodhi trees I have seen in temple compounds in so many countries that follow Theravada Buddhism. The difference is that this particular tree seems to be the focus of pilgrims from all over.

Every full moon of Poson, which falls around the months of May to June, a million worshippers would come to celebrate around the tree to commemorate Enlightenment.

Pilgrims queuing to approach the Sri Maha Bodhi tree (30 August, 2005)


Leaves of the Sri Maha Bodhi Tree (30 August, 2005)


Pilgrims exiting after visiting the Sri Maha Bodhi tree (30 August, 2005)


Sinhalese family leaving for home after visiting the Sri Maha Bodhi tree (30 August, 2005)

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Hello and thanks for reading this page. My name is Timothy and my hobby is in describing places so that I can share the information with the general public. My website has become the go to site for a lot of people including students, teachers, journalists, etc. whenever they seek information on places, particularly those in Malaysia and Singapore. I have been doing this since 5 January 2003, for over twenty years already. You can read about me at Discover Timothy. By now I have compiled information on thousands of places, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore, and I continue to add more almost every day. My goal is to describe every street in every town in Malaysia and Singapore.