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)

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips

Destination Sri Lanka

Major Tourist Attractions of Sri Lanka

About this website

Dear visitor, thank you so much for reading this page. My name is Timothy Tye and my hobby is to find out about places, write about them and share the information with you on this website. I have been writing this site since 5 January 2003. Originally (from 2003 until 2009, the site was called AsiaExplorers. I changed the name to Penang Travel Tips in 2009, even though I describe more than just Penang but everywhere I go (I often need to tell people that "Penang Travel Tips" is not just information about Penang, but information written in Penang), especially places in Malaysia and Singapore, and in all the years since 2003, I have described over 20,000 places.

While I try my best to provide you information as accurate as I can get it to be, I do apologize for any errors and for outdated information which I am unaware. Nevertheless, I hope that what I have described here will be useful to you.