Thank you for visiting my site.
You are here: Home / Destinations / ANURADHAPURA SRI MAHA BODHI TREE
The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa) located in the city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is one of the most venerated and oldest living trees in the world and holds immense religious and historical significance for Buddhists worldwide. The tree is believed to be a direct descendant of the original Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya, India, under which Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, attained enlightenment.
History: The history of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi dates back over 2,300 years. According to historical records, in the 3rd century BCE, Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya Dynasty in India, after embracing Buddhism, sent his daughter, Princess Sangamitta, to Sri Lanka as a Buddhist missionary. Along with her, she brought a sapling from the original Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya to be planted in Anuradhapura.
The sacred sapling was planted in the Mahamevuna Park in Anuradhapura during the reign of King Devanam Piya Tissa (307-267 BCE). This event marked the formal establishment of Buddhism in Sri Lanka. The tree has been carefully preserved and protected by successive Sinhalese kings and later by the Sri Lankan government and Buddhist clergy.
Details: The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is not only revered for its religious significance but also for its age. It is estimated to be more than 2,300 years old, making it one of the oldest known planted trees in the world. The tree stands approximately 32 meters (105 feet) tall and has a large canopy with numerous branches that provide shade to the devotees and visitors who come to pay their respects.
The site of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is an essential pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from all over the world. The temple complex surrounding the sacred tree is called the Mahavihara, and it is one of the eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Sri Lanka. The complex includes various stupas, ancient ruins, and other significant Buddhist monuments.
The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is continuously protected and cared for by a team of custodians, and rituals are regularly conducted to honor the tree and its spiritual significance. The devotees offer flowers, light lamps, and burn incense as offerings to express their reverence and gratitude to the Buddha and his teachings.
Over the centuries, the tree has faced numerous challenges, including natural disasters and threats from human activities. However, through the dedicated efforts of custodians and authorities, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi continues to stand as a symbol of strength, resilience, and spiritual significance for Buddhists and visitors alike.
"11th April 2014 01 week tour around Sri Lanka A fantastic week was had by all with Cyril, exploring Kandy, Nuwaraeliya and Bentota. Your meaningful insights & excellent explanations of the Sri Lanka’s culture, nature and traditions were invaluable. Your smile and charm helped is feel related and comfortable. Not getting stressed once. With your guidance & tips, the holiday flew by with only one problem: it was very short! Your comprehensive list of talents ranges from findin..." Ian Price and family from UK
" Our Tour in Sri Lanka Traveling through the beautiful Sri Lanka has been great. Cyril warmly welcomed us at the airport and drove us with his always clean car in every part of the country. He provided daily information about the history and the different sites of Sri Lanka. Also, he taught us a lot about Sri Lankan culture, starting from food, traditions, animals and nature, and suggested authentic and less known places we c..." FILIPPO MASI FROM ITALY
"We highly appreciated Cyril as our chauffeur guide. We can easily speak with him about any subject. We learnt a lot about Sri Lanka' s culture, history and way of life. He arrange everything we asked. In the airport on arrval his welcome is marvelous. His English language is superb and very clear. His knowledge and expanation about the sites are unique. More than the all he is very friendly and punctual. We will recommend him all the people who willing to come to Sri Lanka." COMBE MARTIAL AND WILD EMMANUEL FROM FRANCE
"Hello my dear friend Mr. Cyril We are all fine dear, I have visited Sri Lanka and I loved the country, Insha’Allah I will visit again your country, it is amazing place. This is the first day at work , really I enjoy the tour to sri lanka with my family and it was very nice and I wish to go again to sri lanka and of course you were very good and polite and respectable guy -thanks a lot for every thing and I wish you ..." Nasser Mohamed from Oman
"We had a great time on last 10 days in on our honeymoon in beautiful Sri Lanka. Thank you very much for the stories, the explanations, driving, tips, care and always with a smile. Big thanks for you Cyril. We had an amazing honeymoon in this beautiful island! and you are the best guide and friend that we could have here!!! We will sure tell our friends and family about the trip and you!!! We will stay in touch and may be one day meet you again. Oded & Carol Israel 10 Oct 2014" Naim & Coral Fisher from Israel
"We had a exellent and memorable trip. That all credit to you Cyril.Indepth knowledge about the place, roads, Culture and history. Very matuared and patient. We were in very safe hands on all the time. Thanks a lot, mainly it's memorable expeirience for all of us. We always recomond CYRIL TOURS to our friends and relatives in Dubai and in India." Awdhesh Kumar and gruop
"We had a fantastic holiday in Sri Lanka, thanks Cyril Tours, Our driver, Amiila, was brilliant and nothing was too much trouble for him. The places we visited were really interesting and we saw some lovely scenery.I would definitely recommend your company to other people. Emma - UK 2010 December " Emma Patterson
"Cyril was absolutly Fantastic,Veryhelpful, Patient and extremly knowledgable. Wouldn't hesitate to recommend and travel with him again. Whole tour was well organized and perfectly done. Kate Williams and family from UK 04th January 2015" Kate Williams UK
"Dear Cyril, Thank you very much for wonderful holiday. Your attention to detail and care of your clients is extraordinary. We certainly hope to cross paths again and we will recommonding you to all of our friends and to family too. Many thanks again. Paul nad Machelle Brisbane, Australia. Visited during 10/10/2012 - 26/10/2012" Mr. Paul and Mrs. Machelle from Australia
"Dear Cyril, Thank you for truly amazing oneweek tour your beautiful country.We have seen so many amazing sites in such a short space of time. From Sigiriya to beautiful temples, Scenic tea gardens of Nuwaraeliya the colonial land ark hotel Mount Lavinia. We have seen so much more. You have made this an utterly memorable holiday with your expert knowledge, amazing, facinating stories, patience, careful+safe drivingand your unforgetable smile. We will cetainly recommonding your tours to all of fr..." Sara Kitson - UK
.JPG)
.jpg)
