Sri Maha Bodhiya

December which called as Unduwap is the month when Sangamitta Theraniya came to Sri Lanka with the southern branch of Jaya Sri Maha Bodhiya. Legend says that Sri Lankan civilization was built from that day onwards. Since those old times, this ancient tree has stood in Anuradhapura for millenniums. It has been always worshipped by kings and witnessed many kingdoms fall apart. However, throughout history, on every full moon poya day, thousands of Buddhists around Sri Lanka gather to worship this sacred tree.

Sri Maha Bodiya has been the centre and attraction of many poets and artists. Lots of poets have dedicated songs offerings to this tree, while some have captured its beauty on canvas. Many tourists so often visit Sri Lanka in search of this tree. The Nation took on a journey to pay homage to this ancient tree, on the month of Unduwap, when it was first ever brought to Sri Lanka. In the Mahawansa, it is said that King Devanampiyatissa sent his nephew prince Aritta on the important mission to bring Sangamitta Theri to Sri Lanka to establish a Bhikkuni Sasana in Sri Lanka and also to bring a sapling of the Sacred Jaya Sri maha Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. “According to several ancient historical accounts, many miracles are said to have occurred when a sapling was obtained from the parent Bodhi Tree,” said Waththewewa Dhammananda thero who comes from the village of Madawachchi and has a close connection with the Anuradhapura Sri Maha Bodhiya. The sapling was shipped to Sri Lanka in 249 BC amidst great pageantry.






While Emperor Asoka was present at the port when the ship carrying the sapling left the shore on the other side of the ocean, King Devanampiyathissa was waiting on Sri Lankan soil to welcome its arrival with great honour and respect. Along with the sapling, 18 classes of artisans came to the country to perform various services required for the Maha Bodhi. They were settled in some villages called “Bodi haraka Gam.” Protection of the Maha Bodhi When the Sri Maha Bodhiya bo tree was planted in Anuradhapura at the grounds of the Maha Vihara, it was accorded the veneration similar to the Buddha because the tree is closely linked with his life. Ancient Sinhalese chronicles have recorded various steps taken by Sri Lankan kings to protect the Sri Maha Bodhi and its precincts. The royalty considered it their duty to improve the facilities required to maintain the tree, and attend to its restoration when necessary. Various architectural structures were also constructed around the Bo tree in the centuries that followed, in order to protect it. there are annual rituals which are performed by Buddhists for Sri maha Bodhiya. Several of them are performed to pay tribute to the sacred Sri Maha Bodhiya. The “Aluth Sahal Mangallaya” is performed on January full moon poya day which is known as Duruthu Full Moon Poya day among Sinhalese. The farmers in the surrounding areas offer the first portion of the new harvest of their fields to the Maha Bodhi.





The Nanumura Mangallaya is performed prior to Wesak Full Moon Poya Day whih is in May. The Sacred Tree is decorated with ornaments and milk rice is offered to the Maha Bodhi and to all the “Atamasthana” or the 8 sacred places at Anuradhapura. A “Deva Pooja” is offered to the provincial deities headed by Kalu Devathabandara, the deity protecting the Sri Maha Bodhi tree. The “Karti Mangallaya” is performed in month July during the annual pilgrim season. As Sacred Tooth Relic of Lord Buddha which considered to be the symbol of sovereignty, the Sri Maha Bodhiya is said to safeguard the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. “Time and time again, various forces have tried to harm the Siri Maha Bodhiya but it has stood the test of time and has survived for more than 2000 years so far. All the Buddhists in Sri Lanka and around the world, would want the Sri Maha Bodhi to live on for a long period of time in the future as well.