Sri Maha Bodhiya

Sacred Bo Tree - After the fall of Anuradhapura, the kings moved the capital to Polonnaruwa, and the once magnificent city was left to the will of the dry zone tropical jungle for about eight hundred years. During this time, only the sacred "Bo" Tree, started from a sapling of the ficus religiosa under which Siddhartha Gauthama attained enlightenment, was continually cared for. This sacred "Bo" tree is the oldest historically documented tree on earth. This tree has been tended devotedly for nearly 23 centuries, even after the city came under the rule of north Indian Dravidian conquerors

The branches of this sacred "Bo" tree, with a recorded history of more than 2,100 years, seems very slight and fragile. For this reason the branches are supported with iron crutches to prevent any mishaps during heavy rains or strong wind storms. The tree stands among other younger trees, on a special platform, protected by a gold plated railing. It is believed that most of the older Bo trees in Sri Lanka and some in other Buddhist countries are descendants of this sacred tree.

Anuradhapura

Anuradhapura is one of the ancient capitals of Sri Lanka, famous for its well-preserved ruins of ancient Lankan civilization.

The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, lies 205 km north of the current capital Colombo in Sri Lanka's North Central Province, on the banks of the historic Malvathu Oya.

From the 4th century BC, it was the capital of Sri Lanka until the beginning of the 11th century AD. During this period it remained one of the most stable and durable centers of political power and urban life in South Asia. The ancient city, considered sacred to the Buddhist world, is today surrounded by monasteries covering an area of over sixteen square miles (40 km²).