Sri Maha Bodhi
The sacred fig tree grown from a cutting of the tree the Buddha sat under, planted here in the 3rd century BC and the oldest historically recorded tree on earth still tended today.
The Sri Maha Bodhi is, quietly, one of the most remarkable living things on earth. It's a sacred fig grown from a cutting of the very tree the Buddha is said to have sat under in India, brought to Anuradhapura and planted in 288 BC. That makes it the oldest tree planted by human hands with a known planting date, more than 2,300 years in the same spot, tended without a break the entire time.
You feel the weight of that when you visit. This isn't a museum piece behind glass. It's the beating heart of a living pilgrimage. People dressed in white move quietly around the terraces, making offerings of lotus flowers and oil lamps, and the old tree, propped up now with gold supports, sits above it all wrapped in prayer flags. Come at dawn or during the evening rituals and the atmosphere is genuinely moving, whatever your own beliefs.
The tree stands at the centre of Anuradhapura's sacred city, so it's usually part of a bigger day among the ancient stupas. The great white dome of Ruwanwelisaya is a short walk away. The site is flat and spread out, and most people cover it by bicycle. Dress modestly, take your shoes off where required, and be ready for hot stone underfoot by late morning. Carrying a pair of socks for the barefoot stretches is a trick every pilgrim knows.
At a glance
- Entry fee: Free to worship
- Opening hours: 5:00am to 8:00pm
- Time needed: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Best time: Early morning or during evening puja
Getting there
In the heart of the Anuradhapura sacred city, near Ruwanwelisaya.
Before you go
- Dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered, and remove shoes and hats near the tree, this is an active place of worship.
- Go at dawn or for the evening offerings, when it's cooler and the atmosphere is at its most powerful.
- The paved ground gets scorching by late morning. Bring socks for the barefoot areas.
- It sits inside the ticketed sacred city, so pair it with Ruwanwelisaya and the other stupas, a bicycle is the easiest way to cover the ground.
Frequently asked questions
- Why is the Sri Maha Bodhi so important?
- It's grown from a cutting of the tree the Buddha attained enlightenment under, planted in 288 BC, which makes it the oldest human-planted tree with a recorded planting date. For Buddhists it's one of the most sacred places in the country, and it has been continuously tended for over two thousand years.
- Can anyone visit?
- Yes, visitors of any faith are welcome. Just dress modestly, keep your voice down and follow the lead of the pilgrims around you. It's a working shrine, not a tourist attraction.
- How much does it cost?
- The tree itself is a place of worship you can approach freely, though foreign visitors are generally expected to hold the Anuradhapura sacred city ticket, which covers the wider ruins around it.
- What else is nearby?
- It's in the middle of the sacred city, steps from the huge Ruwanwelisaya stupa and within easy cycling distance of Thuparamaya, Abhayagiri and the other ancient monuments.