Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Tree, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, 4/28/2026

The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred Bo tree (Ficus religiosa) located in the Mahamewuna Garden, within the historic UNESCO World Heritage City of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is believed to be a tree grown from a cutting of the southern branch from the historical sacred bo tree, the Bodhi tree, which was destroyed during the time of Emperor Ashoka, at Bodh Gaya in India, under which Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha) is believed to have attained enlightenment. Seeing the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi was deeply moving, especially knowing it is believed to descend from the very tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. Hugh and I felt fortunate to visit such a revered pilgrimage site./susan