I hope you all are well. Today I am participating in the "Steem Atlas Challenge Vii - Pin Your Favorite Spot" contest organized by @damithudaya. Today I am going to share with you about another Buddhist religious site in our country, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

About the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred tree in the Mahamevna Garden of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. This is the southern branch of the Bodhi tree in India, the historical Bodhi tree from which the Buddha attained enlightenment. As a result of the religious mission launched by King Dharmasoka, who reigned in India at that time, to spread Buddhism in 9 countries, our country also received Buddhism as a gift. That was with the arrival of Mahinda Maha Arahant Thera to this country. Then, the daughter of King Dharmasoka, Sanghamitta Arahant Therani, planted the southern branch of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in India in a golden pot and brought it to this country.

(The entrance to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi)

The then king of Sri Lanka King, Devanam Piyatissa, received the Venerable Sanghamitta Theraniya and his group with great pomp and ceremony, he accepted Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi branch by placing it on his head. With the arrival of the Venerable Sanghamitta Theraniya, the Bhikkhunī Order was established for the first time in the country, and for the first time, a group of women, including Queen Anula, were ordained under the Venerable Sanghamitta Theraniya.

(The row of flower shops at the entrance to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.)

There is a statue of Sanghamitta Theran carrying the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and arriving in this country by sea on the way to worship the Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. Also, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is located a short distance from the Ruwanweli Seya. After worshiping the Ruwanweli Seya, one can continue on the same path and worship the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

(This is the statue of Sanghamitta Theraniya, who arrived in this country carrying the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi branch.)

Before the arrival of the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, the people of our country worshipped various trees and stones and lived with many blind beliefs. However, after the arrival of Mahinda Maha Arahant and Sanghamitta Theran, people began to worship the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and the Chaityas and perform pujas.

There is also a gold-plated fence surrounding the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and you can see that gold fence in the pictures I have shared. On the day we went to Anuradhapura, many pilgrims had come to worship the Ruwanweli Seya and Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi and that day we had to face a stampede due to the crowd. The lamppost for lighting the lamps for the Sri Maha Bodhi is a little further away from the police post outside and we lit the lamps before going to worship the Sri Maha Bodhi.

(These pictures show the lamppost I mentioned above.)

Rules to be followed when entering the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

It is mandatory for you to respect and adhere to the following rules when visiting the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.

• Women are prohibited from wearing sleeveless or short-sleeved blouses or dresses, and if they do, they must wear a shawl to cover their upper body.

• Women are also prohibited from wearing clothing above the knee and are advised to wear a long, white, modest dress.

• Men should also wear white clothing that covers their bodies.

• It is prohibited to enter wearing shoes and hats.

• It is prohibited to bring polythene bags inside. They will be checked by the police checkpoint at the entry point.

• And if you are carrying items such as pirikara to offer to the Ruwanweli Seya, you must have them inspected and confirmed at a special check point.

Other Informations for Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi

Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi Temple Sri Lanka
https://g.co/kgs/CxcQfoC

Opening Hours :-
6.15 AM - 9 PM

Website :-
1

Google map :-
https://maps.app.goo.gl/EpLAJ248Kf5Ypkk39

Steem-atlas :-
//:# (!steematlas 8.34469896 lat 80.39736986 long Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi d3scr)

Camera used	iphone 16
Location	Anuradhapura - SriLanka
Photographer	@nishadi89

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🌼Thanks for reading🌼

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