Kataragama Bodhiya (also called Ashta Pala Ruha Bodhiya, Ananda Bodhiya) is a
sacred fig
''Ficus religiosa'' or sacred fig is a species of fig native to the Indian subcontinent and Indochina that belongs to Moraceae, the fig or mulberry family. It is also known as the bodhi tree, pippala tree, peepul tree, peepal tree, pipal tree ...
(Bo tree) located in
Kataragama
Kataragama ( si, කතරගම, translit=Kataragama , ta, கதிர்காமம், translit=Katirkrāmam) is a pilgrimage town sacred to Hindu, Buddhist and indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka. People from South India also go there to ...
,
Sri Lanka.
History
An old tree with historical and religious significance, it is believed to be planted in the 3rd century BC by the
Kshatriyas
Kshatriya ( hi, क्षत्रिय) (from Sanskrit ''kṣatra'', "rule, authority") is one of the four varna (social orders) of Hindu society, associated with warrior aristocracy. The Sanskrit term ''kṣatriyaḥ'' is used in the c ...
of Kataragama, during the reign of king Devanampiyatissa of Anuradhapura.
Kataragama Bodhiya is believed to be one of the first eight saplings that emerged from
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi ( Sinhala: ජය ශ්රී මහා බොධිය) is a historical sacred bo tree (''Ficus religiosa'') in the Mahamewna Garden in historical city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. This is believed to be a tree grown ...
in
Anuradhapura
Anuradhapura ( si, අනුරාධපුරය, translit=Anurādhapuraya; ta, அனுராதபுரம், translit=Aṉurātapuram) is a major city located in north central plain of Sri Lanka. It is the capital city of North Central ...
, which were planted in different places of the island around the 3rd century BC.
[The Symbol Of Knowledge And Discipline](_blank)
The Colombo Telegraph
The Sunday Times
Present day
Today Kataragama Bodhiya is venerated by thousands of Buddhist devotees who are on pilgrimage to Kataragama
Kataragama ( si, කතරගම, translit=Kataragama , ta, கதிர்காமம், translit=Katirkrāmam) is a pilgrimage town sacred to Hindu, Buddhist and indigenous Vedda people of Sri Lanka. People from South India also go there to ...
sacred town. This Bodhi tree is located very close to the Ruhuna Maha Kataragama Devalaya, an ancient temple which dedicated to Kataragama deviyo
Kataragama deviyo (also called: Skanda Kumara, Kartikeya, si, කතරගම දෙවියෝ) is a guardian deity of Sri Lanka. A popular deity who is considered to be very powerful, shrines dedicated to Kataragama deviyo are found in many ...
, a deity venerated by Buddhists, Hindus and other religious believers.[Divine Power Of God Kataragama](_blank)
Serendib (The Magazine of Sri Lanka Airlines) Another old sacred fig known as "Kadawara Bodhiya" is located in close proximity to the Kataragama Bodhiya. It is identified as a ''Pariwara Bodhiya'' of the main Kataragama Bodhiya.
See also
* Bodhi tree
* Kalutara Bodhiya
Kalutara Bodhiya is a Bodhi tree (sacred fig) located in Kalutara, Western Province of Sri Lanka. Situated on the Galle Colombo main road, by the side of Kalu River just south to the Kalutara city, it is believed to be one of the 32 saplings o ...
* Matara Bodhiya
References
{{Reflist
External links
Kataragama Bodhiya
(Buddhist Places in Sri Lanka)
Individual trees in Sri Lanka
Buddhism in Sri Lanka
Anuradhapura period
Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Sri Lanka
Individual fig trees