PM Narendra Modi offers prayer at Mahabodhi tree in Sri Lanka

Mangalore Today News Network

Anuradhapura, March 14, 2015: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited Sri Lanka’s ancient capital Anuradhapura and offered prayers at the sacred Mahabodhi tree.

 

Accompanied by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, Modi spent about 30 minutes at the Mahabodhi tree temple.

Legend has it that the southern branch of the holy Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya in India under which Buddha was said to have attained enlightenment was brought to Sri Lanka in 288 BC by Princess Sanghamitta, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka.

It was planted in Anuradhapura and is venerated to this day by the Buddhists from many countries of the world. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi is a sacred Fig tree and is the oldest living tree in documented history of the world.

The rituals included placing a ’Siura’ (an orange robe worn by monks) on the southern branch of the sacred tree and tying a ’Pandura’ (a small piece of cloth in which a coin is wrapped) on the branch. The Prime Minister then offered alms to the Head Monk.

Modi also visited Ruwanweliseya, a stupa built in 140 BC.

"Leaving for Anuradhapura. Will also travel to Talaimannar and Jaffna today. Looking forward to a wonderful day," Modi tweeted before he left Colombo.

Modi is the first Indian prime minister to make a bilateral visit to Sri Lanka after 1987.

Courtesy: Indiatoday