Sri Lanka Day 1: Brazen Palace, Sri Maha Bodhi and Ruwanweli Seya Dagoba

(This is part of my travels in Sri Lanka.  For more blog entries, visit Sri Lanka Travels)

A short car ride from Jetavanarama Dagoba was the location of the Sacred Bodhi Tree, where a well paved pedestrian path leads to the tree.






Along the way, we could see the remains of the Brazen Palace (Loha Prasada).  This palace once housed 1,000 Buddhist monks, whose duties included looking after the bodhi tree.

The palace once stood at nine stories tall.  Unfortunately, only the columns of the building remained today (about 2 metres high).

Just a few steps away would be the building housing the bodhi tree.  The entrance fee was Rs200 and we would have to leave the shoes at the entrance (as in most places in Sri Lanka).  You have to pass through security as there were threats to harm the sacred tree several years ago.

Beautiful moonstone design at the entrance.

The Sri Bodhi Tree is an offshoot of the tree where Buddha attained Enlightenment.







It is the oldest Bodhi tree recorded in the world, planted during 3rd century BC.

Only the branch held by gold-plated supports belonged to the oldest bodhi tree.  Our guide informed us that three other branches were destroyed due to natural and human incidents.

The compound attracts a lot of pilgrims usually.  On this day, however, it was not crowded.   I did feel good visiting this place.  

Even if you do not share the faith, I would still recommend you to take a look.  Maybe coming in the evening or during weekends where there are more people would make this place more memorable.




A short walk from the Sri Bodhi Tree is the Ruvanvali Saya Dagoba.  The weather was getting hotter and there were not many visitors.  I could still feel the heat from the ground even though I was wearing socks....
(If you are not rushing for time, you may wish to visit this place in the late afternoons)

It is similar to Jetavanarama Dagoba in size...

What is different are the elephant statues on four sides of the dagoba.

This Dagoba underwent massive restoration and looked new.  Thus it does not look like a heritage site to me.

Afternote:  Our guide did not bring us to Thuparama Vatadage.  Wonder why.  If someone visited this place, let me know how it is.