From 13–14 March the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi paid an official visit to Sri Lanka, during which he visited several sacred Buddhist sites. The visit was the final leg of a three-nation tour, and the first by an Indian prime minister in 28 years.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Sri Lankan president Maithripala Sirisena at the Mahabodhi tree, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, 14 March 2015. From worldpoliticsreview.com
On 13 March, he visited the headquarters of the Mahabodhi Society in Colombo, where he paid homage to a statue of the Buddha, offered food to the monastic community, and planted a sapling. After seeking blessings from the monks, the prime minister thanked the society for welcoming him and highlighted the contribution of Buddhism to the cultural collaboration between the nations of India and Sri Lanka. “The world is scared and living under the shadow of militancy,” INDtvUSA quoted him as saying. “The path showed by Lord Buddha can relieve us from war.” Promising to build a Buddhist temple in his home-state of Gujarat, he added, “My dream is to build a grand temple of Lord Buddha from where relics were recovered.”
Narendra Modi performing a ritual of placing a "siura" (the orange robe worn by monks) on a branch of the Mahabodhi tree. From straitstimes.com
Accompanied by Sri Lanka’s president Maithripala Sirisena, the following day PM Modi paid homage at the sacred Mahabodhi tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka’s ancient capital, where they spent around 30 minutes partaking in rituals. Led by the chief incumbent of the Atamasthana, Venerable Pallegama Sirinivasa Thera, these included placing a siura (an orange robe worn by monks) and tying a pandura (a small piece of cloth in which a coin is wrapped) on the southern branch of the sacred tree. After President Sirisena and PM Modi had knelt and bowed before the tree, the prime minister offered alms to the head monk.
Narendra Modi and Maithripala Sirisena offering prayers at the Mahabodhi tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. From thehindu.com
Legend has it that the Mahabodhi tree is one of the earliest symbols of the Buddha in Sri Lanka. It was brought from India by Bhikkhuni Sanghamitra, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka (r. 269–232 BCE), and planted in 288 BCE. The tree was grown from the southern branch of the holy Mahabodhi tree at Bodh Gaya in India, under which the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi tree is the oldest living tree in the world, and attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists every day. According to The Straits Times, Sri Lankan leaders are also known to worship the tree before starting their political campaigns.
Narendra Modi greeting monks during a visit to the Mahabodhi Society in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 13 March 2015. From tribuneindia.com
The prime minister also visited Ruwanweliseya, a dagoba (stupa) built in 140 BCE by King Gamini Abhaya, otherwise known as Dutthagamani (r. 161–137 BCE). One of the world’s tallest monuments at 338 feet (103 m) and with a circumference of 950 feet (290 m), the dagoba is among the most venerated Buddhist monuments in Anuradhapura. Relics of the Buddha are believed to be enshrined within.
Anuradhapura was the first capital of Sri Lanka, and is one of South Asia’s most sacred Buddhist sites. Located 205 kilometers north of Colombo, it contains a rich collection of archaeological and architectural wonders, including a number of large dagobas, soaring brick towers, ancient pools, and crumbling temples. The city is surrounded by sacred Buddhist monasteries, and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.