Prime Minister Narendra Modi today paid a visit to Sri Lanka's ancient capital Anuradhapura and offered prayers at the sacred Mahabodhi tree in a move aimed at projecting India's Buddhist links in the region.
Accompanied by Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena, PM Modi, attired in a spotless white kurta-pyjama, spent about 30 minutes at the Mahabodhi tree temple in Lanka's north central holy town and perform rituals.
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 (Sanghamitra in Sanskrit), 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.
PM Modi and Sirisena also knelt down and bowed in reverence before the tree. Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera was also present at the rituals.
PM Modi took to microblogging website Twitter this morning on the second and final day of his two-day visit to Sri Lanka to say he was looking forward to a wonderful day.
More Buddhist devotees than usual awaited his arrival at Anuradhapura town which was decorated with Buddhist flags.
Anuradhapura is an ancient city, located at a distance of 206 km from Colombo. The city is the capital of North-Central province. It was established in 4th century BC. It was the first capital of Sri Lanka and remained so until 8th century AD.
It is an archaeologist's delight and contains several monuments of historical importance. The city is considered very sacred by the Buddhists and is home to the largest dagobas in Sri Lanka.
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