THANTHIRIMALE...

We visited Thanthirimale Rajamaha Viharaya for this wesak. It was such a beautiful place. The rock surface covers 250 acres of the ground. When the Sri Maha Bodhi was brought from India to Sri Lanka, one night along the way the pot containing the sapling was kept at Thantheremale. It is believed that there was one branch separately grew from the pot, was planted at that village to remember the incidence. Hence, some believe that this may be the first Sri Maha Bhodi plant in Sri Lanka. The Bo Tree is placed on top of large stony layer which may protect the tree up to now. This place was unidentified till the beginning of this 19th century and in 1960s the temple was reestablished by Buddhist Monks.The temple and surrounding area are full of ruins, including two stone statues and several stone ponds.