Wel Bodhiya
It is one of the famous sacred Fig trees rising at one corner of the Maligawa premises. There is a legend behind this Bo tree which I might relate in a future post.
This site gets pretty crowded with devotees of all ages, especially during the big exam seasons like the Year 5 Scholarship, O/Ls and A/Ls. The whole Bo tree gets covered in flag festoons and small pieces of cloths wrapping coins and notes around then. Some of these flags have inscriptions of blessings with or without the name of the persons in question *(= exam candidate, etc.).
And then they keep pouring pots and pots of water to the roots of the Bo tree, sometimes sprinkled with sandalwood powder, jasmines and what not. It's all good but.. do they ever wonder even the Bo tree is a tree and there's a specific amount of water it can absorb and the excess water will only damage its roots. We had that issue in our village temple's Bo tree too and now it's finally been resolved.
It's nice to water the Bo tree to invoke blessings but.. just not too much. Also I've heard that if we light too much incense sticks, their smoke too can harm these trees. Same goes for lighting too many oil lamps.
I hope sometimes in the future our environmentalists *if they do exist here* will bring up some policies on how to continue our age old rituals and traditions without harming these sacred trees or the environment.
PS: At least I can't blame these big exam seasons, cause that is the only time when most seemingly non-religious people become all too devoted and sainted. But the parents should know if their children don't study well, the supernatural powers alone can't make them get through these exams.
*As usual CTRL + Click to expand the pics.
The view of the Bo tree and its surrounding fortification when we enter from the Maligawa side.
Lateral views
The topmost boughs and branches of the Bo tree.
Taken from the Bo Maluwa (courtyard). The gateway in the distance leads to the Natha Devala (a temple dedicated to the deity called Natha) premises.
Vistas of the St. Paul's Church that sits quite close to the Wel Bodhiya.
Being able to capture Bo leaves and a historical church both in one shot is something quite unique.. in my perspective.. for they symbolize the harmonious coexistence of two different religions.
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That's all for now. ^__^
Your post reminds me poor Bo Tree at Bellanwila too ;)
ReplyDeleteI have not noticed this Bo Tree although I have been to Maligawa number of times. I too agree that Bo tree must be feeling too wet during exam periods ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the info!
nice ones :)
ReplyDelete@ K: Really? But it's a pretty famous Bo tree, especially popular to be a one that grants your wishes and all. The tree sits between Paththini Devalaya and the St. Paul's Church. And this site is near one of the exits/ entrances of Maligawa too.
ReplyDeleteThat's sad to hear. I hope they'd take some action to prevent the damage further.
@ Dee: Thanks. ^__^
Awesome photos... Yeah, I too was reminded of the Bellanwila bo tree. I've heard that at Kelaniya all the water that is poured onto the bodhi from the inlets are diverted to the Kelani river, to protect the bodhi... The Sri Maha bodhi too had a big problem, when they started pouring milk onto the roots which caused bacterial diseases to the tree...
ReplyDeleteThese issues usually crop up when people have too much 'shraddawa' and not enough 'pragnawa'! Hehehe ;)
Thanks Chavie. Yep, Bellanvila temple is one of the most frequented temples of that region. I've been there a few times too, though some decade or so ago.
ReplyDeleteReally? That's quite a good way of protecting the Bo tree. Ya, it's a pity but a majority of Lankans have blind faith than a reverential respect gained through wisdom. What to do ne? =D
Interesting Info. Something that I never thought of
ReplyDeleteThanks Anjana. Even I didn't realize it until it was pointed out in a TV program some years back, think it might have been on Doramadalawa or something.
ReplyDelete