Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi - the sacred fig tree in Anuradhapura. There is a belief that this is the southern branch of the historical Bodhi tree Sri Maha Bodhi in Bodh Gaya in India under which the Buddha attained enlightenment. It was planted in 288 BC and is the oldest tree in the world with a known date of planting, which put people. Today it is one of the sacred relics of Buddhist Sri Lanka and venerated by Buddhists all over the world.

More fig trees that surround the sacred tree, protect it from storms and animals such as monkeys, bats, etc.

In the 3rd century BC The tree was brought to Sri Lanka Sangamitoy Tera, the daughter of Emperor Asoka, and the founder of the Order of Buddhist nuns in Sri Lanka. In 249 BC, the tree was planted by King Tissa Devanampiya on a high terrace of about 6, 5 m (21 ft 3) above the ground in a park Mahamevanava in Anuradhapura and is surrounded by a fence.

Several ancient kings contributed to the development of this religious place. King Vasabha (65 - 107 AD) placed four Buddha statues on the four sides of the sacred tree. Voharika King Tissa (214 - 236 BC) set a metal statue. King Mahanazha (569 - 571 BC) built a canal around the sacred tree.

Contemporary wall was built Ilupandenie Astadassi Tero during the reign of King Kirti Sri Rajasinha to protect the wood from wild elephants, which could damage it. The height of the wall is 3, 0 m, the thickness of 1, 5 m, the length from north to south is 118, 3 m, and from east to west 83, 5 m.

The first golden fence around the sacred tree was built several Buddhist followers from Kandy led Yatiravana Narada Thero in 1969. Iron fence erected people from Gonagaly led Yagirala Pannananda Tero. The second golden fence was built under the leadership of then Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Ranil Wickremasinghe in 2003.

Two branches of the sacred tree were broken because of a storm in 1907 and 1911. Crazy snapped and threw the branch in 1929. Tamil terrorists shot several devout followers of Buddha on the upper terrace in 1985.