The Sacred Role of Bo Trees in Sri Lankan Temples: History, Traditions, and Devotion

Bo Trees in temples in Sri Lanka have a very important role since the introduction of Buddhism to Sri Lanka—or then called Thambapanni or Sihala Rata. A famous Bo Tree, the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, was brought by Sanghamitta in 288 BCE, starting this tradition.

It is under a Bo Tree that Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment, becoming the Buddha. This association made almost all Bo Trees respected and revered in Sri Lanka.

Planting or worshipping the Bo Tree in temple grounds is a long-standing tradition in Sri Lanka. It signifies the presence of the Buddha’s teachings and creates a sense of spirituality for the worshippers visiting the temples. Places like Anuradhapura’s Sri Maha Bodhi and Kandy’s Temple of the Tooth have famous Bo Trees.

Some tie strings around the branches, wishing and asking for blessings, and some even pour milk on the Bo Tree as a sign of respect. The strings hold prayers, and the milk shows purity and honor.

Historically, Bo Trees were protected with simple barriers like wooden sticks or railings to prevent animals and humans from damaging the tree. Over time, as devotion increased, more protective measures were implemented. The construction of metal railings around the Bo Tree started.

Later, golden fences, called “Ran Vata” (රන් වැට) in Sinhala—where “ran” means gold and “vata” means fence—were introduced to express heightened devotion and reverence. The use of gold or the gold color signifies the immense value placed on the Bo Tree and its connection to the Buddha. Today, most temple Bo Trees are surrounded by these golden fences.