Matara Bodhiya in Matara

🕗 opening times

comments 5

• 

  Muditha Manaram

  :: 16 April 2018 14:14:06

  Sacred place with Bo tree and well known place in the town. According to Wikipedia, Its origin can be traced back to a tragic story centred on King Kumara Dharmasena or Kumaradhatusena son of King Kasyapa of Sigiriya (512-522 AD) and his closet friend, Kalidasa, a famous dramatist and poet. According to the tale the king whilst in the amorous company of a courtesan, spied a bee entangled in the petals of a lotus flower, inspired he wrote two poetic lines. He then offered a reward to anybody who could complete the other two stanzas to his poem. The cunning courtesan seized the opportunity took the verse to Kalidasa, who completed the poem. The courtesan then murdered Kalidasa in order to keep the reward for herself, concealing the body. The king however instantly recognised his friend's handwriting bringing the whole murderous ruse to light. When Kalidasa's dead body was taken to the funeral pyre for cremation, the grieving king unable to control his grief over the death of his beloved friend, threw himself into the burning flames and immolated himself. Upon witnessed this tragedy, five official queens also leapt into the flames to their deaths.[1][2] Local legend has it that seven Bo trees were planted over the seven tombs. These seven Bo trees are known locally as the "Hath Bodhis" and are said to be still surviving at six different places around Matara. Matara Bodhiya is one of those trees. It is respected and protected by the local buddhists. In 1783 when the Dutch ruled Matara, a Dutch General is alleged to have cut down those seven Bo trees and had used their timber for the construction of local buildings, with only one having survived.

• 

  anOj pathy

  :: 08 April 2018 20:29:53

  Matara Bodhiya is a famous landmark of Matara city. It is located just infront of Uyanwaththa play ground and attracts buddhists very much. There is a bus stop next to the premises and therefore people who come for their buses normally visit the place before their journies. This temple has a huge shrine area with a sacred bo tree and a small pagoda.

• 

  Madhura Balasooriya RB

  :: 21 January 2018 16:02:55

  Buddhist Religious Temple. Nice place to free your mind. Many Facilities in here.

• 

  Senehas Navodya

  :: 14 January 2018 13:39:24

  A Sacred place. Buddhist devotees worship there faithfully. Anyone can go there. But make sure that to behave respectfully. "May Lord of Matara Bodi Bless you all"

• 

  Kasun Gayasri

  :: 29 October 2017 07:30:56

  This is the iconic place of the Matara city, you can get the mind full of peace in the middle of the busy town. I invite whenever you going through Matara stop few minutes here, you can get your mind relax. May the Triple gem bless you..!!!