'Nellikulama', Sri Lanka.

Nellikulama, Sri Lanka.

Scenes at Nellikulama, Sri Lanka.

Nellikulama, on the road from Thanthrimale to Anuradhapura.

This is shrub jungle bordering the main road. Foot paths have been made into cleared areas where scenes from incidents in the life of Lord Buddha are depicted as statues.

Sights at Thantrimale, Sri Lanka.

The 'Banyan tree' at the entrance to the historic site.

Flowers for sale to be used in the 'Pooja'.

Water lily and lotus flowers.

A 'Flame of the forest' in bloom.

Paintings inside the 'Budumedura', Thanthrimale, Sri Lanka.

Paintings done over the last few years on the inside walls of the 'Budumedura' depicting scenes from the 'Jathaka tales'. The 'Jathaka tales' relate to the various lives of Lord Buddha before his last birth when he attained Enlightenment. 

Sights at Thanthrimale, Sri Lanka.

The 'Bo tree' and Chaithya.

A moat.

Thanthrimale goes a long way back in history, more than 2200 years. The sacred branch of the Bo Tree under which  Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment, was brought by Sanghamitta Theraniya from  India. They disembarked at Dambukola Patuna - close to present Keerimalai. The procession on its way to Anuradhapura was given a nights rest here, by a Brahmin.
One of the eight saplings of this Bo tree was planted here and is still present. This makes some claim that this Bo tree is older than the one at Anuradhapura - planted in the 2nd Century BC.
When the son of King Dutugemunu Prince Saliya married a woman of a low cast, they were banished by the father and they found refuge in Thanthrimale.