Sri Maha Bodhi

When a number of women wanted to became nuns shortly after the conversion of King Devanampiyathissa and royal family, Sanghamitha, the sister of Ven.Mahinda came to the island to start the order of Bhikkhunis. 

She brought with her branch of the sacred bodhi tree from India, under which the Buddha meditated and attained enlightenment.

This branch was planted in 288 BCE in Sri Maha Bodhi, or the Mahabodhi Temple, and the tree is believed to be the oldest living planted tree in the world.it is one of the most sacred and venerated relics in Srilanka.