Last Updated:June 25, 2025, 09:52 IST
Because Lord Buddha attained enlightenment beneath it, the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya is revered by millions worldwide and preserved with scientific care
The current Bodhi tree, descended from the Sri Lankan Bodhi lineage, continues to be a living symbol of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment. (Local18)
The revered Bodhi tree, located at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, is of profound spiritual importance to Buddhists around the world. It is under this Peepal tree that Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment, making the site a prominent pilgrimage destination. Known globally as the Bodhi tree, it symbolises awakening and spiritual liberation.
Ongoing Maintenance And Scientific Care
To preserve this sacred tree, annual maintenance costing several lakh rupees is undertaken. A specialist team from the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, conducts thorough health inspections three to four times each year. These involve spraying insecticides, trimming dead branches, and applying protective chemical coatings.
Due to the size and spread of the tree’s limbs, 12 iron pillars have been installed to support its large branches.
Recent Inspection And Preventative Measures
In a recent health check, two FRI scientists, Santan Bartwal and Shailesh Pandey, identified a minor mealybug infestation on the smaller branches.
Immediate measures were taken: a chemical treatment was applied, followed by light spraying to maintain cleanliness. Additionally, infected and weakened branches were pruned to safeguard the tree’s healthy growth and structure.
Historical Background And Lineage
Historians trace the current Bodhi tree to a sapling brought from Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka, and planted by Lord Cunningham in 1880. This marks the fourth Bodhi tree to stand at the site.
The original tree was destroyed between 272–262 BCE by Emperor Ashoka’s wife, Tisyarkshita. A second tree was felled between 602–620 CE by Shashank, a Bengal ruler hostile to Buddhism. A third tree, which regrew from the original roots, was lost during archaeological excavations under Cunningham.
The current tree, descended from the Sri Lankan Bodhi lineage, continues to be a living symbol of Lord Buddha’s enlightenment.
- Location :
Gaya, India, India
- First Published:
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