Another site at Nellikulama, Sri Lanka.

Nellikulama, on the road to Anuradhapura from Thantrimale, Sri Lanka.

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 Thanthrimale, Sri Lanka.

A water reservoir at a low level.

The 'Aavasa ge' - Priests' residence.

A 'Cannon ball tree' and its flowers.

Inside the new 'Budumedura', Thantrimale, Sri Lanka.

The statue of Lord Buddha.

Paintings on the walls depicting scenes from the 'Jathaka tales' done over the last few years.

'Sacred Bo Tree', 'Chaithya' and the 'Budhu Medhura', Thanthrimale, Sri Lanka.

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.