Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday traveled to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple situated in the ancient city of Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. The Prime Minsiter offered his prayers at the Buddhist temple.
PM Modi Accompanied by Sri Lankan President Dissanayake
Narendra Modi was accompanied by Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on the visit to Anuradhapura.
The Spiritual City of Anuradhapura is situated some 200 km from Colombo the capital of Sri Lanka.
The Prime Minister also went to seek blessings from the shrine’s head monk.
PM Narendra Modi Shares Reflections on Social Media
“Offered prayers at the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura with President Dissanayake. It’s a deeply humbling moment to be at one of the most revered sites in Buddhism,” Modi tweeted in a social media message.
“It is a living symbol of peace, enlightenment and spiritual continuity. May the teachings of Lord Buddha always guide us,” he said.
Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi’s Historic Significance
The Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple has a special place in the India-Sri Lanka civilisational connection.
The Holy Bodhi tree at the temple is said to have its origin in India’s Bodhgaya, the Prime Minister reaching Colombo on Friday after the end of his visit to Thailand signifies the importance that the temple carried.
The Bodhi sapling was carried by Theri Sanghamitta, daughter of Emperor Ashoka of India, and was planted there in the temple precincts.
India-Funded Railway Projects to Be Commissioned
PM Modi will also commission two India-funded railway projects. Modi and Dissanayake will also commission two India-funded railway projects during the Anuradhapura visit.
Strengthening India-Sri Lanka Ties Amid
On Saturday, Modi and Dissanayake engaged in long talks. After there conversation they announced more than 10 concrete outcomes including seven agreements to enhance cooperation. The various sectors including defence, energy and digitalisation.
The defence pact has been regarded as important as it marked a new momentum in the India-Sri Lanka strategic relationship almost four decades since the IPKF saga
The two sides also solidified a total of seven agreements. Which include an agreement on developing Trincomalee as an energy hub under a trilateral umbrella.
This agreement included the involvement of the United Arab Emirates and another on power grid interconnectivity to setup the energy hub.