Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya (Bihar)

One of the holiest of holy pilgrim places for the Buddhists of the world is Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya. The city of Gaya is situated 105 km from Patna in the state of Bihar. Bodhgaya is 7 miles south of Gaya.

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This temple complex is India`s latest addition to UNESCO`s list of World Cultural Heritage sites and one of the four holy sites directly related to the life of the Buddha. The Vajrasan or Diamond Throne lying between the Bodhi Tree and the temple marks the actual spot of Buddha`s attainment of Enlightenment. A magnificent gilded image of Buddha is placed in the wall of the temple, and so are his footsteps carved in stone. The original shrine is said to have been constructed by the great Emperor Ashoka. Apart from its` religious significance, it has had significant influence in the development of architecture over the centuries.

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History : Emperor Ashoka built this temple in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples, in the Indian subcontinent that is built entirely in brick, still standing in India, from the late Gupta period. Even the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang who came here in A.D. 637 gave a vivid description of the temple at that time. Much of this ancient glory has been lost however and what exists of the temple today is a result of repairs and renovations since Emperor Ashoka`s time.

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The magnificent Maha Bodhi temple in Bodhgaya is an architectural amalgamation of many cultures. The temple is one of the few representations of the architectural genius of the Indian people in constructing fully developed brick temples in that era. The site of the Mahabodhi Temple provides exceptional records for the events associated with the life of Buddha and subsequent worship, particularly since Emperor Asoka built the first temple, the balustrades and the memorial column. The sculpted stone balustrades are an outstanding early example of sculptural reliefs in stone.

The Mahabodhi Temple built on the east of the sacred tree stands majestically 170 feet high on a base 50 feet square, and consists of a soaring 54 meters high pyramidal tower surmounted by a stupa and an ornamental arch way at the entrance. The temple carries inscriptions recording the visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, China and Mayanmar. It has an image of Buddha signifying the pose of enlightenment. The entrance of the temple has torana or ornamental archway. The south side of the temple has a lotus pond. On the walls of the temple one can see Buddha carved in different aspects, and in the sanctum sanctorum, a colossal Buddha, is seen touching the ground, which has mythological significance in the Buddhist teachings. Inside the complex, present is a museum near the temple, which has some more images of Buddha in gold, bronze and stone.

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people believe that the platform below the Bodhi tree where Buddha meditated is the center of the universe. The platform is called Vajrasana (a red stone slab). The platform has a stone carving of his footsteps where the devout make flower offerings. Then there is `Chaukramana`, the Jewel Walk, where it is believed that the Buddha strolled while in deep thought and `Animeshlochana` is the sacred spot where Buddha stood to gaze in gratitude at the Bodhi tree for a week.

Pilgrims from Tibet, Thai, Bhutan, Japan, China and Burma have also built their own temples here. A Buddha statue, which is 20 meters tall built in stone, can be seen at the end of the road, beyond the Japanese temple. The archaeological museum here houses a collection of terracotta and stone statues of the Buddha dating to 1st cent. B.C. and also samples of carved railings with lotus motifs and designs. Bodhgaya is also famous Indian Temple for the various meditation courses offered by a number of institutes, usually during October – February in and around the town.