Monument Name Mahabodhi Temple Location Gaya, Bihar State Bihar Timings Coordinates 24.6833, 84.9834 Wikipedia Links http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabodhi_Temple Entrance Fee Other Details

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Lord Gautam Buddha, when tried unsuccessfully all major means to dip deep in the reality of life, reached Bodh Gaya, denounced asceticism and attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. After His mahaparinirvana, all the major sites related to the Buddha's life including Bodh Gaya became pilgrimages for the Buddhists around the world.

The Maha Bodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India is one of those four foremost sites venerated by the Buddhists as it still reveres the Buddha's enlightenment. It was here that Siddhartha realised the 'Middle Way', which subsequently became the centre of His teachings.

The Maha Bodhi temple is administered by the Hindus and the Buddhist council jointly as the Hindus also consider the Buddha as a reincarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu. Therefore, the combined contribution of both the sects presents the core of the vivid Indian culture in form of unity.

The Temples Architecture

The Maha Bodhi temple, which dates back from the 3rd century BCE till the modern times, is one of the few early monumental brick structures to have survived in the north-eastern India. Marked by a 52 meter tall dome and a large gilded Buddha's statue next to the Bodhi Tree, the temple presents a unique architectural style.

Maha Bodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, Bihar, IndiaThe Maha Bodhi temple is believed to have been built by the great Indian emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE in honour of the Buddha. The walls inside the temple are decorated with friezes depicting the Buddha's life. There is a raised walkway, known as the Chankramana Chaitya or the Jewel Path (where the Buddha meditated and walked), which is situated alongside the northern wall of the temple. Besides, there is a lotus pond along the temple, which is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha performed his ablutions.

The temple has a 52 meter dome or central tower, which was renovated in the 19th century CE. The dome consists of several horizontal bands of mouldings and arch motifs, which further extend upward to an 'amalaka' with its top in umbrella-shaped forms, very much similar to those found in the early Buddhist stupas. Further, there are four similar smaller towers around the central tower, which were added to the main structure in the 19th century CE. Towards the west of the temple lies the Bodhi tree, under which the Siddhartha Gautama had achieved enlightenment and became the Buddha.

The Maha Bodhi temple was renovated and extensively built in the 19th century CE, but still it did not lose its originality and remained in the same format as it was built, facing towards the east.

Today, the Maha Bodhi temple is a site sacred for every Buddhist, particularly of the Theravadins, who have copied the original structure while constructing the temples in Nepal, Thailand and Myanmar.

Location and Accessibility

The Maha Bodhi temple is situated at Bodh Gaya, in the southern Bihar, India. Bodh Gaya is at a distance of 100 Kilometers from Patna, the capital of Bihar. By airways, it is connected directly to Colombo and Bangkok. Bodh Gaya can be reached by rail, road or air conveniently. Gaya has an important railway station with services from many parts of India. Gaya and Bodh Gaya, both are well connected by roadways to other major cities such as Patna, the state capital of Bihar and Ranchi, the state capital of Jharkhand. Bodh Gaya is connected to Gaya by regular and frequent transport services and can easily be reached within half an hour or so, as it is just 12 kilometers away. Gaya, 12 kilometers away from Bodh Gaya, is the main access station to reach Bodh Gaya.

Best Time To Visit

Bodh Gaya can be visited throughout the year. But the best deal is paying a visit in the months between October and March due to the pleasant weather. The Maha Bodhi temple remains open for the visitors everyday between 6 am to 12 noon and from 2 pm to 6.30 pm.

Mahabodhi Temple

Mahabodhi TempleMahabodhi Temple is one of the ancient and most important shrines of India. Located at Bodhgaya, Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple is easily accessible from the major towns and cities of Bihar. The nearest airport is located at Patna that lies at a distance of 96 kms from Gaya. The holy town Bodh Gaya or Gaya has its own railway station. The town is also connected with major cities by network of roads. The literal version of Mahabodhi Temple is the Great Awakening Temple.

Bodhgaya is a renowned place where Lord Buddha got enlightenment. Perched on the banks of Niranjana River, Bodhgaya is a highly revered site of Buddhists. Pilgrims from all over the globe come to visit Bodhgaya, the awakening site. In the folklores, Bodhgaya has been mentioned as the place of great importance. According to Jatakas, Bodhgaya is the navel of the earth. This is only place that could abide the power of the Buddha's attainment.

Mahabodhi Temple is regarded to have been constructed by Emperor Ashoka, who visited the place after 250 years of enlightenment. It boasts of a 52 m tall spire that houses the colossal gilded image of Lord Buddha. In the sanctum sanctorum, the huge image of Buddha looks mesmerizing in which he is sitting in a 'Bhumisparsh Mudra' (touching the ground). It is said that the image is 1700 years old and positioned in a manner that Lord Buddha faces the east. Mahabodhi Temple along with Bodhi Tree completes the holy pilgrimage to Bodhgaya.

Bodhi Tree is actually a fig tree, which grew from the original tree under whose kind shelter Lord Sakyamuni meditated and ultimately attained enlightenment. Owing to this, he became Buddha. Bodhi Tree is a significant part of Bodh Gaya, which is believed to grow on the day, Gautama Buddha was born. Under Bodhi tree, there is a platform embracing the footprints of Lord Buddha carved in stone. In its vicinity, a slab of red sandstone adorns the site. This slab marks the spot where the Lord sat in meditation.

The temple is festooned with friezes that depict the life scenes of Buddha. Along the northern wall of temple, Chankramana Chaitya (Jewel Path) is a raised walkway, where Lord Buddha used to meditate while walking. Adjoining the temple, there is lotus pond that is said to have been the place, where Lord Buddha executed his ablutions. The original temple is assumed to have been constructed in the 3rd century, however the present structure dates back to 5th or 6th century.

Built wholly in brick, Mahabodhi Temple is one of the earliest Buddhist shrines that have managed to restrain the ravages of the times. Mahabodhi Temple is regarded as the excellent specimen of Indian brickwork. This oldest brick structure became the role model for many later architectural works. In 2002, the marvelous temple was announced as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Mahabodhi Temple is acclaimed to be the property of Bihar State Government.

Architecture

The history of Mahabodhi Temple is not apparent. The style of the edifice declares that it was built primarily to form a monument, not a shrine of Buddha. The four towers on the corners rise elegantly, escorting the main tower to an extent. Encircled on all four sides by stone railings, Mahabodhi Temple bears railings of two types, equally in style and material. The older railings are made from sandstone and trace their origin around 150 BC. Dating back to Gupta period (300 CE - 600 CE), the other railings are erected from unpolished coarse granite. The old railings comprise images of Hindu deities, while the later ones have got figures of stupas (reliquary shrines) and garudas (eagles).