Bodhgaya

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About the city

Bodh Gaya (once Uruvela village) is the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrim centre in the world. It was here that Gautama (prince siddharth) finally attained nirvana under the bodhi (banyan) tree and became Buddha, the enlightened one. Siddhartha Gautama was born in 566 BC in Lumbini (Nebal), as a Sakya prince of Kapilvastu. HE renounced the royal heritage and face hardships in search for the ‘Truth' - the causes of human suffering. Some of the most important events associated with his life, like enlightement and the last sermon, happened in Bihar and thus the state is regarded as the ‘cradle' or Buddhism. Today, Both Gaya is an international centre for Buddhism and has temples and monasteries built by various countries like, china, Japan, Sri Lanka, Vitnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, Bhutan and Nepal.

The history of this small town is associated with Buddhism since ancient times. The region around Bodhgaya formed the part of the first small kingdoms of India in the 7th century BC. It came into limelight only in the 6th century BC. After gaining enlightenment, Gautama became Buddha (The Enlightened One ) and spread his message of love and peace. To mark the spot where Gautama Buddha had attained enlightenment, the great Mauryan ruler, King Ashoka built a small shrine here in the 3rd century Bc. Subsequent rulers left their mark on this shrine, which finally took the shape of the Mahabodhi temple that still stands today.

Bodh Gaya is the holiest of Buddhist destinations and a World Heritage Site. It was here, under a pipal, or bodhi tree, that Siddhartha Gotama attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. A simple shrine was built by the emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE) to mark the spot, later enclosed by a stone railing (1st century BCE), part of which still remains. The uprights have representations of the Vedic gods Indra and Surya, and the railing medallions include carvings of imaginary beasts. This shrine was replaced in the Kushan period (2nd cent. CE) by the present Mahabodhi temple, which was refurbished in the Pala-Sena period (750-1200), heavily restored by Sir Alexander Cunningham in the second half of the 19th century, and finally restored by Myanmar (Burmese) Buddhists in 1882. The bodhi tree behind the temple is believed to be a descendant of the original.

Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha-to-be, had been dwelling on the banks of the Nairanjana River with five ascetic followers for six years practicing austerities. Realising that austerities could not lead to realisation he abandoned them. His five ascetic companions disgusted at his seeming failure, deserted him and left for Sarnath.

As Gautama sat in deep meditation, Mara, Lord of Illusion, perceiving that his power was about to be broken, rushed to distract him from his purpose. The Bodhisattva touched the earth, calling it to bear witness the countless lifetimes of virtue that had led him to this place of enlightenment. When the earth shook, confirming the truth of Gautama's words, Mara unleashed his army of demons. In the epic battle that ensued, Gautama's wisdom broke through the illusions and the power of his compassion transformed the demons' weapons into flowers and Mara and all his forces fled in disarray.

The land of enlightenment of Buddha

Bodh Gaya (one Uruvela village) is the place where, 2500 years ago, in the century BC, a young ascetic, Siddhartha, attained englightenment to become the Buddha, and found Buddhism, one of the world's oldest religious. Born into the ruling family of the Sakyas, Siddhartha had renounced his royal heritage, and since then had faced May hardships in his search for Truth. He came to Bodh Gaya looking for a quiet retreat where he could meditate upon the causes for human suffering. Located in Bihar, 115 kms from Patna, the land is rich and fertile, dotted with green fields and watered by the river Phalgu - the some ancient Naira Jana rive where the Buddha bathed after attaining enlightenment.

The city of Buddha Serene and quiet, this tiny little village, holiest among the holy places is Bodhgaya, where the quest of Prince Siddhartha was fulfilled after years of seeking the truth, and the saga od Buddha began. He attained the supreme enlightement and became ‘The Buddha', The Enlightened One. Thus Buddhism was born here under the Peepal tree which is known as Bodhi tree. Prince Siddhartha had been wandering in search of supreme peace for six long years, hither and thither. But it was only at Bodhgaya where his holy mission was achieved.

Bodhgaya is one of the four most important Buddhist places of pilgrimage as Buddha acheved enlightenment here in about 528 BC. The Mahabodhi Temple marks the site of the Bodhi tree (actually a peepful or of the fig family; bodhi means enlightenment) under which Buddha sat and meditated. On the right, as you enter the compound you see an ole temple with a standing figure of Buddha and a library of Tibetan books. The original temple, built by Ashoka, forms a base for the present structure which dates from the second century AD. Inside is a large gilded image of Buddha and the pyramidal spire rises 50 m. The sunken courtyard with its many stupas is more pleasing. The tree festooned with flags grew from a cutting of one at Annuradhapura in Sri Lanka, itself grown from the original tree. The stone railing around the temple is a copy, most of the original having been removed to various museums. Near the Temple is the Tibetan Mahayana Monastery which houses a massive Dharma Chakra or Whell of Law. This 10 m high metal drum, painted in bright reds and golds, is to be revolved three times from left to right. The best way to see this place is to go on foot.

Many Buddhist communities have built temples, monasteries, and rest houses at Bodhgaya in recent years, and these are well worth seeing. Most notable is a 25 m high statue of a seated Buddha in meditation pose built by the Japanese. Meditation courses are run during the winter.

It is hard to sum up Bodhgaya but it is certainly a quiet and pleasant place to visit.

Demography

Bodh Gaya has a population of about 30,883. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. It has an average literacy rate of 51%, lower than the national avarage of 59.5%; with male literacy of 63% and female literacy of 38%. 18% of the population is under 6years of age.

Bodhgaya Revitalised

Under the Bodhi tree Since 1953, Bodh Gaya has been developed as an international place of pilgrimage. Buddhists from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Tibet, Bhutan and Japan have established monasteries and temples within easy walking distance of the Mahabodhi compound. The site of the enlightenment now attracts Buddhists and tourists from all over the world.

At any time during the cooler months between December and March, a visitor to Bodh Gaya can observe a continual stream of Indian and international pilgrims walking the roads or arriving in buses, circumambulating the temple, performing prostrations and offering prayers in a multitude of languages. For those who aspire to awaken their full potential, Bodh Gaya today is truly a field vibrant with the potentiality of enlightenment. Enriched by devotion of Buddhists of all traditions, this holy site is emerging as a powerful inspiration to the modern world, awakening people of all nations to the real possibility of enlightenment.

Sign over the entrance to Bodhgaya.

In 2002, UNESCO declared the Mahabodhi Temple a World Heritage Site and recommended "to the Indian authorities to develop an overall management plan to protect the values of the World Heritage site. Such a plan should include a provision for regular monitoring of conditions at the site, including the impact that tourism may have on the religious and spiritual significance of the place." The Mahabodhi Temple is overseen by the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee. Exploring Mahabodhi Temple

The Mahabodhi Temple is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built in brick that still survives today. The ground level of the temple is 45 meters square, stretching up in a pyramid shape that ends in a smaller square platform. The central tower of Mahabodhi stands 180 feet (54 meters) tall. The brickwork on the outside of the temple depicts scenes from the life of the Buddha.

For all those on a spiritual quest, Bodhgaya in Bihar is one of the four holiest cities of Buddhist faith. It is deeply associated with the life of Gautam Buddha and it boasts of historical and archeological treasures and witnesses a myriad of tourists and visitors each year to catch a glimpse of its architectural marvels. Devoted Buddhists from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Tibet, Thailand, China, Bhutan and Japan, and tourists from all over throng Bodhgaya to study Buddhism and the art of meditation. The main attraction here is the Mahabodhi Temple, within which is housed the Bodhi Tree, where Buddha attained salvation. Among other interesting temples are the Japanese Temple with its gold statues and the Thai Temple with its ornate Tibetan paintings and a Bhutanese shrine with bright colored carvings of their god. The real essence of Buddhism, you must not miss the Buddh Purnima celebrations or the 3-week long festival for world peace, which offer meditation and scripture recitations and distribution of alms to the poor. This absolutely enchanting Buddhist pilgrimage is not just a historical site, but is a center of living faith.

Moving Around

The best option to explore this tiny city is to hire a car from Gaya or Patna. Alternately, auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and horse-drawn carts, called tongas are available for a city tour.