Location - Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Best Time To Visit - October to March
The Mahabodhi temple is located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. It is a Buddhist
temple, where every year tourists from worldwide visit to pay a tribute to
Lord Buddha and get soaked up in the serenity of Buddhism. It was in this
pious land of Bodh Gaya, that Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. The
temple is one of the four holy sites related to the life of Lord Buddha and
his attainment of enlightenment. The temple is said to have been built by
Emperor Ashoka in the third century. The Mahabodhi temple is one of the few
surviving examples of early brick structures in India.
Mahabodhi
Temple Complex
There is a huge statue of Lord Buudha inside the temple complex. In the
centre of the temple complex lies a Shiva Linga. The temple is of great
religious significance for the Hindus as Lord Buddha is said to be the ninth
incarnation of God Vishnu. The inside walls of the temple is very
beautifully decorated, showing paintings depicting the life of Buddha.
Along the temple lies a pond, where Buddha performed his ablutions. The
temple has a 52 metre dome which looks massive and beautiful. The dome was
however renovated in the 19th century CE. The Mahabodhi temple is one of the
earliest temple constructions existing in the Indian sub-continent.
The Bodhi Tree - The Bodhi tree of Bodh Gaya is said
to be the descendant of the original Bodhi tree where Buddha attained
enlightenment. The tree is 80 feet in height and is about 115 years old. The
tree is located just behind the temple.
The Jewel Walk - The Jewel Walk is a raised platform
where Buddha walked during his meditation times. The platform was built in
the 1st century B.C and is of 3 feet in height and 60 feet in length.
Markets - Outside the temple complex one can find
colourful shops selling decorative items, handicrafts and lot of other take
aways of great delight.
Though the Mahabodhi Temple was renovated extensively but it looks very
much original till date, giving ultimate solace to jaded hearts of the
millions.
Feather to the Cap
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya was designated the title of
UNESCO World Heritage Site in the year 2002. It is one of the favourite
hunts of people of Buddhist sect as well as a number of outbound travellers.
Dalai Lama often spends the month of December here.
