| Places of Interest |
| Introduction | Places of Interest | How to Reach |
| The Mahabodhi Temple |
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The Mahabodhi temple is an imposing brick structure that is enclosed on three sides by an ancient stone railing. The temple celebrates the birth of Buddhism, for it is under a tree adjacent to this temple, that Prince Siddhartha became the Buddha by attaining enlightenment.
The Mahabodhi temple has a giant pyramidal structure (sikhara) which rises to a height of 54 m. It has a quadrangular base and four spires at the corners. It can be seen for miles around and distinguishes Bodhgaya from other Buddhist centres. Inside it you will find a gilded image of the Buddha. The bricks in the oldest part of the temple have been fitted together without the use of cement. It stands at the site of a shrine built by King Ashoka, who ruled over Magadha during the 3rd century BC. The present structure was most recently renovated in the 1880s, but is believed to have been rebuilt and restored during the 6 and 7th centuries and again in the 11th Century.
Buddhists from other parts of the world have been closely linked to this temple. During the 4th century, the Sri Lankan King, Sri Meghavanna built a monastery in Bodhgaya. Another Sri Lankan monk Mahanama visited the place in 588 AD and built a shrine with a statue of the Buddha. The remains of this can still be seen near the northern staircase leading to the temple. The monastery was still there in the 7th century when Xuan Zhang travelled to India and it was also recorded by Dharmasvamin, another traveller and a monk from Sri Lanka, who visited the place in the 13th century.
In the 19th century, the British Lt Governor of Bengal, Sir Ashley Eden appointed Sir Alexander Cunningham and J D Beglar to excavate and restore the temple. This four-year project began in 1880, and cost Rs 2,00,000, money raised mostly from overseas Buddhists. The restoration by Beglar was based on a miniature model found during excavation. There was a hue and cry about Beglar's lack of understanding of Indian architecture and some believe that his attempt actually damaged the ruins. In 1956 the temple was renovated with the help of large international grants. Today the restored temple looks majestic. However, in spite of its historical significance, the temple has not yet been declared a protected monument. |
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| Stone Railing |
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Remains of a massive stone railing are at present found enclosing the Great Temple on three sides along its plinth. The western side of railing provides with a small entrance facing the Bodhi tree. The total height of the railing from ground level is about 10-ft. Part of the railing is of sandstone while part is of granite. The railing bears carvings such as sculptured panels, medallions, and other ornamental patterns, those on the sandstone portion differing materially from those on the granite portion. The former contain relieves representing scenes from the Buddha's life, the sacred tree, the wheel, the stupa, the Gaja-Lakshmi, the sun-god with his horse-drawn chariot and human figures like kings, merchants, devotees etc. The latter contain mostly ornamental motifs such as the eagles, chaityas-etc- carved in the characteristic of the Gupta period. |
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| Bodhi Tree |
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It is the most sacred Pippal Tree (ficus religiosa) under which Prince Siddhartha became Buddha the Enlightened One. It is believed to have continued to exist since the days of the Buddha. According to Buddhist tradition, the queen of Emperor Ashoka, Tishyarakshita, destroyed the tree out of rage but the Emperor immediately revived it. King Sashanka of Bengal again uprooted it but the King Purnavarman of Magadha revived it soon thereafter. The present tree is believed to be the fourth or fifth generation offspring of the original. |
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| Vajrasana |
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Vajrasana or the Diamond Throne is a polished platform made of gray sandstone. It was perhaps placed by the Emperor Ashoka underneath the Bodhi tree against the western wall of the great temple. It represents that place where Lord Buddha sat in deep meditation and attained the Supreme Enlightenment. |
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| Jewel Walk |
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According to Buddhist tradition, Buddha walked to and fro near the sacred tree for seven days, immediately after attaining the Supreme Enlightenment. The spot where he so walked appear to have become sacred quite early and a shrine was built over it in about 1st century B.C. |
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| Animesh Lochan |
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This whitewashed temple stands slightly off the walk to the Mahabodhi temple. It is a miniature of the Mahabodhi temple and is said to mark the spot where the Buddha spent a week gazing at the Bodhi tree in gratitude after attaining enlightenment. He is supposed to have stood here unblinking (animesh). Hindu pilgrims also frequent this spot since they worship Buddha as the ninth incarnation of Vishnu. |
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| Muchalinda Tank |
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Close to the south of the Great Mahabodhi Temple is a sacred tank named after Nagaraja Muchalinda (the serpent king) who, according to tradition, protected Lord Buddha from storm and rains while he was engrossed in a deep meditation after attaining the Supreme Enlightenment. |
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| Stupas |
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The Mahabodhi temple complex is dotted with an abundance of stupas. A majority of them date back to the Pala period (8th to 12th century) though there are older ones too. These stupas were built by pilgrims who came from Buddhist countries like Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka, and Tibet. You can easily identify the colourfully painted Tibetan stupas. |
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| Ashoka's Pillar |
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At the south-east corner of the temple stands a part of the Ashokan pillar. Originally erected at Bodhgaya, this pillar was found near Gaya and was moved here in 1956. |
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| Hindu Temples |
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Also within the premises of the Mahabodhi temple, is a row of Hindu shrines. These temples probably came up during the period of struggle between Brahmanical and Buddhist sects. The first of these shrines has an interesting collection of Buddha statues that are now confusingly dressed up to look like Hindu deities. Brahman priests here, who look distinctly different from the Buddhist monks, will probably ask you for a donation. |
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| Niranjana or Falgu River |
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This river is a natural landmark that attracts tourists who like to wade in the water to cool off, especially in the summer. The river is wide, sandy and shallow even in the rainy season. It's a great picnic spot for tourists who want to sit around on the banks under shady trees. |
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| Sujata's Stupa |
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According to legend, when Prince Siddhartha was ailing after practising severe penance, a woman named Sujata offered him some kheer (rice pudding) which helped him recover miraculously. This stupa is supposed to mark the spot where she found him. However, there are some doubts about the authenticity of the location. You can reach the stupa after crossing the bridge across the river and walking along a trail across paddy fields for 15 minutes. The local caretaker of this abandoned site has made it his business to maintain a record of visitors after which you will be asked to make a donation. On the way to this location, you will pass villages, the heartland of rural India. |
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| Archaeological Museum |
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Near the ITDC Ashok hotel and a short walk from the temple, is a museum with a large, interesting collection of relics (Buddhist and Hindu) along with terracotta seals, scriptures and railings/pillars from the Sunga period (1 BC to 1 AD). You can admire the ancient statues of the Buddha and the Bodhisattvas, one of which has an inscription that dates back to 383 AD. Also on display, is a carved stone model of the original temple, found during excavation. As you enter the garden, a life-size statue of Buddha in black stone welcomes you. Unfortunately the statue's head is missing. Entry to the museum costs Rs 5. It is open from 10 am to 5 pm and closed on Friday. Some publications and books on Bodhgaya and Buddhist art and architecture are for sale at the ticket counter. Photography is prohibited inside the museum. If you happen to visit the museum during the off-season period, insist on the hall lights being switched on. |
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| Modern monasteries |
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Buddhists of different countries have, over the years, built temples in their own particular architectural styles in Bodhgaya. Some of them are worth a visit: A Tibetan temple of the Gelgupa (yellow cap) sect with a huge prayer wheel, has its walls painted in traditional Tibetan style with scenes from the Buddha's life. It stands right next to the Mahabodhi guesthouse. The Chinese temple near it is a simpler structure, a more sober expression of faith. Wat Bodhgaya, the Thai temple is one of the more impressive monasteries in Bodhgaya. It was built in 1956 by the Thai King and the Indian Prime Minister as an initiative to strengthen relations between the two countries. The temple stands facing the main road, next to the tourist bungalow. A new, brightly painted Bhutanese temple can be found at the corner of the main road. There is a small Tibetan temple built by the Kagyu sect that stands close to the Bhutanese temple. Two Japanese temples (the Daijokyo and Indosan Nipponji) have a simple design with neat gardens. Nearby is the Giant Buddha statue, which is 24 m tall and has the Buddha seated in the Dhyan Mudra position. |
| Bakraur |
| The village lies in Bodh Gaya block on the bank of the river Niranjana about 14-kms south of Gaya. According to Buddhist tradition, Lord Buddha on his penance and eventual enlightenment was offered here Kheer (rice-pudding) by a village maid, Sujata. There is a mound in the village known as Sujata Kutir, said to cover the site of her original home. This is a Buddhist site and religious place for Buddhists. |
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| Dharmaranya |
| The place is situated at a distance of 3-kms from Bodhgaya and is located near the village Silaunja on the bank of river Mohane. It is said that Yudhisthira performed a Yajna (sacrifice offering) at this place some times after the epic war of Mahabharata. A pond and a few small but well designed temples dedicated to different Gods are here believed to be associated with this event. The place is also held holy by the Buddhists, as Lord Buddha is believed to have meditated here for some time. |
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| Rajayatana |
| The Rajayatana Tree is believed to be the spot where the Buddha spent time preaching to two seekers of the Truth. While the actual site has not been identified yet, a marble inscription stands as a dummy. |
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