Saturday, 26 January 2013

Mahabodhi Temple


Mahabodhi Temple
It is believed that Lord Gautam Buddha despondent on not being able to find the reality of life reached Bodh Gaya, denounced asceticism and achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and since then all the major sites related to the Buddha's life including Bodh Gaya became pilgrimages for the Buddhists round the world. It is the most venerated site amongst the Buddhists. It is situated at a distance of 96 kilometers from Patna, the capital of Bihar. Many Hindus believed Lord Buddha as the manifestation of Lord Vishnu. Bodhgaya is a small town in the Indian state of Bihar. It is the place where Gautam Siddhartha got enlightenment. The central tower of the Mahabodhi Temples is 55 meters long. On the west of the temple is the holy Bodhi Tree under which Buddha got enlightenment.

The Maha Bodhi temple is believed to have been built by the great Indian emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE in honor of Buddha.  There is a raised walkway known as the Chankramana Chaitya or the Jewel Path and a lotus pond in the temple, where Buddha used to meditate. The temple has a 52-meter dome or central tower, which was renovated in the 19th century CE and still stands intact in its original framework without losing its charm. The temple is one the UNESCO world heritage sites The Mahabodhi Temple is surrounded on all four sides by stone railings, about two meters high. Many Buddhist temples and monasteries have been constructed within and around the Mahabodhi Temple. These temples have been built by the Buddhist followers of different countries like Sri Lanka, Japan, Bhutan, Sikkim, Nepal, Thailand, Tibet, China, Myanmar, Vietnam, etc. reflecting the architecture of these countries. It is the one of the very few brick structures that have survived in eastern India.

How to Reach Bodhgaya

By Air:
Gaya Airport is 14 km from the city.
By Rail:
Gaya junction is well connected to major cities of India.
By Road:
Good condition roads connect Gaya to other major cities of India.

Fact Files : Mahabodhi Temple
Initially called : Bodhimanda-vihāra
Location : Bodhgaya, Bihar, India
Importance : Place of Nirvana of Lord Buddha
Faith : Buddhism
Features : Footsteps of Lord Buddha
Declared as : UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002

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