Information of Mahabodhi Temple, Gaya, Bihar

The Mahabodhi Temple is located in Bodhagaya in the Indian state of Bihar. It is a Buddhist temple and listed under the UNESCO world Heritage Site. In the history of India this place is where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment hence the name Mahabodhi or "the Great awakening".

Mahabodhi Temple Religious Significance

The Mahabodhi temple draws a large number of Buddhist Pilgrims as it is the most sacred grounds of for Buddhists. People from all around world visit the holy site. The most important festival celebrated in the Buddha Jyanti. The temple is open throughout the year. The timings at which devotees are allowed to visit the temple are scheduled from 5:00 am till 12:00 noon and again from 9:00 pm. No entry fee is charged and the visiting during is about 2 hours.

Mahabodhi Temple Mythology & History

After many battles Emperor Ashoka realised his sins and decided to follow the simple path of Buddhism. He constructed the present temple out of bricks the oldest Buddhist Temple surviving today. After the decline of Buddhism the temple was attacked by various invaders. But eventually it was restored King of Thailand approved by archaeological survey of India. In 2013 there was severe attack when bombs were exploded injuring 5 people. The main temple however was not destroyed.

Around 530 BC the son of the King of Kapilavastu, Siddhartha Gautama was saddened with the suffering in the world and decided to renounce his worldly pleasures as a prince. When he reached Gaya he sat under a peepul tree in deep meditation. After Three days and three nights he attained enlightenment. Despite of many distractions he remained focused and attains spiritual Nirvana. Later the tree of enlightenment became to be known as the Bodhi tree. Buddha spent seven weeks around the spot in different positions. The unblinking stupa was build where he stood in the second week of his enlightenment unblinking at the Bodhi tree. He also spent her week imparting teachings to Brahmins.

According to Buddhist mythology it is very essential to grow a Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya. The Jataka tales tell us that Bodhgaya is the naval of the earth and no other place in world can lift the weight of the power of the enlightenment of Lord Buddha. Therefore considered as the most auspicious and sacred place on earth.

Mahabodhi Temple Architectural Significance

The Old temple destroyed earlier was made up of sandstones as early as 150 BC. Emperor Ashoka built the present temple after 200 years of Lord Buddha's enlightenment. The temple is built in the Dravidian style architecture and is an opposite of the usual Nagara style temples.

Presently, the Mahabodhi Temple is the oldest temple made up of bricks in eastern India. The temple roof consists of a single spine pyramidal in shape and is 55 meters high and is surrounded by four other but smaller ones. It is surrounded by walls on all sides measuring about two meters high. The walls of the temple is carved with images of Hindu Gods like Laxmi, Surya and also figures of Garuda, the eagle and of scared lotus flowers. There is a magnificent statue of Lord Buddha in meditation in the sanctum sanctorum seated on magnificent diamond throne made up of red sandstone at the exact location of Lord Buddha's enlightenment. The chamber is coated with gold. The shrine is decorated with offering from devotes. A lotus pond is located near the temple.

The holy Bodhi tree is situated to the west of the main temple. Towards the north of the temple is the unblinking stupa which hols a statue of Lord Buddha staring at the Bodhi tree.