Mahabodhi Temple History
According to history, during 530 BC a young prince, Siddartha Gautama, was troubled by the widespread suffering in the world and wanted it to end. He wandered far and wide in search of a solution, and one day reached the bank of the Falgu River near the Gaya city. The area was forested. Here he meditated under a Peepul (fig) tree and after three days and three nights he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. The sacred tree was named as the Bodhi tree.
Around 260 BC, Emperor Ashoka built the Mahabodhi Temple in the sacred place to commemorate the holy incident. In the third century BC, Emperor Ashoka constructed the Vajrasana or the Diomond Throne, representing the seat of enlightenment. It was made of polished sandstone. He also built a stupa in reverence of Gautama Buddha, which was there till the second century AD. During the reign of the Gupta kings in seventh century AD, the Mahavira Mahabodhi temple was completed. The Pala kings of Bengal built the gold-painted statue of Buddha, which is made of Black stone. Here Gautama Buddha is seen seated in the Earth-touching posture or the Bhumisparsa Mudra.
Location of Mahabodhi Temple
Mahabodhi Temple is located at the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment. The place is in Bodhgaya, which is in the state of Bihar in India.
Mahabodhi Temple is famous for
The Mahabodhi Temple is the holiest shrine for Buddhists and is the main attraction in Bodhgaya. Visitors and worshippers from around the world visit this place, which is directly associated with the Buddha's life. The complex is elaborately crafted and maintained in a pristine manner, which gives it a serene and soothing ambiance. This spot in the Pali language is called Bodhimanda and the monastery is called Bodhimanda Vihara. The temple opens daily at 5 a.m. and closes at 9 p.m. Chanting and meditation are conducted daily during the opening and closing of the temple.
Here one can find records of the events that are associated with the life of Gautama Buddha, and also of the subsequent events, including the construction of the temple by Emperor Ashoka, works done by Gupta kings and Pala kings, etc. The temple stands as a perfect representation of one of the ancient brick structures with outstanding sculptural reliefs in stone built during the Gupta dynasty.
The Bodhi Tree at the Mahabodhi Temple
The Bodhi tree is considered most sacred by the Buddhists, because it is directly connected with the Buddha. It was under the Bodhi tree where Siddhartha Gautama, a prince who renounced all luxuries of life, attained enlightenment after three days of meditation and became the Buddha. The Mahabodhi temple was built to the east of this Peepal tree which was later named as Bodhi tree. The Jatakas believed that the navel of the earth lies in this spot. According to Buddhist belief, at the end of Kalpa when the world will be destroyed, this spot will be the last to disappear. Again, when the world will emerge into existence this holy spot will appear first.
When to Visit
In Bodhgaya, the season of pilgrimage starts from September after monsoon and is at the peak in January. Summers are very hot in this location, so it is better to avoid planning a trip during March to June. However, devotees come in large numbers in the month of May during the auspicious occasion of Buddha Jayanti, that is, the birthday celebration of the Buddha. June to September experiences heavy rainfall as monsoon sets in. The best time to visit the place is from November to February when the weather becomes pleasant, or during the Buddha Jayanti if you want to capture a moment of popular culture.
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Mahabodhi Temple - Entry Fee, Timing, Address, Official Website | |
|---|---|
| Address | Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee, Post office-2, Bodhgaya, Gaya, Bihar - 824231 |
| Entry Fee : | No entry fee |
| Timings : | Visiting Hours- 5:00 AM (Opening of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara (main shrine)) 5:00 AM - 6:00 AM (Sutta chanting and meditation) 10:00 AM Offering of Kheer (rice pudding cooked with rice, milk and sugar) 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm Sutta chanting (Mahayana tradition) 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm Sutta chanting (Pali) 9:00 PM Closing of the Mahabodhi Mahavihara. |
| Phone No (Official) | +91- 631-2200735 |
| Official Website | http://www.mahabodhi.com/ |
| Photography allowed or not | Allowed |
| Nearest railway station | Gaya Jn Train Station |
Last Updated on : July 04, 2017
