The Mahabodhi temple at Bodh gaya in the central part of the state of Bihar is the place where Buddha attained enlightenment under the sacred Bodhi tree. The temple, along with the nearby Bodhi tree, is one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites. The Mahabodhi Mahavihara has now been declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO on the 27th June 2002.
Mahabodhi Temple History
Buddhists and historians alike recognize the Buddha as a historical figure who lived in the 6th or 5th century BC. The first temple at this place was built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C. About 250 years after the Enlightenment, Emperor Ashoka visited the site and built the Mahabodhi temple. But the present form of the temple is a reconstruction of the previous temple. He also erected a diamond throne shrine over a stone representation of the Vajrasana, the Seat of Enlightenment. The present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. Fahien first makes reference to the main temple and the Bodhi tree in 404-05 A.D. Hieun Tsang, who visited the site in 637 A.D. mentions the presence of walls surrounding the Bodhi tree. In the 13th century Bodhgaya came under the control of Muslim authorities, at this era the temple was neglected and deserted. During the 19th century, the Burmese kings made certain repairs. In 1883 the temple was restored by the British government under the supervision of British Archaeologist Sir A. Cunningham and J.D.M. Beglar and the Indian Archaeologist Dr. Rajendra Lal Mitra.
The Mahabodhi Temple Architecture
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is located in the very heart of the city of Bodh Gaya. The temple is a remarkable manifestation of the architectural dexterity of the artisans of the bygone era. The temple built entirely of brick is one of the few surviving examples of early brick structures in India. This temple had a strong influence in the development of later architectural traditions in the country. The Mahabodhi temple tower stands at a height of about 54 meters which is bounded by four more towers which are built in the same manner. The tall pyramidal tower of the temple is surmounted by a Stupa and an ornamental archway at the entrance. Inside the temple sits a large statue of Shakyamuni Buddha sitting in a 'Bhumisparsh Mudra' (touching the ground). This image is said to be 1700 years old and is facing east exactly at the place where the Buddha, sitting in meditation with his back to the Bodhi tree, was enlightened. All the four sides of Mahabodhi Temple are surrounded by the stone railings that are 2 meters in height. The older railings are made from sandstone and trace their origin around 150 BC. The later ones were constructed in the Gupta period (300-600 AD) and are made up of unpolished coarse granite. The temple is festooned with friezes that depict the life scenes from the life Buddha.
The site consists of the main temple and six sacred places within an enclosed area, and a seventh one, the Lotus Pond, just outside the enclosure to the south. The most important of the sacred places is the giant Bodhi Tree (Ficus religiosa). This tree is to the west of the main temple and is supposed to be a direct descendant of the original Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha spent his First Week and where he had his enlightenment on the full Moon day of Vaisakh Purnima (May month). Under Bodhi tree, there is a platform embracing the footprints of Lord Buddha carved in stone.
Next to the Bodhi Tree there is a place with a Buddha statue that stands on part of the polished sandstone Vajrasana (Diamond Throne). Vajrasana or the Diamond Throne is the seat of the Buddha’s Enlightenment. It was originally installed by Emperor Asoka to mark the spot where the Buddha sat and meditated.
To the north east of the temple on a raised area, is the Animeshlochan Chaitya (prayer hall) where Buddha is believed to have spent the second week in meditation in standing posture gazing at the Bodhi Tree with motionless eyes for one whole week. Ratnachakrama (Jewelled Ambulatory) located near the north wall of the main temple is the place where the Buddha is said to have spent the Third Week walking back and forth practicing the walking meditation, otherwise, called the Cankamana or the cloister walk. It is said that lotus flowers sprung up along this route. The raised platform with lotus flowers marks the spot where the Buddha kept his feet while walking.
Ratnaghar Chaitya located to the north-east near the enclosure wall is the place where Buddha is believed to have spent the fourth week in meditation. Ajapala Nigrodh Tree situated immediately after the steps of the east entrance on the central path is the site under which Buddha meditated during his Fifth Week after his attainment of Enlightenment and delivered a discourse to the people. Today a pillar marks the spot where the tree once stood. Muchalinda Sarovar is the place where the Buddha spent the sixth week in meditation after his Enlightenment. Rajayatna Tree Situated in the south of the Temple is the tree under which the Buddha spent the Seventh Week in meditation.
How to Reach Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya is one of the four most important pilgrim destination for the Buddhists and today attracts tourists from all across the globe. Bodh gaya is well equipped by all means of modern transport. The temple is about 100 km from Patna the capital of Bihar.
The nearest railhead is the Gaya Junction which is 13 km away from Bodh Gaya. This junction is well connected to major cities in state. The nearest airport is the airport in Gaya which is about 13 km away from city centre. This is a domestic airport and various domestic airlines operate from Gaya. Kolkata is the major airport available nearby, which is about 485 km away. Bodh Gaya is well connected by roads to various cities of India. The main bus stand is near Sujata Bridge on the bank of Falgu River on the north-eastern edge of the town. BSTDC runs regular buses from Patna to Bodh Gaya. Taxis and luxury buses connect Bodh Gaya with Kolkata.