Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar

Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar

The Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar is also known as Mahabodhi Mahavihara and the meaning of the temple name is "Great Awakening Temple". This ancient Buddhist Temple is situated in Bodhgaya, Bihar, the place where Lord Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment. The site of the temple stands east of the magnificent Mahabodhi Tree which is believed to be the exact spot according to legends where Lord Buddha gained his enlightenment, therefore, it became the major Buddhist pilgrimage center for Buddhists for over two thousand years and one of the must visit spots during Buddhist Tourism. Inside the temple complex, Animesh Lochan Chaitya Shrine is located and this place is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha spent a week meditating and looking at Bodhi Tree without blinking for once. Since then this place has been considered to be the place where one can learn focus and self-control.

According to the history of Mahabodhi Temple, the beautiful Buddhist site was maintained by its followers till the early years of the 13th century A.D. Well, some of the elements, structures and figures of the site date back to the period of Ashoka of 3rd century B.C. After the demolition of the temple structure, some restorations happened in the 19th century. Archeologists also find the site homage to the Buddhism religion. The Vajrasana which is located inside the temple also dates back to the 3rd century BCE. Another story is believed in Jatakas which says that the spot where Lord Buddha or Siddhartha Gautam found enlightenment is the navel of the earth as no other could support the weight of Buddha's attainment.

Mahabodhi Temple architecture is intricately designed by well skilled craftsmen although most of the old construction has been shifted to the museum. The base of the temple is 48 feet and it rises up to form the shape of a cylindrical pyramid. The temple top holds the Chatras which symbolizes the power of the Buddhist religion and the total height of the temple is 170 feet. A gateway opens into a little hall that leads to the sanctuary, which is home to a golden statue of the Buddha sitting and holding the soil, a testament to his attainment of enlightenment that is over five feet tall. Senior monks gather in the main hall, which houses a shrine with a Buddha statue, above the sanctuary, where they meditate. There are four Buddha statues in little shrine rooms at the temple's four corners of the wall. Over each of these shrines stands a tiny tower. The main temple is made up of brick, one of the oldest brick structures that survived. However, it is very well understood that only a very little of the original sculptural decoration remains. The style used for the temple construction has continued its legacy by featuring in Jain and Hindu temples till the present date, along with influencing other world countries to continue this architectural design like the Pagoda.

The Mahabodhi Temple has continued to be one of the best places to visit in Bihar because of its Buddhist culture, tradition and spirituality and now under the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites which signifies the ancient Buddhist culture and also attracts travelers for Bihar Tourism. Planning to visit this famous Buddhist site in Bihar then the ideal time to visit will be between the months of October to February. These months mark the winter season when the temperature stays between 15 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius, allowing visitors to enjoy the Mahabodhi Temple Tour and other sightseeing options in this pleasant weather. The city of Bodhgaya in Bihar is well connected with all the major cities through different routes of flights, railways and roads. Bodhgaya is approximately 15 kilometers from Gaya and 96 kilometers from Patna.