The Mahabodhi Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient, but much rebuilt and restored, Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.
Bodh Gaya is about 96 km from Patna, Bihar state, India.
On 7th July 2013 the temple was bombed by Islamist Jihadi Indian Mujaheedeen group. Around 5:15 am, a very low intensity bomb exploded and only 5 people got the injury.
The site contains a descendant of the Bodhi Tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment, and has been a major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists for well over two thousand years, and some elements probably date to the period of Asoka (died c.232 BCE). What is now visible on the ground essentially dates from the 7th century CE, or perhaps somewhat earlier, as well as several major restorations since the 19th century. But the structure now may well incorporate large parts of earlier work, possibly from the 2nd or 3rd century CE.
Many of the oldest sculptural elements have been moved to the museum beside the temple, and some, such as the carved stone railing wall around the main structure, have been replaced by replicas. The main temple's survival is especially impressive, as it was mostly made of brick covered with stucco, materials that are much less durable than stone. But this means that very little of the original sculptural decoration has survived
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Mahabodhi Temple is one of the ancient and most important shrines of India. Located at Bodhgaya, Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple is easily accessible from the major towns and cities of Bihar. The nearest airport is located at Patna that lies at a distance of 96 kms from Gaya. The holy town Bodh Gaya or Gaya has its own railway station. The town is also connected with major cities by network of roads. The literal version of Mahabodhi Temple is the Great Awakening Temple.
Bodhgaya is a renowned place where Lord Buddha got enlightenment. Perched on the banks of Niranjana River, Bodhgaya is a highly revered site of Buddhists. Pilgrims from all over the globe come to visit Bodhgaya, the awakening site. In the folklores, Bodhgaya has been mentioned as the place of great importance. According to Jatakas, Bodhgaya is the navel of the earth. This is only place that could abide the power of the Buddha's attainment.
Mahabodhi Temple is regarded to have been constructed by Emperor Ashoka, who visited the place after 250 years of enlightenment. It boasts of a 52 m tall spire that houses the colossal gilded image of Lord Buddha. In the sanctum sanctorum, the huge image of Buddha looks mesmerizing in which he is sitting in a 'Bhumisparsh Mudra' (touching the ground). It is said that the image is 1700 years old and positioned in a manner that Lord Buddha faces the east. Mahabodhi Temple along with Bodhi Tree completes the holy pilgrimage to Bodhgaya.
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Bodhi Tree is actually a fig tree, which grew from the original tree under whose kind shelter Lord Sakyamuni meditated and ultimately attained enlightenment. Owing to this, he became Buddha. Bodhi Tree is a significant part of Bodh Gaya, which is believed to grow on the day, Gautama Buddha was born. Under Bodhi tree, there is a platform embracing the footprints of Lord Buddha carved in stone. In its vicinity, a slab of red sandstone adorns the site. This slab marks the spot where the Lord sat in meditation.
The temple is festooned with friezes that depict the life scenes of Buddha. Along the northern wall of temple, Chankramana Chaitya (Jewel Path) is a raised walkway, where Lord Buddha used to meditate while walking. Adjoining the temple, there is lotus pond that is said to have been the place, where Lord Buddha executed his ablutions. The original temple is assumed to have been constructed in the 3rd century, however the present structure dates back to 5th or 6th century.
Built wholly in brick, Mahabodhi Temple is one of the earliest Buddhist shrines that have managed to restrain the ravages of the times. Mahabodhi Temple is regarded as the excellent specimen of Indian brickwork. This oldest brick structure became the role model for many later architectural works. In 2002, the marvelous temple was announced as the World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Mahabodhi Temple is acclaimed to be the property of Bihar State Government.
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Architecture:
The history of Mahabodhi Temple is not apparent. The style of the edifice declares that it was built primarily to form a monument, not a shrine of Buddha. The four towers on the corners rise elegantly, escorting the main tower to an extent. Encircled on all four sides by stone railings, Mahabodhi Temple bears railings of two types, equally in style and material. The older railings are made from sandstone and trace their origin around 150 BC. Dating back to Gupta period (300 CE - 600 CE), the other railings are erected from unpolished coarse granite. The old railings comprise images of Hindu deities, while the later ones have got figures of stupas (reliquary shrines) and garudas (eagles).
On 7th July 2013 the Mahabodhi temple was bombed by Islamist Jihadi Indian Mujaheedeen group. Around 5:15 am, a very low intensity bomb exploded and only 5 people got the injury.
When the Lord Gautam Buddha sits in the deep meditation, the Lord of Illusion named as Mara, perceived that he would reach the enlightenment sooner. He felt fear that his powers would get challenged. He thought of distracting the Gautam Buddha does meditation. A battle turned up with the Gautam Buddha and Mara. But with the Gautam Buddha wisdom, Mara got the defeat. Mara went away with all his forces.
In Hindu religion the Lord Buddha is being said that he was the 9th embodiment of Lord Vishnu. Some of the great leaders of Hindus like Tulsidas, Kshemandra, Jayadeva and Adi Shankar Acharya have given the honor to the Lord Buddha for their works.
The construction of the temple Emperor Ashoka was a short tempered person. He was also known by the name Ashoka the Fierce or Chandaashoka. During the Kalinga war there was mass death taking place around 261 BC, which hearted his soul and changed him completely. He became the follower of Buddhism and became Dharma Mahapatro. He propagates the religion all over the world and sends his son and daughter to Sri Lanka for propagating the religion.
The tree on this site is known to be the descendent of the Bodhi tree in the original. This temple is known to be the holy pilgrimage place for the entire Buddhist in the world.
When the construction of the temple was done, a dilemma was there that where to build the right statue. A man came and said that he can do this work perfectly. He asked for the scented clay with a lamp which needs to be placed inside the temple and
On 7th July 2013 the temple was bombed by Islamist Jihadi Indian Mujaheedeen group. Around 5:15 am, a very low intensity bomb exploded and only 5 people got the injury.
In the Jataka tales which are popular tales that around 2500 years ago, the Lord Buddha came here for the first time. The huge Fig Tree is covered all around with the Mandala which was made up of silver white color sandy ridge. All around the tree there were grassy woodland and creepers which seems that they are showing respect to their lord. A river named as, Niranjana flowed need the area having the coolest and glassy water in it. When the Lord Buddha was facing the river, a lovely vision opened through a channel of Sala trees. Lord Buddha never visited the site again, but said that it was one of the four places which is worth to visit for inspiration. The other three sites which Lord Gautam Buddha considered to have inspirations are Sarnath, Kushinagar and Lumbini.
At a time when there is no growth of the Bodhi Tree, the life of the plant ceases to exist around that area. No life of any plant grows around, not even the grass grows in that area.
On 7th July 2013 the temple was bombed by Islamist Jihadi Indian Mujaheedeen group so that to take the revenge of the Muslim killing done in Burma. Around 5:15 am, a very low intensity bomb exploded and only 5 people got the injury.