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Bodhgaya, Gaya (Bihar) |
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In his divine quest for enlightenment, once a dejected prince from the kingdom of Kapilavastu landed up at a place near the bank of River Niranjana. He found the sylvan solitude of the place, known as Bodhgaya, the perfect base to attain eternal bliss. Eventually meditating underneath a spiritual tree he discovered the ultimate Truth and became - The Buddha. Today this very place-Bodhgaya forms the most important Buddhist Pilgrimage Center in the world. People from far and abroad visit the site to learn about Buddhism and the art of meditation or simply engaged with the splendid ambience of the place where the root of Buddhism lies. It is located at a distance of about 12 km from the district of Gaya in Bihar.
The Mahabodi Temple at Bodhgaya is one of the major attractions among tourists. It stands on the 3 rd century BC shrine built by Emperor Ashoka. The temple comprises of 150 feet high tower, and inside it contains a colossal image of Buddha in a sitting posture that symbolizes the accomplishment of His supreme enlightenment. There are varied scenes from Buddha's life inscribed on its every wall. In fact the architecture of this magnificent temple carries a rich blend of many cultures and heritages.
Within the temple complex lies the sacred Tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. Though the original tree was lost with time and age, but the tree growing here now is believed to be the direct sibling of it. One of the sapling from the original tree was taken to Sri Lanka by Sanghamitra (Ashoka's daughter) to spread Buddhism in the island. Today the new tree flourishes in Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka. And the tree at Bodhgaya is a cutting of this new tree in Sri Lanka to replace the original ancestor.
Underneath the tree there lies the Vajrasan, or diamond throne, where the Buddha sat on and performed his penance. The spot is described as the center of the Universe. A small collection of Buddha figurines and pillars that were discovered in the area can be spotted in the archaeological museum in the vicinity of the temple complex.
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