Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is a holy and serene village situated in the Bihar and it is the place where Lord Buddha came up with enlightening knowledge to preach peace to the world. It was Bodhgaya, where prince Gauthama sat under a peepal tree for three days and nights and enriched his mind and soul with supreme cognition. Bodhgaya is the place where young prince got transformed into Lord Buddha, who preached the whole world with his thoughts and knowledge.
Once prince Gauthama was in search for real truth that would enlighten his life. And it was the holy village of Bodhgaya, which is located on the banks of Nirjana River, 13km away from Gaya where he realized his aspirations. It is believed that Buddha spent seven weeks at Bodhgaya in pursuit of the knowledge and truth, where he devoted each week at different section of the temple. He spent the complete first week under the Bodhi tree and the second week was passed by gazing at the tree, as if he was absorbing the preaching illustrated by that tree. He spent the third and fourth week in meditation and acquainting himself with supreme modes of exposition. And last three weeks were spent in wandering here and there in the temple’s vicinity and in speculation.
Construction of the Temple
This ancient temple at Bodhgaya was constructed way back in 2nd century and is of grand size and style, with an impressive height of 170 feet. You can find amazingly craved railings made of stone, making the temple a master piece by human hands. There is a huge and beautiful sculpture of Lord Buddha in an earth touching pose. And the diamond throne, also known as Vajrasana is located in between the temple entrance and the majestic Bodhi tree. The premise of temple were regularly modified by many ruling rulers but was completely demolished by the floods. And the huge courtyard was excavated in 1884, and the archeology department put an immense work and funds to reorganize the temple.
Huge number of temples and sculptures were built in the year 1956 which was the huge occasion of 2500th year of the origin of Buddhism. Although the major part of the temple is still under the core of earth, but few of the authentic carved pillars can be seen in the vicinity of the temple. Apart of this, the Bodhgaya archaeological museum houses some original remains and priceless collection of souvenirs which were recovered from the archeological site of the temple.