MAHABODHI TEMPLE BODH GAYA

The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya is perhaps the most important Buddhist temple in the world. It is built on the exact spot where it is believed that Gautama meditated and attained moksha and became the Buddha. The magnificent temple has been constructed to honour this moment in history, while keeping a Bodhi tree under which the Buddha sat, intact beside the temple.

The Mahabodhi Temple is 55 metres high and is built over an area of 4.8 hectares. The original version of this temple was built by King Ashoka, which has since been replaced with a bigger, more intricate structure. You can see a beautiful golden statue of the Buddha inside, made entirely of black stone.

Location: Bodh Gaya, Bihar 824231

Timings: Monday to Sunday (5:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.)

Historical Facts:
- There is a sacred Bodhi tree onsite, which is a descendent of the same tree under which the Buddha sat and attained enlightenment
- The Mahabodhi Tree has been an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Hindus for over 2,000 years
- The original temple was built by King Ashoka in 260 BCE
- Today, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Architecture:
- The oldest elements of the Mahabodhi Temple made by King Ashoka can now be seen in a museum
- There is an intricately carved stone railing that surrounds the temple complex
- The temple is constructed out of bricks that are covered with stucco
- The temple is 55 metres high and occupies an area of 4.8 hectares