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Complex at Bodh Gaya
Mahabodhi Temple also known as Mahavidhi Mahavihar is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is a Buddhist temple situated at Bodh gaya. Bodh gaya is located at a distance of 96 km from Patna ,Bihar . Bodh gaya or gaya is a district in the state bihar. It is called Bodh gaya to refer to the awakening of Buddha at Mahabodhi Temple in literal sense as the Great awakening temple.
According to history Buddha gained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. This tree is a part of major pilgrimage for Hindus and Buddhists communities all over the world.
The structure dates back from 5 th century CE or earlier . It was followed by a major restoration process in the 19 th century.
The main temple’s survival is mostly made of brick covered with stucco, these materials less durable than stone.Thus a very little of the original sculptural decoration survived.
The temple complex includes two large straight-sided shikhara towers. Among the two Shikharas the larger one is over 55 metres (180 feet) high.
Many sculptures are moved to the museum beside the temple.
The Mahabodhi Temple complex is the first temple built by emperor Ashoka in the 3 rd century BC while the current temple dates back to 5-6 century.
The present temple complex features -:
- 50 m high temple
- Vajrasana
- Bodhi tree
- Six sacred sites of Buddha enlightenment
- Numerous stupas
- Inner , middle and outer circular boundary
- Lotus pond – seventh sacred place is located outside the enclosure .
- Main temple wall height is 11m
- The temple has entrances on the east and the north
- The complex has a low basement area decorated with honey suckle and geese design
- At the four corners of the temple complex are the four statues of Buddha with small shrines.
Bodhi Tree
The Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya is connected to the life of Buddha as it is the place under which Buddha attained enlightenment.The temple is built to the east of the Bodhi tree.
According to Jatakas various theories are attached to the Bodhi tree – one that no other place in the world can hold the weight of Buddha attainment of enlightenment. The other being that at the end of the kalpa the last place to disappear will be the Bodhimanda and it will also be the first place to reappear .Also it is believed that a lotus will bloom at the place when Buddha is born .
Architecture
Mahabodhi Temple is made of brick and is an example of one of the oldest brick structures that have survived in eastern side of Indian territory.
It is believed to be an example of brickwork.This brickwork is used as a reference for later architectural traditions.
Based on UNESCO’s data the Mahabodhi Temple is one of the earliest structures built entirely of brick. The temple is believed to be from the Gupta period (300-600 CE)
The Mahabodhi temple has a central tower that is 180ft tall and was renovated in the 19 th century . The central tower is surrounded by four smaller towers, constructed in the same style.The temple also is surrounded by stone railings from all the four sides .The stone railings are 2 metre in height and have two distinct types.
The older railings are made of sandstone and are about 150BCE old while the ones made in Gupta period are made of coarse granite ( unpolished). The older railings have scenes of goddess of wealth : Lakshmi being bathed by elephants and of Sun god Surya riding a chariot which is drawn by four horses while the newer railings have figures of stupas (reliquary shrines) and garudas (eagles). Images of lotus flowers also are made on the railings.
Importance of Bodh Gaya
Bodh gaya is important because it is a site where Buddha gained enlightenment. The place is thus an important pilgrimage site for Buddhist and Hindu communities.
The Mahabodhi Temple is one of the four holy sites that is related to the life of lord Buddha .
Location of the Mahabodhi Temple
The Mahabodhi temple is located at Bodh gaya. Bodh gaya is located at a distance of 96 km from Patna ,Bihar . Bodh gaya or gaya is a district in the state bihar.
Conclusion
The Mahabodhi temple is located at Bodh gaya. Bodh gaya is located at a distance of 96 km from Patna ,Bihar . Bodh gaya or gaya is a district in the state bihar.The Temple is UNESCO world heritage site since 2002and is one of the four holy sites related to Lord Buddha
The Temple is referred to as the cradle of Buddhism since it is the place where Prince Siddharth attained enlightenment.
The Temple is made completely with brick work with railings surrounding it made of sandstone and coarse unpolished Granite.The temple has two Shikharas and the height of the larger one is 180 ft. The Temple has four statues of Buddha in four corners of the temple parapet. The inner ,middle and outer boundaries surrounded the temple complex. The most important part of the complex is the bodhi tree on which Buddha attained enlightenment.
