The Holiest Buddhist sites- Bodhgaya India

Bodhgaya

Gaya is a religious place located 100 kilometers away from the capital city of Patna. The city is located on the bank of the Falgu River and is considered one of the most sacred cities for Hindus. Three hills Ram-Shila, Katari, and Brahma yoni hill surround it from three sides and make it a natural barrier and a beautiful site. Gaya city has a great heritage and history its own. The name of the  Gaya is derived from the myth of the demon Gayasur who Lord Vishnu had killed in a duel. The place is so sacred for Hindus that even Lord Ram performed Pindadanam here for his ancestors. The city is sacred not only for Hindus but also for Buddhists, as the place has many Buddhist pilgrim sites. The bank sides of river Falgu and the temples located on the bank are beautiful and attractive. A peepal tree standing on the bank of the Falgu River called Akshayavat is considered sacred for Hindus. The tree is worshiped for its divinity.

Bodhgaya a sacred city

Bodhgaya is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist religious centers in the world. Gautama attained supreme knowledge here under a banyan tree, the Bodhi Tree to become Buddha, the Enlightened One. Gautam Buddha was born in the foothills of the Himalayas as a Sakya prince of Kapilvastu (Nepal) and most of the major events of his life, like enlightenment and the last sermon, happened in Bihar. Buddhism religion was really born in Bihar and evolved here through his preaching and the example of his lifestyle of great simplicity, renunciation, and empathy.

in reality, the state’s name of ‘Bihar’ originated from ‘Vihara’ meaning monasteries that abounded in Bihar. Several centuries after Buddha’s passing away, the Maurya Emperor Ashoka contributed tremendously towards the revival, consolidation, and spread of the original Budhha religion. Ashoka built monasteries, for the Buddhist monks, and the pillars known as Ashokan Pillars were erected to commemorate innumerable historical incidents associated with the Buddha’s life. most of the pillars are intact to this day, which helped scholars and religious people alike to trace the life events and preaching of Gautam Buddha. The later ages inscriptions described visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and China between the 7th and 10th century AD. It is perhaps still the same temple Hieuen Tsang visited in the 7th century.

What to See in Gaya

Bodhi Tree

The original Bodhi tree may have been destroyed by many Kings, but the direct descendants flourish even today standing tall at 80 feet. This Bodhi Tree is probably the fifth succession of the original tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment. Vajrasana, the seat of stability, is a stone platform on which the Buddha is supposed to have sat in meditation gazing east, under the Bodhi tree situated near Bodhi Tree.

Thai Monastery

Thai Monastery has a curved roof covered with exquisite tiles of gold, the Thai Monastery houses a bronze statue of Buddha and another recently erected 25 m high statue in the garden. One of the oldest foreign monasteries was built in the ornamental regal Thai architectural style. The grandeur of the exterior as well as the interior is awe-inspiring. The temple reflects like a red and golden gem over a calm pool on the front patio. The splendid Buddha idol along with the mural paintings depicting Buddha’s life and some modern events like the importance of planting trees painted in a stylized manner is marvelous. It is situated next to Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya.

Mahabodhi temple, Bodhgaya

The Mahabodhi Temple is the main and most important attraction in Bodh Gaya. It was built in the 7th century, surrounding the Bodhi Tree that Buddha sat under whilst he attained enlightenment. The temple stands in the east of the Bodhi Tree. Its architectural view is superb. Its basement is 48 square feet and it rises in the form of a slender Pyramid till it reaches its neck, which is cylindrical in shape. The total height of the temple is 52 meters and on the top of the temple is Chatra which symbolizes the sovereignty of the Bauddha religion.

Statue of the Buddha, Bodhgaya

The Great Buddha Statue is a 25-meter height that was unveiled and consecrated on November 18, 1989, with a ceremony graced with the presence of His Holiness the XIV the Dalai Lama, who blessed the 25-meter statue. It was the first great Buddha statue built in the modern history of India. It is a meditating Buddha resting on a giant lotus, constructed using intricately carved sandstone and red granite.

Sujata Garh

This ancient stupa is believed to be the place where Gautama Siddhartha meditated following severe penance of fasting before he attained enlightenment. The legend goes that a village lady, Sujata, offered a bowl of rice pudding when she saw meditating Gautama severely emaciated. Gautama accepted the offer and realized the futility of self-deprivation. After this incident, He went to meditate under the Bodhi tree and was enlightened and became the Buddha. It is about 2 km from Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya.

Dungeshwari Temple

Dungeshwari Cave Temples, also known as Mahakala caves, are situated 12 km northeast of Bodhgaya. There are three caves containing Buddhist shrines, where the Buddha is believed to have meditated. Dungeshwari Cave Temples are ancient caves. These are caves Lord Buddha underwent years of self-mortification before descending to Bodhgaya. Three main caves contain several shrines for Buddhists and one for Hindus. Dungeshwari cave temples are also popular as Sujata Sthan to local people. Gautama Siddhartha is believed to have piously meditated at this place for six years before he went to Bodhgaya for the final realization. Two small shrines are built to commemorate this phase of Buddha.

Lake Muchalinda

A popular site at Bodh Gaya, the Muchalinda Lake is located next to the main temple. It is associated with a mythological tale stating that Lord Buddha was protected from the storm by Snake King Muchalinda.

Pind Daan

A pind as per Hindu religious text is something that is in a circular form. And, this is how pind daan got its name in which food made in circular-ball form is offered to the soul by his/her relatives during shradh karma. The material that is used to prepare pind during shradh is made up of kneading rice or barley flour. These pinds are made in circular form and are offered to the deceased during pind daan karma.