Bodh Gaya is the place where Gautam Buddha attained
enlightenment under the sacred Asvatta tree (later termed Bodhi Tree).
Buddhists all across the world consider the place the most sacred and this
has become a pilgrim destination for them. Buddhists from all over the world
have built temples here in Bodh Gaya. Bodh Gaya is located about 13 km from
Gaya, 90 kilometers away from Patna, and 450 km west of Kolkata.
Bodh
Gaya houses a splendid and magnificent Mahabodhi temple and the temple has
Bodhi Tree. Both the temple and the Bodhi Tree are sacred for Buddhists
across the globe. The temple is an architectural amalgamation of many
centuries, cultures, and heritages. While its architecture has a distinct
stamp of the Gupta era, it has later ages inscriptions describing visits of
pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and China between seventh and 10th century
AD. It is perhaps still the same temple Hieuen Tsang visited in 7th century.
In
the year 1953, Bodh Gaya revisited its glory. A new stupa with the help of
Japanese governments donation was built in Gaya. Buddhists from Sri
Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, Korea, and Japan often visit to Bodh Gaya.
Now one can see many Buddhist monasteries in and around the complex. Tourism
peaks during winter season.
Sightseeing at Bodh Gaya
- Bodh Gaya, being the place where Gautam Buddha had learnt the
eternal truth, is a popular tourist destination among Buddhists across the
globe. There are a number of Buddhist monuments, temples and monasteries to
see in Bodh Gaya.
Bodhi Tree : Contrary to general belief
the existing Bodhi Tree is not the original Bodhi Tree under which Sidhartha
Gautam had enlightenment. The existing tree is of fifth generation of
original Bodhi Tree.
Gurpa : Gurpa is located forty
kilometers from Bodh Gaya. Gurpa is a small village, albeit important for
Buddhists. According to Buddhist literature Maha Kassap, the disciple of
Lord Buddha realized that his death was nearing and he started moving toward
the hill where he wanted to take his last breath.
Pragbodhi:
Pragbodhi is the place where Lord Buddha spent some time before attaining
enlightenment. The place is evidence of Gautam Buddhas efforts toward
the eternal truth.
Mahabodhi Temple: The fifty meter high
Mahabodhi Temple was built during the rule of the Guptas in the 5th century.
This temple is considered among the oldest in Indian sub-continent temples.
Reaching
Bodh Gaya - Bodh Gaya is included in four most important pilgrim
destinations where a Buddhist has to visit in lifetime. Bodh Gaya is the
place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment.
Bodh
Gaya Weather- The city of Bodh Gaya is located at an altitude of 24º
41' 45'' N. Latitude and 85º 2' 22'' E. Longitude. Lets have a
quick look at the weather and climatic conditions of Bodh Gaya.