Mahabodhi
Temple is one of the ancient and most important
shrines of India. Located at Bodhgaya, Mahabodhi
Mahavihara Temple is easily accessible from the
major towns and cities of Bihar. The nearest airport
is located at Patna that lies at a distance of 96
kms from Gaya. The holy town Bodh Gaya or Gaya has
its own railway station. The town is also connected
with major cities by network of roads. The literal
version of Mahabodhi Temple is the Great Awakening
Temple.
Bodhgaya is a renowned place where Lord Buddha got
enlightenment. Perched on the banks of Niranjana
River, Bodhgaya is a highly revered site of
Buddhists. Pilgrims from all over the globe come to
visit Bodhgaya, the awakening site. In the
folklores, Bodhgaya has been mentioned as the place
of great importance. According to Jatakas, Bodhgaya
is the navel of the earth. This is only place that
could abide the power of the Buddha's attainment.
Mahabodhi Temple is regarded to have been
constructed by Emperor Ashoka, who visited the place
after 250 years of enlightenment. It boasts of a 52
m tall spire that houses the colossal gilded image
of Lord Buddha. In the sanctum sanctorum, the huge
image of Buddha looks mesmerizing in which he is
sitting in a 'Bhumisparsh Mudra' (touching the
ground). It is said that the image is 1700 years old
and positioned in a manner that Lord Buddha faces
the east. Mahabodhi Temple along with Bodhi Tree
completes the holy pilgrimage to Bodhgaya.
Bodhi Tree is actually a fig tree, which grew from
the original tree under whose kind shelter Lord
Sakyamuni meditated and ultimately attained
enlightenment. Owing to this, he became Buddha.
Bodhi Tree is a significant part of Bodh Gaya, which
is believed to grow on the day, Gautama Buddha was
born. Under Bodhi tree, there is a platform
embracing the footprints of Lord Buddha carved in
stone. In its vicinity, a slab of red sandstone
adorns the site. This slab marks the spot where the
Lord sat in meditation.
The temple is festooned with friezes that depict the
life scenes of Buddha. Along the northern wall of
temple, Chankramana Chaitya (Jewel Path) is a raised
walkway, where Lord Buddha used to meditate while
walking. Adjoining the temple, there is lotus pond
that is said to have been the place, where Lord
Buddha executed his ablutions. The original temple
is assumed to have been constructed in the 3rd
century, however the present structure dates back to
5th or 6th century.
Built wholly in brick, Mahabodhi Temple is one of
the earliest Buddhist shrines that have managed to
restrain the ravages of the times. Mahabodhi Temple
is regarded as the excellent specimen of Indian
brickwork. This oldest brick structure became the
role model for many later architectural works. In
2002, the marvelous temple was announced as the
World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Mahabodhi Temple is
acclaimed to be the property of Bihar State
Government.
Architecture
The history of Mahabodhi Temple is not apparent. The
style of the edifice declares that it was built
primarily to form a monument, not a shrine of
Buddha. The four towers on the corners rise
elegantly, escorting the main tower to an extent.
Encircled on all four sides by stone railings,
Mahabodhi Temple bears railings of two types,
equally in style and material. The older railings
are made from sandstone and trace their origin
around 150 BC. Dating back to Gupta period (300 CE -
600 CE), the other railings are erected from
unpolished coarse granite. The old railings comprise
images of Hindu deities, while the later ones have
got figures of stupas (reliquary shrines) and
garudas (eagles).
