Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya:

Bodhgaya is the holiest site of the Buddhist Pilgrimage and is the very place where Shakyamuni attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. It is a world heritage site situated in the Indian state of Bihar. During the time of Buddha, this place which is located on the banks of river Niranjana was called Uruvela. The first temple in Bodhgaya was built by King Asoka in 259 BC. The main monastery of Bodh Gaya was earlier called Bodhimanda Vihara and is now called the Mahabodhi temple.  Bodhgaya is a key pilgrimage destination for Pilgrims around the world and it attracts thousands of pilgrims every day.

Major Attractions in Bodhgaya:

1. Mahabodhi Temple: The first temple at the site was built by King Asoka during 3^rd century BC. Before that, it was marked by a tree shrine (Bodhighara). The second stage of construction was carried our during the 1^st century AD when the original temple was renovated. The third phase of construction was carried out by the Kushan king Huvishka. The entire Mahabodhi temple as seen today is the structure constructed during the Gupta Period (6^th century AD). The height of temple is over 55 meters and in the sanctum there is a 10th-century image of Buddha seated in the earth-touching posture (Bhumi Sparsh Mudra).
2. Bodhi Tree: The Bodhi tree under which Shakyanmuni attained enlightenment is situated just behind the Mahbodhi temple. According to Buddhist mythology it is said to have sprung up at the same time with that of Siddharth’s birth in Lumbini. No other place can support the weight of Buddha’s enlightenment except this very location as per Jatakas. It is the site where Mara and his army got scattered by the violent earthquake that  shook the earth . It got destroyed several times, the first time when King Asoka got it cut before his conversion to Buddhism. In 1876, the old decaying tree fell down which was replanted by the sapling from the Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka which was direct descendent of the original Bodhi tree of enlightenment.
3. The Vajrasana or the Diamond throne: the Vajrasana or Diamond throne marks the actual place where Budhha attained enlightenment. He sat on facing east with his back to the trunk of the tree. A red sandstone slab now marks the place of enlightenment. According to mythology a local grass cutter gave Siddhartha some kusha grass to use as cushion. He walked around the tree seven times and then sat for meditation.
4. The seven places of Buddha’s stay after enlightenment (all locations are situated within Mahabodhi temple premises) :
   • The first week on the diamond throne (Vajrasana)
   • The second week of unblinking gaze was marked by the Animisilocana Cetiya shrine
   • The third week in walking meditation or cankama
   • The fourth week in the jeweled house
   • Fifth week at Ajapala Nigrodha tree
   • Sixth week at Mucalinda, marked by Mucalinda pond
   • The seventh week at Rajyatna tree
5. Pragbodhi or Dungeswari : This is the place where Siddhartha used to stay before his enlightenment on the bank of river Neranjana. Here he practiced the painful self-mortification meditation for six years which is marked by a skeleton statue of Buddha inside  the Dungeswari cave.
6. Sujata Kuti: The place is located in the village of Bakraur where lady Sujata has offered milk and rice to Siddhartha prior to enlightenment. A large Stupa constructed between 1^st to 8^th century AD marks the event.
7. Temples and monasteries: There are several temples and monasteries in Bodhgaya possibly from every country having a significant Buddhist population. One can visit these temples and meditation centers.