New Delhi: The Mahabodhi Temple has a significant place in the annals of Buddhism. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a Buddhist temple in Bihar’s Bodh Gaya and is said to be located at the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. The place is located at a distance of 15 km from Gaya and the temple complex has the Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. For more than 2,000 years, the place has been a major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists.
When was the Mahabodhi Temple constructed?
The Mahabodhi Temple complex was first built in the 3rd Century BC by Emperor Ashoka and the present temple dates from the 5th Century to 6th Century. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples which was completely made of brick and is still standing. Also, the temple is believed to have had a significant influence on the development of brick architecture over the centuries.
Even though Ashoka’s original temple and its complex have vanished, his Diamond throne established at the foot of the Bodhi tree is still there. Also known as Vajrasana, it is thought that Emperor Ashoka built the throne between 250 and 233 BCE at the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is worshipped today and is the centre of many festivities at the temple.
The Mahabodhi tree in the temple complex
It was under the Mahabodhi tree where Gautama who attained omniscient wisdom when he was meditating under it and became Lord Buddha. The temple was built directly to the Bodhi tree’s east, which is considered to be a direct descendant of the original Bodhi tree of Buddha. There is a legend which states that in the case of Gautama Buddha, a Bodhi tree sprang up on the day he was born.
Apart from the tree, the temple complex has the 50-metre high grand Temple, the Vajrasana, and other six sacred sites of Buddha’s enlightenment, surrounded by several ancient Votive stupas. There is a sacred place named the Lotus Pond outside the enclosure to the south. Circulating passages surround the temple complex and the Lotus Pond at two or three levels and the area of the ensemble is 5 metres below the level of the surrounding land.
The place has immense archaeological importance as it tells us about the time Lord Buddha spent there and has also documented the evolving worship, particularly since the 3rd century. The temple complex marks the most important event in the life of Lord Buddha, an event that shaped human thought and belief and led to the birth of Buddhism. It is hailed as one of the holiest places in Buddhism and is considered the cradle of the religion.
The Mahabodhi Temple complex was first built in the 3rd Century BC by Emperor Ashoka and the present temple dates from the 5th Century to 6th Century. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples which was completely made of brick. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
