A popular monument to visit for tourists, Hindus and Buddhists.
The Mahabodhi Temple is located in Bodh Gaya and is known to be one of India’s most religious and spiritual sites, attracting numerous tourists all year long. It is believed that Gautama Buddha achieved enlightenment under a Bodhi tree after meditating for three days there. Due to this, the site is popular among tourists, Hindus and Buddhists.
The original temple was built in the 3rd century by Emperor Ashoka. However, the current structure was built in the 5th and 6th century. It is known to be one of the most ancient Buddhist temples and is completely built out of bricks. Despite this, Ashoka had not initially intended to build a temple. His original plan was to protect the Bodhi tree by serving it as a monument. During renovation, various temples were constructed inside the shrines, making the monument a temple structure.
Inside the temple there is a lotus pond near the Bodhi tree. There are many stone lotuses carved on the pathway surrounding the pond. This is where the Buddha spent several weeks meditating. He did walking meditation where he walked 18 steps back and forth. The faded footprints of the Buddha are believed to be seen on the stone lotuses. Circumambulation of the Bodhi tree and prostrating before it for one lakh (100,000) times is a highly respected ritual; many monks perform this ritual.
There is a famous legend about the slab in the temple. A slab was constructed on the spot where the Buddha meditated. It is believed that if the world were destroyed, the slab would be the last to be demolished. Also, if the world were re-created by God, the slab would be the first to be formed.
Reproductions of the Mahabodhi temple can be found in the Mahabodhi temple of Myanmar, Shwegugyi temple, Wat Chet Yot of Thailand, and Zhenjue temple of China. Saplings of the Bodhi tree are sent to numerous Buddhist temples around the world.
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