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Bodhgaya is the journey to one man’s enlightenment that opened the
doorway –away from the world of misery for millions. Gautama the
Buddha –the Shakya muni attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree
here and learnt that renunciation has greater power for the human
soul than enjoyment of sense objects. Ever since, it has become an
essential pilgrimage for the Buddhists of the world. Another famous
Buddhist ruler, Ashoka – embellished this place with numerous
monasteries and other magnificent structures.
How to reach here
Air: The nearest airport is at Gaya 7 Kms and Patna 135 kms
and it is connected to Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Ranchi, Lucknow and
various other cities.
Rail: The nearest railway station is Gaya (17km).
Road: Bodhgaya is well connected by road to eastern cities.
| Places to visit |
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Mahabodhi
Temple
Architecturally
superb, its sacred pyramid edifice is like a grand banner
unfurled by cosmos to announce Buddha’s efforts to cleanse
human sorrows by ascending above worldly problems and
transcendental peace. It rises to 170 ft. and there are
Chatras on the top of the temple symbolizing sovereignty of
religion. There is a colossal image of the Buddha in sitting
posture touching the earth by his right hand inside the
temple, in the main sanctum the statue is made of black
stone and the entire courtyard of the temple is studded with
large number of votive stupas of exceptional structural
beauty. The first century BC ancient railings, surrounding
the temple, are among the highlights. |
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Animesh Lochan
Chaitya
Buddha spent a
whole week here staring, without twinkling his eyes, at the
great Bodhi tree in gratitude. |
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Mahabodhi Tree
The present
Bodhi Tree is the fifth generation of the original tree and
Vajrasana, the seat of stability, is a stone platform on
which the Buddha is supposed to have sat in meditation
gazing east, still stands. |
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Chankramana
The Buddha
walked around this spot during the third week after
enlightenment. |
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Ratnagarh
five
colors came out of his body when the Buddha spent a week
here. |
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