The magnificent Maha Bodhi temple
in Bodhgaya is an architectural amalgamation of many cultures.
The temple bears
the stamp of the architecture of the Gupta Dynasty and subsequent ages.
On the
walls of the temple, one sees Buddha carved in different aspects, and in the
sanctum sanctorum, a colossal Buddha, is seen touching the ground, which has
mythological significance in the Buddhist lores. The
Mahabodhi temple is included in the World Heritage
site.
The temple carries inscriptions
recording the visits of pilgrims from
Sri Lanka
,
China
and Mayanmar in the 7th and 10th Centuries A.D. Hieun Tsang,
the Chinese traveler, also visited the temple in the 7th Century.
Other Places
of Interest
Adjacent to the Mahabodhi temple
is the Shaivite Monastery that has a cluster of four temples. Surrounded by
enchanting greenery and marked by architectural marvels, these temples have
several samadhis (commemorative stones) in their vicinity. Just across are a
number of cells, meant for residential purposes of monks.
Not far from the Shaivite
Monastery is the Jagannath Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has the
statue of the deity, carved in glistening black stone.
Finally, a visit to the
Bodhgaya
Archaeological
Museum
is a must for a religious art lover as it initiates one into the age of Buddha’s
centred art forms. The Buddhist sculpture collection from 1st Century
B.C. to 11th Century A.D. Reflected through several art forms, it is
more like a treasure house of artistic expression.
The best time to visit :- The best
time to visit bodhgaya is between October
to March
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By
Air |
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The nearest airport is at Gaya 7 Kms and
Patna 135 kms |
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By
Train |
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The nearest railway station is Gaya (17km). |
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By
Road |
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It is 135 kms from
Patna
( 178 kms) via Rajgir and Nalanda. |
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