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Travel destination in India, Bodhgaya |
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General Information about BODHGAYA |
Bodhgaya :
Area : 91.94 sq. km.
Language : Bhojpuri, Hindi and English.
Altitude : 111 mts.
State : Bihar.
STD Code : 0631 |
About Bodhagaya
Bodhgaya, 14 km south of Gaya; is the most famous Buddhist pilgrimage center in the world.
The region around Bodhgaya formed the part of the first small kingdoms of India in the 7th century BC. It is the place where is the place where Gautam Buddha entered into meditation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind. After gaining Enlightenment, Gautam became Buddha and spread his message of love and peace to th whole world. To mark the spot where Gautam Buddha had attained Enlightenment, the great Mauryan ruler King Ashoka built a small shrine here in the 3rd century BC. After that the subsequent rulers left their mark on this shrine, which finally took the shape of the Mahabodhi temple that is still there.
CLIMATE
Tropical climatic conditions prevail in Bodhgaya. Summer months can be very hot with temperatures in excess of 40 degrees. Winters are also very cold and mercury may dip to a low of 10 degrees or even less during this period. Most of the rainfall is received during the July-September monsoon period. The best time to visit Bodhgaya is during the months of November-April.
PLACES OF ATTRACTION IN BODHGAYA
• The Bodhi Tree : The Bodhi Tree is the famous tree under which Buddha achieved enlightenment. He meditated under the tree continuously for next one week. King Ashoka, after conversion to Buddhism, surrounded the tree with 3m high stone wall. The present Bodhi Tree is most probably the fifth descendant of the original tree, as the original tree got destroyed. But the followers view the tree as the actual Buddha.
• Mahabodhi Temple : The Mahabodhi Temple stands east to the Bodhi Tree. This huge temple is said to be constructed by King Ashoka. Shaped like a pyramid, it rises to 170 ft. The statue of Lord Buddha in the temple is made of black stone. The stupas in the temple were constructed during past 2500 years.
• Vajrasana : The Vajrasana is a stone platform, under the Bodhi tree, on which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Vajrasana means the seat of stability.
• Gaya : Situated 16 Km from Bodhgaya, this holy city is a place where Hindus offer oblation for salvation of their forefathers. The temple of Vishnupad on the bank of river Falgu attracts a very large number of pilgrims.
• Barabar Cave : The Barabar and Nagarjuni Hills are situated about 41 km. from Bodhgaya. There are total seven rock-cut caves here, of which four are in the Barabar hills. Barabar Caves carvings bear the details about Buddha's life.
•Ashoka's Pillar : At the south-east corner of the temple stands a part of the Ashokan pillar. Originally erected at Bodhgaya, this pillar was found near Gaya and was moved here in 1956.
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