Bodhgaya:
The
Birth place of Buddhism, Bodhgaya is a place where Lord Buddha attained
enlightenment under the shade of Banyan tree, 2500 years ago, and thereafter
spread the virtues of truthfulness, love, peace and nonviolence to the mankind.
Revered as one of the must visit destinations of India by the flowers of
Buddhism, Bodhgaya today offers a touch of modern living even while
experiencing the nature with its distinctive cultural and architectural settings.
Mahabodhi Temple:
The Mahabodhi Temple stands east to
the Bodhi Tree. Its architectural effect is superb. Its basement is 48 square
feet and it rises in the form of a slender Pyramid, till it reaches its neck,
which is cylindrical in shape. The total height of the temple is 170 feet and
on the top of the temple are Chatras which symbolize sovereignty of religion.
Four towers on its four corners rise gracefully giving the holy structure a
poise and balance. This sacred edifice is like a grand banner unfurled by time to
proclaim to the world the pious efforts of the Buddha to solve the knots of
human miseries to ascend above worldly problems and to attain transcendental
peace through wisdom, good conduct and disciplined life. Inside the temple in
the main sanctum, on an altar, is a colossal image of Buddha in a sitting
posture touching the earth by his right hand. In this posture the Buddha
accomplished the supreme enlightenment. The statue is of black stone but it has
been guided by the devotees. The entire courtyard of the temple is studded with
a large number of varieties of stupas votive, decorative, memorative. These
stupas are of all sizes built during the past 2500 years ago. Most of them are
extremely elegant in structural beauty.
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