This temple is the most famous temple of Bodh Gaya. There is a Bodhi tree in this temple complex, where Lord Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. This temple was built by King Ashoka after Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. A very large statue of Lord Buddha has been installed in this temple.
This temple place of Buddhism is situated at a distance of 90 km from Patna. Bodh Gaya has been the penance of Lord Buddha, who taught the whole world the lesson of truth, compassion, peace and non-violence.
Who was lord buddha?
Around 2500 years ago, Prince Siddharth (lord buddha) gave up his house at the age of just 29. Leaving his wife Yasodhara and son Rahula asleep at night, he set out in search of knowledge.
After renouncing the worldly fascination and wandering in search of knowledge, he reached near Gaya. This is what Buddha did under the Peepal tree on the banks of the Niranjana River.
He attained divine knowledge on the full moon day of Vaishakh month after 5 years of rigorous cultivation. Thus, he was called Gautama Buddha by Prince Siddhartha. The sacred Peepal tree is today known as Bodhivriksha.
After attaining enlightenment, Lord Buddha enlightened the world with his knowledge and inspired people to follow the path of righteousness. This holy land of Lord Buddha has been communicating his teachings in the public since the past times till today.
In his travelogue of the Chinese itinerant Xuanzang, the sacred Buddhist temple of Bodh Gaya finds mention as the 'Mahabodhi Temple'.
Construction of Mahabodhi Temple
There is a difference of opinion among historians regarding the date of construction of Mahabodhi Temple. According to some historians 289 BC This temple was built by the great emperor Priyadarshi Ashoka.
A wonderful example of ancient Hindu architecture can be seen in this temple. According to historians, a Buddhist stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka in this vihara during the third century.
It is said that King Kanishka of the Kushan dynasty built the temple above these Buddhist stupas. It was renovated in 1105 AD by the Burmese Buddhist community.
But in 1205 AD Bakhtiyar Khilji destroyed this temple including Nalanda University. When this place was excavated in British India in 1876, this temple was found in a dilapidated condition.
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