Mahabodhi Temple | Bodh Gaya, India

[VaastuShastra]

The Mahabodhi Temple, (main spire constructed around 3rd-6th century CE), isnt that big or intricate compared to many Indian temples, but bears a lot of historical relevence, being the site that Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment, under the Bodhi tree, 2500 years ago. The temple was a popular spiritual centre for pilgrims from across India, Sri Lanka, China, Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Tibet, Central Asia and elsewhere.



Traditional accounts say that the Buddha achieved spritual enlightenment around 530 BCE, when he stopped near the Falgu River, close to the city of Gaya, to reflect. Today the temple area is known as Bodh Gaya, and a tree grown from a sapling of the original Bodhi tree stands within the complex.

The original temple and monestary was founded in 250 BCE during the Maurya Dynasty, by Emperor Ashoka the Great. The temple spire as seen today, was constructed during the Gupta Dynasty around 240-550 CE, making it one of the oldest surviving temples of its kind in India. It fell into disrepair during foreign raids in medieval times, and was maintained by a local Hindu monestary, before being restored several centures later, in the 19th century.

It stands 55 meters in height, and is constructed from brick. Apart from influencing subsequent Indian temples, and various temples across asia, it has directly inspired several faithfull replicas, each with the distinctive central spires surrounded by four smaller spires, including:

- Mahabodhi Paya, Myanmar (13th century)
- Mahabuddha Temple, Nepal (14th century)
- Wat Chet Yot, Thailand (15th century)
- Five Pagoda Temple, China (15th century)
- Mahabodhi temple, India (20th century)]
- New Mahabodhi Paya, Myanmar (20th century)

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Early British etching:



The temple as it looked in the 18th century:



Overgrown with vegetation:



The temple as it looked just after restoration:



Early photograph:



The Bodhi tree sapling:



The temple gate (torana):



Indian monks near the restored sandstone railing:



Various views:







































Repairs in 2006:



A pilgrim's model of the temple, from Tibet:



The central Buddha touching the earth:



AN Indian stamp commemorating the temple:

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See also: The Dhamekh Stupa.

Some of the images may accidentally be of the Myanmar Mahabodhi temple, if so, please alert me. Please vote and discuss :-)

[rvtheace]

Good stuff man. Lovely.

[delmaule]

10/10

[IndiansUnite]

10/10

[grimmm]

Very nice. 10/10

[gutooo]

10!

Amazing

[VaastuShastra]

The Dalai Lama visiting, and meeting some of the Indian monks:

[delmaule]

10/10

[Babji]

Great. 10/10.

[TwItCH]

9/10

[_zner_]

9.5 amazing,.

[VaastuShastra]

Thanks for the comments

[Sbz2ifc]

7.5/10

[billyandmandy]

10/10

[diet_coke]

9/10

[VaastuShastra]

Bump.

[TYW]

7.5/10

nice details. it lacks a little "grandness" in it

[clarky]

10/10

[marpa]

10/10

[Popiel]

8/10