The Mahabodhi Temple sits in Bodh Gaya, in Bihar’s Gaya district, right beside the Phalgu River. It is a sacred shrine devoted to Lord Buddha. The name “Mahabodhi,” meaning “Great Awakening,” marks the very spot where Siddhartha Gautama reached enlightenment and became the Buddha. Next to the revered Bodhi Tree, the temple draws pilgrims and visitors from many parts of the world.
History of Mahabodhi Temple
People say the Mahabodhi Temple was first established around 260 BCE by Emperor Ashoka, who was a devoted follower of Buddhism. Bodh Gaya, connected to many ancient Buddhist stories, is one of the four main holy sites associated with the life of Buddha. Historical records suggest that Ashoka built a shrine and a diamond throne, called the Vajrasana, to mark the exact spot where Buddha sat under the Bodhi Tree. The temple we see today, with its tall central tower, dates back to the 5th or 6th century during the Gupta period, though some sections may be even older.
The temple stands on level ground and can be reached with a short walk from the main entrance. In the 1800s, British scholars such as Alexander Cunningham carried out restoration work after the temple had fallen into disrepair. After India gained independence in 1947, a trust took responsibility for its upkeep. In 2002, the Mahabodhi Temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ancient Chinese travelers like Faxian and Xuanzang also wrote about its grandeur, which added to its fame. Even today, thousands of pilgrims and visitors come to this sacred site in Bihar.
Legends of Mahabodhi Temple
The temple is full of stories about Buddha and local beliefs. One of the most well-known says that around 589 BCE, Siddhartha Gautama, a prince weary of the suffering in the world, came to Bodh Gaya. He sat under a peepul tree, now called the Bodhi Tree, and after three days and nights of meditation, he attained enlightenment and became the Buddha. People believe that the tree standing today is directly descended from that original tree, grown from a cutting that was sent to Sri Lanka and later brought back.
Another story tells that after his enlightenment, Buddha spent seven weeks at different spots around the temple. The first week was under the Bodhi Tree itself. During the second week, he is said to have stared at the tree without blinking, a period commemorated by the Animeshlocha Stupa. In the third week, he walked back and forth, leaving marks of lotus flowers on the ground, now remembered as Ratnachakrama. The remaining weeks were spent at places like Ratnagar Chaitya and the Lotus Pond. Some people say the soil around the Bodhi Tree will not allow other plants to grow and is believed to be the “navel of the earth,” too sacred for anyone to cross.
Facts About Mahabodhi Temple
The temple features a 55 meters high tower, with a pyramid shape and four smaller towers at the corners. It’s made of brick covered with stucco, one of the oldest brick temples still standing in India. Inside, a big gold-covered Buddha statue sits in a glass case, showing him in meditation. The Vajrasana, a stone slab under the Bodhi Tree, marks where Buddha sat. Old railings from the Sunga times, around 150 BCE, show carvings of Buddha’s life, though many are now in museums like the Indian Museum in Kolkata.
The Bodhi Tree, a peepul, is said to be the fifth generation of the first tree. A 290-kg gold plate coats the temple’s main vault, gifted by Thailand. The complex covers 4.8 hectares, with stupas, a meditation garden, and a lotus pond. Old pillars from Ashoka’s time, some now lost, had carvings and writings about Buddha. The temple’s been a pilgrimage spot for over 2,000 years, pulling devotees from Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Japan.
Rituals and Festivals
The temple comes alive during festivals. The biggest of these is Buddha Purnima, celebrated in April or May, which marks Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and passing away on the full moon of Vaishakha. Devotees gather and chant sutras, offer flowers, and light lamps around the Bodhi Tree. The air is filled with the sound of bells and the flutter of prayer flags.
During the Kaṭhina Ceremony, held in October or November, people present robes to monks following their rainy season retreat. In January, the Nyingma Monlam sees Tibetan monks praying for world peace under the Bodhi Tree.
The Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony in December lasts seven to ten days, with monks from Sri Lanka and Thailand reciting the Pali scriptures. Losar which is the Tibetan New Year, celebrated in February or March, also features butter lamp offerings and traditional dances. Throughout the year, meditation retreats draw visitors for chanting sessions and peace walks.
Information for Travelers
Hours and Entry: Open every day, 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM; chanting and meditation from 5:30 AM to 6:00 AM and 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM.
How to Get There:
Air: Gaya Airport is 12 km from the temple, with flights to Delhi (1 hour) and Kolkata (1.5 hours). Taxis take about 15 minutes to the temple. Patna Airport, 115 km off, is another option, with a 3.5-hour drive.
Train: Gaya Junction is 17 km off, with trains to Delhi (8 hours) and Varanasi (5 hours). Auto-rickshaws can get you to the temple in 30 minutes.
Road: Bodh Gaya is 115 km from Patna via NH-22, about 3.5 hours by taxi. Buses run from Patna and Varanasi (250 km, 5–6 hours). Autos and bicycles work in town.
Best Time to Visit: October to March is cool, 10–25°C. Weekdays are quiet. Buddha Purnima and Tipitaka Chanting are busy, with 20,000–50,000 devotees, so come early.
Nearby Attractions:
Great Buddha Statue: 1 km off, an 80-foot tall statue from 1989.
Nalanda University: 80 km off, an ancient learning center from the 5th century.
Thai Temple: 1 km off, with murals of Buddha’s life.
Lotus Pond: In the temple area, a bath spot for prayers.
