Siddharta Gautama, the founder of Buddhism, is said to have attained enlightenment here, and so the temple’s name translates as ‘The Great Awakening’. It rises to an imposing 55 metres, dominating the surrounding skyline with a four-sided, carved brick tower narrowing to a peak, and has four smaller towers at its corners. Careful renovation has kept it in wonderful condition, and the Buddha’s Bodhi tree and statue mark the spot close by where he is said to have stood in 530BC.

Written by  larapiegeler.

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Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya

The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of Enlightenment. The first temple was built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing in India, from the late Gupta period.

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Review posted 7th December 2007 by World Reviewer Staff.

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