GAYA
The old city of Gaya was a part of the Magadha kingdom and contains many places of religious and historical India, second only to Varanasi in sanctity Gaya is built around the Vishnupada Temple, and object of pilgrimage for the Hindus. The temple is built, as the saying goes, over the foot prints of Lord on a solid boulder which rises on the west band of the Phalgu. The temple was renovated about the year 1787 by Ahalya Bai, the princess of Indora. It is an octagonal building 100 ft. high, with a pyramidal roof which Culminates in a single golden pinnade surmounted ed by a large flag.
Gayas visited by Hindu pilgrims to bay for the souls of their ancestors to purgatory. There is legend to the effect that Vishnu promised that the rock on which the old town now stands should be known as Gaya kehetrl, and that whoever funeral eakes (panda and performed the sraih ceremonies there should be translated with their ancestors to the heaven of Bhrama.
BODH GAYA
Bodh Gaya, the cradle of Buddhism is about 11 km. from Gaya. Here under the sacred tree, Prince Gautama, Lord Buddha, attained Supreme Enlightenment called “samma Sambodhi” the exact spot was known as Bodhi Mandapa in ancient days, but now is called Bodh Gaya. After 250 years of this great event (in 250B.C) Ashoka came to Bodhi Gaya, and he built a Temple by the side of the Bodhi tree and erected a Diamond Throne (VAJRASANA) on the exact spot where the Buddha had the sat. The present Mahabodhi Temple was built exactly over the ramains of Ashok’s Temple, so that the Vajrasana throne still retains its old position of Buddha’s seat and the reputed centre of the Universe”.
MAHA BODHI TEMPLE
A unique memorial of Buddhists and perhaps the oldest and most venerable of its kind. Its basement is 48 sq ft. and as it rises, it become narrower till it reaches its neck which is cylindrical in shape Four towers on its four corners rise, gracefully giving the entire structure a poise and balance. Rows of peepal tree provide an artistic frame of foliage to the picture of the 170ft. high temple. Inside the temple there is a colossal image of the Buddha in sitting posture, facing east in the exact position where he sat in meditation with his back to the Bodhi Tree. The old stone gateway at the eastern entrance, erected by king Husishka in the 2ndcentury A.D. is heavily sculptured with images of gargoyles, and near the western entrance to the courtyard stands two large bells, donated by the Barmese government in 1905.
Asokan Railings- On three sides of the Temple there is now extant a portion of the beautiful stone railing made during the sunga period and generally described as an Asokan Railing. The inscription found on some of the pillars proves that it is of a much later date. It is possible that the present railing must have replaced the one set up by Ashoka the difference between this railing and those of Ashoka consists in the fact that the stone used is less polished and contains figurines, medallion etc. whereas those of Ashoka are highly polished and absolutely plain. The 8 ft. high railing is fairely well preserved on the south and west but badly damaged in the north and east.
Bodhi Tree- stands to the west of temple and is known as the tree of Enlightenment or wisdom. The present tree is the fifth sapling. In his unregenerate days Emperor Ashoka cut down the tree but later, when he began to rever it, his wife in a fit of jealousy, had it cut down. The king was strenck with remorse and the tree was planted again. It was further fourth time it withered in 1880.
Vajarasana or the Diamond Thorns- This is the seat at the foot of the Bodhi Tree. It is a piece of bigger carved stone seat of 7 ft 7in. long, 4 ft. 10 in broad and 3 ft. high. Vajrasana derives its name from the fact that it is regarded as stability, indestructibility and capacity of resisting all worldly shocks.
Animeshalochana Stupla- This is a small stupa. crected at the site where Buddha, out of gratitude, stood gazing at the Bodhi Tree for giving him shelter, while hi attained supreme Enightenment. Built in bricks some of which are carved. It is square at the base and tapering towards the top, the height being 55 ft.
Chanka Ramana- On the jeweled cloister is a raised platform along the northern wall of the main temple was built in the first century B.C.by queen Kurangi At this place Buddha spent 7 days walking up and down in meditation. The platform in 3 ft. high and 60 ft long at present there is only one undamaged pillar standing with a figure carved on it. On the platform the lotuses indicate the place where his feet rested while walking.
Rantagar- A small roofless shrine marks the palace where Buddha spent 7 days in meditation, and recited to himself Samants Pathana. While on contemplation, the blue yellow, rel, white and orange rays emanated from his body. The Buddhist flag of India and Ceylon are designed with these colors.
Rajayatana- this is the tree under which Buddha spent 7the week after his Supreme Enlightenment. The actual site is not known yet. Buddha is said to have sat on a atone seat which sprang up there from the ground.
Mucalinda Lake- About two km south to the Lotus Tank, is pointed out the spot where Buddha spent 6thweek. While the Lord was meditating near the lake, there broke out a severe thunder storm. Seeing that the Lord was getting drenched the snake king of the lake called “Calinda” came out from his abode and encircling the body of the lord, held his hood over him.
Votive stupas (round the Temple)- Round the temple as well as in the courtyard are found hundreds of small chaitayas which are known as votive stupes, these are supposed to be gifts of pilgrims who had offered these are supposed to be gifts of pilgrims who had offered them in fulfillment of certain vows made by them.
Maha Bodhi Rest House- Stands at short distance to the west of the Temple was erected by the Maha Bodhi Society for the use of Buddhist pilgrims.
Tibetan Temple- Situated near Maha Bodhi Rest House and built in typical, Tibestad style, the main shrine is on the first floor. The central figure being Maitraya Bodhisative .it is stocked with many colorful images Tibetan scriptures, tong as and other religious objects Down stairs is stars is a prayer wheel room housing a huge wheel of Law, weighing over20 tons, the temple is flanked on the east with a row of rooms for visiting pilgrims.
Birla stupa and Rest House- Situated to the south west of Maha Bodhi Rest House. The stupa by seth Birla attract the attention of all Visitors
Chinese Temple- Situated further towards the west, built in Chinese style.
Museum- The museum contains relics of the old temple and ancient monuments excavated at the site.
Nau Lakha (Thai Buddhist Temple)- This striking monastery was built by the king of Thailand in 1956 set in the middle of a beautiful garden, the high chambered temple house a large Buddha image of Act Dhatoo (eight materials) in the earth witnessing posture.
Japanese Temple- The international Buddhist Brother Hood Association of Japan has built a large Rest House and temple behind the Thai Temple.
Sujata Kuti- A small hill on the opposte bank of the river is considered to be the site of Sujata’s house behind the village Bakraur is the tree under which Sujata offered milk –rice to the Buddha. Some consider this to be the Ajapla Tree
Samadhis of Mahants –To the east of the Main Temple the visitors will see within an enclosure a large number of white conical towers. These are the smadhis of the Mahants and their chief disciples.
Magadh Unversity- About 3 km. west of Bodh Gaya is Magadah University Campus, spread over 200 areas of land denoted by the Mahantha
The old city of Gaya was a part of the Magadha kingdom and contains many places of religious and historical India, second only to Varanasi in sanctity Gaya is built around the Vishnupada Temple, and object of pilgrimage for the Hindus. The temple is built, as the saying goes, over the foot prints of Lord on a solid boulder which rises on the west band of the Phalgu. The temple was renovated about the year 1787 by Ahalya Bai, the princess of Indora. It is an octagonal building 100 ft. high, with a pyramidal roof which Culminates in a single golden pinnade surmounted ed by a large flag.
Gayas visited by Hindu pilgrims to bay for the souls of their ancestors to purgatory. There is legend to the effect that Vishnu promised that the rock on which the old town now stands should be known as Gaya kehetrl, and that whoever funeral eakes (panda and performed the sraih ceremonies there should be translated with their ancestors to the heaven of Bhrama.
BODH GAYA
Bodh Gaya, the cradle of Buddhism is about 11 km. from Gaya. Here under the sacred tree, Prince Gautama, Lord Buddha, attained Supreme Enlightenment called “samma Sambodhi” the exact spot was known as Bodhi Mandapa in ancient days, but now is called Bodh Gaya. After 250 years of this great event (in 250B.C) Ashoka came to Bodhi Gaya, and he built a Temple by the side of the Bodhi tree and erected a Diamond Throne (VAJRASANA) on the exact spot where the Buddha had the sat. The present Mahabodhi Temple was built exactly over the ramains of Ashok’s Temple, so that the Vajrasana throne still retains its old position of Buddha’s seat and the reputed centre of the Universe”.
MAHA BODHI TEMPLE
A unique memorial of Buddhists and perhaps the oldest and most venerable of its kind. Its basement is 48 sq ft. and as it rises, it become narrower till it reaches its neck which is cylindrical in shape Four towers on its four corners rise, gracefully giving the entire structure a poise and balance. Rows of peepal tree provide an artistic frame of foliage to the picture of the 170ft. high temple. Inside the temple there is a colossal image of the Buddha in sitting posture, facing east in the exact position where he sat in meditation with his back to the Bodhi Tree. The old stone gateway at the eastern entrance, erected by king Husishka in the 2ndcentury A.D. is heavily sculptured with images of gargoyles, and near the western entrance to the courtyard stands two large bells, donated by the Barmese government in 1905.
Asokan Railings- On three sides of the Temple there is now extant a portion of the beautiful stone railing made during the sunga period and generally described as an Asokan Railing. The inscription found on some of the pillars proves that it is of a much later date. It is possible that the present railing must have replaced the one set up by Ashoka the difference between this railing and those of Ashoka consists in the fact that the stone used is less polished and contains figurines, medallion etc. whereas those of Ashoka are highly polished and absolutely plain. The 8 ft. high railing is fairely well preserved on the south and west but badly damaged in the north and east.
Bodhi Tree- stands to the west of temple and is known as the tree of Enlightenment or wisdom. The present tree is the fifth sapling. In his unregenerate days Emperor Ashoka cut down the tree but later, when he began to rever it, his wife in a fit of jealousy, had it cut down. The king was strenck with remorse and the tree was planted again. It was further fourth time it withered in 1880.
Vajarasana or the Diamond Thorns- This is the seat at the foot of the Bodhi Tree. It is a piece of bigger carved stone seat of 7 ft 7in. long, 4 ft. 10 in broad and 3 ft. high. Vajrasana derives its name from the fact that it is regarded as stability, indestructibility and capacity of resisting all worldly shocks.
Animeshalochana Stupla- This is a small stupa. crected at the site where Buddha, out of gratitude, stood gazing at the Bodhi Tree for giving him shelter, while hi attained supreme Enightenment. Built in bricks some of which are carved. It is square at the base and tapering towards the top, the height being 55 ft.
Chanka Ramana- On the jeweled cloister is a raised platform along the northern wall of the main temple was built in the first century B.C.by queen Kurangi At this place Buddha spent 7 days walking up and down in meditation. The platform in 3 ft. high and 60 ft long at present there is only one undamaged pillar standing with a figure carved on it. On the platform the lotuses indicate the place where his feet rested while walking.
Rantagar- A small roofless shrine marks the palace where Buddha spent 7 days in meditation, and recited to himself Samants Pathana. While on contemplation, the blue yellow, rel, white and orange rays emanated from his body. The Buddhist flag of India and Ceylon are designed with these colors.
Rajayatana- this is the tree under which Buddha spent 7the week after his Supreme Enlightenment. The actual site is not known yet. Buddha is said to have sat on a atone seat which sprang up there from the ground.
Mucalinda Lake- About two km south to the Lotus Tank, is pointed out the spot where Buddha spent 6thweek. While the Lord was meditating near the lake, there broke out a severe thunder storm. Seeing that the Lord was getting drenched the snake king of the lake called “Calinda” came out from his abode and encircling the body of the lord, held his hood over him.
Votive stupas (round the Temple)- Round the temple as well as in the courtyard are found hundreds of small chaitayas which are known as votive stupes, these are supposed to be gifts of pilgrims who had offered these are supposed to be gifts of pilgrims who had offered them in fulfillment of certain vows made by them.
Maha Bodhi Rest House- Stands at short distance to the west of the Temple was erected by the Maha Bodhi Society for the use of Buddhist pilgrims.
Tibetan Temple- Situated near Maha Bodhi Rest House and built in typical, Tibestad style, the main shrine is on the first floor. The central figure being Maitraya Bodhisative .it is stocked with many colorful images Tibetan scriptures, tong as and other religious objects Down stairs is stars is a prayer wheel room housing a huge wheel of Law, weighing over20 tons, the temple is flanked on the east with a row of rooms for visiting pilgrims.
Birla stupa and Rest House- Situated to the south west of Maha Bodhi Rest House. The stupa by seth Birla attract the attention of all Visitors
Chinese Temple- Situated further towards the west, built in Chinese style.
Museum- The museum contains relics of the old temple and ancient monuments excavated at the site.
Nau Lakha (Thai Buddhist Temple)- This striking monastery was built by the king of Thailand in 1956 set in the middle of a beautiful garden, the high chambered temple house a large Buddha image of Act Dhatoo (eight materials) in the earth witnessing posture.
Japanese Temple- The international Buddhist Brother Hood Association of Japan has built a large Rest House and temple behind the Thai Temple.
Sujata Kuti- A small hill on the opposte bank of the river is considered to be the site of Sujata’s house behind the village Bakraur is the tree under which Sujata offered milk –rice to the Buddha. Some consider this to be the Ajapla Tree
Samadhis of Mahants –To the east of the Main Temple the visitors will see within an enclosure a large number of white conical towers. These are the smadhis of the Mahants and their chief disciples.
Magadh Unversity- About 3 km. west of Bodh Gaya is Magadah University Campus, spread over 200 areas of land denoted by the Mahantha
