Mahabodhi temple Bodhgaya

 Mahabodhi Temple Bodh Gaya

Maha Bodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, India.@ Wikipedia

Introduction

Mahabodhi Temple is one such historical and religious building situated at Bodh Gaya on the state of Bihar, India. Gautama Buddha achieved Bodhi or enlightenment in a sit2behind the Bodhi tree and it is one of the remarkable moments in the history of Buddhism. As such, Mahabodhi Temple is not merely a fitting piece of architecture, but a symbol of enshrinement, religiousness and tranquility to millions of Buddhist faithful all over the world. Nowadays it remains a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the destination of thousands of tourists annually.

Ashoka's Mahabodhi Temple and Diamond throne in Bodh Gaya, built c. 250 BCE @Wikipedia

Location 

The Bodhgaya town of the Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar is situated by Mahabodhi Temple. It is situated at the center of a historic city, on the west bank of Folgu River.

Another relief of the early circular Mahabodhi Temple, Bharhut, c. 100 BCE source Wikipedia

History

Gautama Buddha is strongly linked with the history of Mahabodhi Temple. Siddhartha Gautama (c. 6th-century BCE), the prince of Rajagriha, achieved Samyak Sambodhi or enlightenment by means of long meditation by Bodh Gaya, under the Bodhi tree. Henceforth, the site was the most solemn pilgrimage sites of the Buddhists. The first stupa and Buddhist temple consisted of brick was constructed there by the great Mauryan emperor Ashoka in the 3 rd century BC. It is he who constructed the railings surrounding the Bodhi tree as well as the extensive building around the Mahabodhi temple as a further element in the promotion of Buddhism. The temple came to be rebuilt and remodeled in Gupta (4 th -6 th century). The Mahabodhi Temple of today majorly is constructed in the Gupta architectural design which has acquired its current shape in several renovation phases in the succeeding ages. With the demise of Buddhism in India at the Middle Ages the Mahabodhi Temple was forgotten yet at least not forgotten in the travelogues of foreign monks and pilgrims. Lastly, the temple was first restored under British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham in 19th-century, then Sir Alexander Cunningham and Sir Joseph David Beglar. It is as well a UNESCO World Heritage site, in the modern context being a priceless asset not just to the history of Buddhism, but of Indian culture in the broadest sense.

The current Bodhi tree at Bodh Gaya, source Wikipedia

Mahabodhi Tree Brief Information. 

The Bodhi Tree is a very fundamental symbol of the Buddhism faith. It is in this tree that Gautama Buddha found Bodhi or enlightenment in the 6 th century BCE. The current Bodhi tree is the birth daughter of the original one. Despite the destruction of the original tree at many occasions, branches of the tree are still planted in Sri Lanka that still today is an offspring of a Mahabodhi tree. Subsequently, saplings were once more collected there and planted in present day Bodhgaya which happens to be the Bodhi tree of Mahabodhi. It is no ordinary tree but an abbreviation of spirituality, knowledge and freeing. Each year thousands of pilgrims and sightseers flock Bodhgaya to come and venerate this tree.

Discovery of the Diamond throne, built by Ashoka c. 250 BCE, source Wikipedia

The Ages of Maurya.

Most of the foundation and building of Mahabodhi Temple was as a result of Mauryan emperor Ashoka. He constructed many stupas, viharas and temples in India and outside India after becoming a Buddhist in the 3 rd century BCE. The Buddha was enlightened at Bodh Gaya where Ashoka a constructed an early brick cairn. The pilgrims could also circumambulate the holy ground (as the Bodhi tree was encircled with a stone railing, known as Vedika that he constructed). Inscriptions of Ashoka in certain posts and other archaeological proofs imply that here he also boasted of the erection of the Ashoka Pillar which is perceived as indicating his devotion to spread Buddhism. As such, Mahabodhi Temple reached and became one of the largest centres of pilgrimage in Buddhist world which was further developed and enriched in the later period it was in the Maurya period.

Bodh Gaya original railings, Indian Museum, Calcutta  Source Wikipedia

The Gupta period

The achievement of architecture and culture of Mahabodhi Temple became the highest point of development in the Gupta epoch (4 th -6 th century CE). It was in this period that the temple was rebuilt hence renewed and the main structure of the current Mahabodhi Temple was mostly Gupta architecture. The characteristics of Gupta structure like high pitched temples, designed carving, fine material and stone and fine sculpture are also much evident in the Mahabodhi temple. The shikhara or the tower of the temple is approximately 55 meters in height and this is among the best Buddhist architecture. It seems that during this time reliefs and sculptures illustrating the life story of the Buddha were designed in Mahabodhi Temple which happens to be unique in India art tradition. As Buddhism began to spread in the Gupta period, the Mahabodhidome Temple emerged as a great place of worship by the followers of this religion not only in India but also in the whole of Asia.

Architectural style

The Mahabodhi Temple architecture is the unique example of the ancient India temple structure that is the evident blend of the art in the Gupta period. Main temple tower (shikhara) The tower (shikhara) of the central portion of the temple measures 55 meters high and is constructed out of bricks and stones. The chiseled decoration both on the shikhara and the flawless structure of the arch shape depict the architecture of the gupta period. Buddha Statue: There is the highly sculpted Basumurti Buddha, in the sanctum Sanctorum, of the temple, mediating under the Bodhi tree. The given statue is sculpted out of stone and tasked with gold. Enclosures and Stupas: There are ancient enclosures (Vedika) and small stupas surrounding the temple which are the contribution of Ashoka and past epoch. Bodhi Tree: The Mahabodhi Tree is the architectural, spiritual epicentre located next to the temple. Several railings and old pillars are adorned round the tree. Ornamentation: All the sculptures, figure flower Plants, meditation figures and geometric designs of the whole temple complex are carved with the finest carving art that is the masterpiece of the Gupta period. Mahabodhi Temple is a treasure of world heritage that should never be undermined on any front, given this fine mixture of Indian heritage, Buddhist symbols and spiritual beauty in its architecture.

Conclusion

Not just is Mahabodhi Temple, a religious building, but an extremely priceless artifact to represent the history, culture and spirituality of India. Here the Buddha achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi tree that forms the center of birth and growth in the development of Buddhism. The first building of the temple as initiated by the Maurya period emperor Ashoka, the transformation in the temple during the Gupta period by bringing it to the pinnacle of both architecture and art, and later renovations all art conform to promote the Mahabodhi Temple to a great example of world heritage. It is currently a UNESCO world heritage item, where thousands of worshipers and adventurers visit yearly, in pursuit of peace, wisdom and redemption. The Mahabodhi Temple is thus immortal in its role of spiritual inspiration and historical tradition not only among the parish of Buddhism but across the entire mankind.

UNESCO World Heritage Centre

 Archaeological Survey of India

Wikipedia

Bihar Tourism

Map Location