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Maha Bodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, India. By Bpilgrim – Own work,

Top10 Astonishing Facts About Mahabodhi Temple

Mahabodhi temple known as the Great Awakening Temple, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the oldest brick temples and one of the holiest sites of Buddhism in India. It is located in Bodh  Gaya, Bihar state in India. The brick structure was built by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka but later the structure was replaced. The temple is about fifty-five meters in height. The following are some of the  discussed and recognizable facts about the temple;

1. Place for Gautam Buddha enlightenment 

A young prince by the name of Siddhartha who later became Gautam Buddha went under meditation. He sat under a peepul tree for three days and three nights while meditating. The peepul is a tree also called the Bodhi tree next to the Mahabodhi temple. The prince was meditating about his life experiences and wanted to penetrate its truth. It is believed it’s under this Bodhi tree that the young prince got the enlightenment by getting all the answers that he sought for three days and three nights. Buddhists all over the world continue to visit it as it is one of the holiest places for them.

2.Temple declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site 

In June the year two thousand and two, the temple complex was declared to be a UNESC  O World Heritage site. A report on state conservation was submitted to the state party to protect the property at the Bihar state level. After a meeting, the integration of relevant provisions of the site management plan shows the temple complex was declared to be under UNESCO. There were advisory bodies and the plan management. This led to legal protection of all its religious artifacts since the year two thousand and two (2002).

3.Built by Emperor Ashoka 

Ashoka’s Mahabodhi Temple and Diamond throne in Bodh Gaya, built c. 250 BCE, y Ken Kawasaki,

The temple complex was the first temple built by emperor Ashoka in the third century. It was one of the oldest brick temples in India. It was during the ruling of the Gupta empire that the construction commenced. Being the main temple, it has a classical Indian architectural style with motifs and layers. The main shrine faces eastwards and this is where the gold-plated statue is placed. The temple wall has a  height of eleven meters built in Indian architectural style. The temple itself is fifty-five meters in height 

or one hundred and eighty feet above the ground. Its pyramid tower comprises several layers of motifs and engravings, with four towers each identical to the central counterpart and topped with an umbrella-like dome.

4.Scary legend of Bodhi tree 

There is the belief that if the Bodhi tree did not exist in Bodh Gaya, the land would be would not support the growth of any plant. There would be nothing in existence nor any living being to walk in the region. This was due to a similar scenario that occurred after the original Bodhi tree was destroyed. No grass would even grow. They believe the location of the Bodhi tree is the navel of the earth. 

5 . Footprint of Lord Buddha

There is a lotus pond in the temple almost near the Bodhi tree. The path running around the pond has many stone lotus carved. It is said Lord Buddha spent seven weeks of his life meditating in this region by walking eighteen steps front and back. The stone lotuses got an imprint of Buddha. The footprint only reminds people that Buddha was on the earth and left a spiritual path to be followed.

6.A decorated Buddha 

It is common to find Buddha not decorated in some temples. However, in Mahabodhi, the Buddha statue is decorated. In the portion where he sat to meditate, he is covered with gold. He has also dressed up in a bright orange robe always and a flower garland covers it.

7.Mucalinda lake in the temple 

A statue of Mucalinda protecting the Buddha in Mucalinda Lake, Mahabodhi Temple, By Alok Kumar,

The earth darkened for seven days after Buddha began meditation under the Bodhi tree. This led to a  staggering rain and the king of serpent Lucinda came out of the lake to protect Buddha with an umbrella of his place. Since then the lake was named after the king hence lake Lucinda. This is also called the lotus spot and it’s one of the most beautiful sceneries in the temple complex.

8.Restoration of Mahabodhi temple 

The work of restoration was begun by the British Colonial government under the leadership of Alexander and David Beglar. Previously the Muslim Turk’s invasion led to the removal of the main Buddha image. The image was restored during this colonial period. Since restoration, it is being repaired and devotionally worshipped in the sanctum.

9.Dilemma where to place the right statue 

After the construction of the temple, there was a dilemma on where to place the statue arose. A man came who said he would do the work perfectly in six months. He asked for scented clay with a lamp that would be placed inside the temple and to clock the temple doors for six months. Everything was done as per his wish. However, curiosity got people and they opened the door four days before the six months ended. They found a perfect statue and the only thing that wasn’t done was a small part of the breast.

10.Bodhi tree 

Bodhi Tree, By Neil Satyam,

This tree is considered to be sacred and many devotees and the temple monks do prostrations over there mostly. They consider it will make them pure after performing the prostration. Some Buddhists do for around one lakh times regularly to stretch at a time. 

In conclusion, the Mahabodhi temple has helped in great relevance to mark the most important event in the life of Lord Buddha after the enlightenment of Siddhartha that shaped human life and belief, especially for the Buddhist followers. Various sites in the complex like the Bodhi tree have strengthened the regime 

of Buddhism and has guided Buddhist doctrines where people are taught all expected doctrines. Furthermore, it has acted as a site for tourist attractions from different places.