Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya - One Of The Most Important Shrine Of Buddhists - Bihar - India

The Bodhgaya Stupa Also Known as Mahabodhi Vihara was erected in the place where Buddha Shakyamuni gained enlightenment some 2500 years ago. A UNESCO World Heritage Site Mahabodhi Temple Located at Bodhgaya about 96 km from Patna Bihar state of India. Mahabodhi Mahavihara Temple is easily accessible from the major towns and cities of Bihar. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya is one of the four holy sites of Buddhism.

Location: Bodhgaya, Bihar
Coordinates: 24.696006° N, 84.991350° E
Built in: 3rd century
Dedicated to: Lord Buddha
Attraction: Listed as UNESCO World Heritage Site
Significance: Site of Enlightenment
Altitude: 113 metres.
Climate: Summer- Max.47, Min.28. Winter- Max.28, Min.4.
Rainfall: 186 cms ( Mid. June to Mid. September ).
Best Season: October to March.

Maha Bodhi Temple, one of the holiest sites of Buddhism located in Bodh Gaya (in central Bihar state, northeastern India) on the banks of the Niranjana River. It was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2002. The current temple dates from the 5th and 6th centuries. Being one of the few surviving examples of early brick architecture in India, it has yielded significant influence in the development of architecture in brick. The Maha Bodhi temple is administered by the Hindus and the Buddhist council jointly as the Hindus also consider the Buddha as a reincarnation of the Hindu deity Vishnu. Therefore, the combined contribution of both the sects presents the core of the vivid Indian culture in form of unity. The Maha Bodhi temple is situated at Bodh Gaya, in the southern Bihar, India. Bodh Gaya is at a distance of 100 Kilometers from Patna, the capital of Bihar. The sacred Bodhi tree under which Siddhartha Gautama meditated and attained spiritual knowledge is situated on the west side of the temple. There are plenty of towers in the temple and the longest one is believed to be 55 meters tall. The gold painted idol of Lord Buddha sitting in the 'Bhumisparsa Mudra' (Earth touching posture) captivates the attention of the visitors.

A UNESCO World heritage site, this temple complex houses structures built in the Dravidian style, as opposed to the usual Nagara style of temples. In the 11th century Acarya Dharmakirti from Sumatra made a pilgrimage to Lumbini, Kapilavatthu and Bodh Gaya. Further evidence for the temple dating to the time of Ashoka comes from historical information, including a terracotta plaque and relief carvings referencing Ashoka and the temple found dating to around 25 BCE. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is located in the very heart of the city of Bodh Gaya. The site consists of the main temple and six sacred places within an enclosed area, and a seventh one, the Lotus Pond, just outside the enclosure to the south. The sacred Bodhi tree stands to the west of the above temple. It is known as the pipal tree (Ficus religiosa) in India. It is believed that this tree is the direct descendant of the original tree under which Lord Buddha meditated. There are records of pilgrims coming to Bodh Gaya from all over India and from almost every land and region where Buddhism spread. The present Bodhi Tree is most probably the fifth descendant of the original tree to be planted at this site. It still performs a very important role to Buddhists of all traditions.

Entry Fee And Other Charges For Visit Mahabodhi Temple

There's no entry fee. However, the charge for cameras is 20 rupees, and 300 rupees for video cameras. The meditation park is open from sunrise until sunset. The entry fee is 20 rupees for visitors and 25 rupees for meditators.

Opening Time For Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

The Maha Bodhi temple remains All days of the week for the visitors and timing is between 5:00 am to 12:00 noon and from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The meditation park is open from sunrise until sunset.

Best Time To Visit Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Bodh Gaya can be visited throughout the year. But the best deal is paying a visit in the months between October and March due to the pleasant weather.

Tourist Attractions Near Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

The tourist attractions in Bodhgaya are associated with the life of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. You can visit many places realeted with Gautama Buddha like Prestshila Hills and Nalanda and Rajgir. Bodhi Tree , Mahabodhi Stupa, Thai Monastery, 80-foot Buddha Statue, Royal Bhutanese Monastery, Japanese temple, Archaelogical Museum, Tergar Monastery, Phowa Center, Gendhen Phelgyeling Monastery, Karma Dhargye Chokhorling Monastery, Root Institute, Kagyu Monlam Chenmo, Nyingma Monlam Chenmo, Bodhgaya Multimedia Museum, Barabar caves,Taiwanese Temple,Animesh Lochana Chaitya Shrine, Cankamana, Muchalinda Lake, Ajapala Nigrodha Tree, Sujatha Temple, Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple, Tibetan Monastery, Thai Monastery, Myanmar Monastery, Chinese Monastery, Bhutanese Monastery, Japanese Monastery and Sri Lankan Monastery. are also tourist attractions are very closed from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya.

Shopping Near Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

You can shop winter woollens or textiles at the Tibetan Refugee Market is very closed from temple. There are quite a few souvenir stalls at Kundan Bazaar also. If you are of a religious or spiritual bent, you will also find good novels and books on Buddhist philosophy and culture. You can also shop CDs and books about Buddhist philosophy and culture in temple complax.

Restaurants Near Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Here is a list of some famous and popular Restaurants which are very closed from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya.

Tibet Om
Bodhgaya Near Birladrhamsala
0.2 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Lotus Restaurant
Near Birla Dharmsala, Bus Parking
0.2 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Be Happy Cafe
Kalachakra Ground In Front of Vietnamese Temple
0.4 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Siam Thai Restaurant
Near Chinese Temple Main road
0.4 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Zera Coffee Company India
Arya Complex
0.6 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Baba Restaurant
Main Road Pacchatti Bazar, Bodhgaya Bazar
0.7 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Mahamaya Palace restaurant
Near Sujata Bridge, Bakrour,
0.8 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Food House Indian Restaurant
Domuhan-Bodhgaya Road
4.3 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Hotels Near Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Here is a list of some famous and popular Hotels which are very closed from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya.

Hotel Buddha International 3.0 Star Hotel
Opp. Japanese Temple, Mastipur, Bodh Gaya
0.1 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Hotel Bodhgaya Regency 3.0 Star Hotel
near Japanese Temple, Bodh Gaya
0.2 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Hotel Mahamaya
Near Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya, Bodh Gaya
0.2 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Hotel Vishal International 2.0 Star Hotel
Bodh Gaya 824231, India
0.2 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Hotel Tathagat International 3.0 Star Hotel
Near Mahabodhi Main Temple, In front of Museum, Bodh Gaya
0.2 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Sujata Hotel 2.5 Star Hotel
Temple Street, Near Wat Thai Temple, Bodh Gaya
0.6 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Hotel Tokyo Vihar 3.0 Star Hotel
opposite to Japanese temple, Located Just Opposite to the Japanese Temple, Bodh Gaya
0.8 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Mahamaya Palace Hotel & Conference Center
Near Sujata Bridge, Bakraur Village Rd., Bodh Gaya
1.1 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Hotel R.K. Palace 3.0 Star Hotel
Do Muhan Road, Bodh Gaya
1.6 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Lotus Nikko Hotel Bodhgaya 3.0 Star Hotel
Bodhgaya Bihar, Bodh Gaya
1.6 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

Hotel Taj Darbar 3.5 Star Hotel
Buddha Marg, Bodh Gaya
1.6 km from Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

How to Reach Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya

By Air :

Gaya (17 km) is the nearest airport to this temple.

By Rail :

The nearest railhead that links the temple is Gaya situated at a distance of 16 km.

By Road :

Gaya is well linked by road to Patna, which is about 112 kms away.

Google Map For Mahabodhi Temple Bodhgaya