Sacred temple complex set amidst lush lawns marks the site where Buddha attained enlightenment or spiritual illumination.
Original temple at this site was built by emperor Ashoka in 3rd century B.C.
It was rebuilt during the 7th century A.D., by the Pala kings of Bengal.
Shrine was rediscovered in 1833, by eminent archaeologists and is now World Heritage Site of UNESCO.
Present structure is a blend of architectural styles of different periods and cultures, but the style of the Guptas and later stages is clearly evident.
Exquisitely carved 54 metres high pyramidal spire of the main temple dominates the landscape.
Main sanctum enshrines a golden image of Lord Buddha is sitting pasture.
Entire courtyard of the temple is studded with a large number of beautiful stupas, in different sizes and built during the past 2,500 years.

Lord Buddha is said to have attained nirvana, while meditating under this sacred tree.
It lies towards the left in the Mahabodhi Temple Complex.
Tree was destroyed and replanted at least five times.
Present tree grew from a sapling brought from the Bodhi tree at Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, which was planted by emperor Ashoka’s son Mahinda, who took a sapling from the original tree to Sri Lanka, on one of his missions to propagate the teachings of Lord Buddha.
Holy tree is surrounded by small, but beautifully carved votive stupas and chaityas.



Vajrasana:

The ‘seat of stability’, a red sandstone platform beneath the Bodhi tree marks the site where Buddha is believed to have set in meditation gazing east.
Probably dates back to 3rd century B.C. in 1993, the then Sri Lankan president Ranasinghe Premadasa gifted a golden canopy.
A golden railing around the Vajrasana as a gift from the people of Sri Lankan.

Important Hindu pilgrim site lies between the Pretshilla and Ramshila Hills, on the bank of river Phalgu, 12 kms away from Bodh city.
Gaya along with Varanasi and Allahabad are regarded by Hindus as the three most sacred sites for performing the funeral rites.
Hindus offer oblation here for the salvation of their ancestors.
Gaya also has a large number of Buddhist temples.
According to legends, a completely fatigued Lord Buddha rested here under
a tree and was offered food by a condemned lady named Sujata.
To everybody’s surprise Buddha accepted her offerings and after consuming the food, he assumed a divine glow and realised the ‘Supreme Truth’, that neither extreme self-indulgence nor self-mortification is ever required.
The Sujatha Sthan or Durgeshwari temple built here marks this important event in the life of Buddha.