What is the Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya, World Heritage Site in India

The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya is one of the four holy sites of Buddhism. The first temple was built by King Asoka of the Maurya Dynasty in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple is based on a reconstruction from the 5th to 6th century.It is the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment as well as one of the earliest Buddhist temples.

Here, a World Heritage enthusiast explains why the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya is a World Heritage Site in an easy-to-understand manner. Read this and you will definitely learn more about the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya!

What is the Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya? What do you call it?

Bodh Gaya is located about 100 km from Patna, Bihar, and is believed to be the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. This is one of the four most important holy places in Buddhism.The Mahabodhi temple here is also called the Mahabodhi temple.

The Mahabodhi temple originally originated as a Buddhist temple built by King Asoka of the Maurya dynasty that flourished in India in the 3rd century BC. The present temple is based on the one built in the 5th to 6th century.It is one of the earliest temples in Buddhist architecture, having been built in brick from the late Gupta Dynasty. The present building was restored in the 19th century.A large 52-meter-high pagoda stands in the main hall.

The most important sacred site in the temple is the giant “Bodhi Tree” to the west of the main hall. It is believed to be a descendant of the Bodhi tree that was located right next to Buddha when he attained enlightenment. The “Vajrapani” under the tree is where Buddha is said to have sat when he attained enlightenment. The Bodhi tree and the Vajrapani are surrounded by a fence called “Ranjun.

For what reason is the Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya on the World Heritage List?

The Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya was recognized for

Registration Criteria (i)
that the Mahabodhi temple was a complete brick structure and a work of artistic architecture in early India.

Registration Criteria (ii)
The fact that it is one of the few brick buildings in early India and has had a significant impact on Indian architectural history.

Registration Criteria (iii)
That King Asoka built the first temple here shows the development of the Buddhist faith.

Registration Criteria (iv)
that the present temple is based on a late Gupta dynasty brick structure and is an excellent example of stone relief.

Registration Criteria (vi)
The point in Buddha’s life that he became Buddha from Shakyamuni in this place, thus creating a strong religious belief among people.

World Heritage Mania Conclusions and Comments

It is one of the four holy sites of Buddhism and is valued in many ways, but it is important to remember that it is primarily valued by Buddhists as “the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment” and that the Mahabodhi temple had a great influence on early Indian architecture!

Like Jerusalem, this place has received support from Buddhist countries around the world. That may be why there are temples from various countries, and there is even a Japanese temple called “Indusan Nihonji”. The exterior of the temple has the same atmosphere as a Japanese temple, so it is a nostalgic place that reminds one of Japan even though one is in India.

*The content here is a discussion derived from research conducted by World Heritage enthusiasts.As for the data, interpretation differs depending on the medium.