During the sixth century BCE, Prince Siddhartha had been wandering, seeking the meaning of life for six years before he came to area. Sitting down under a pipal tree, he vowed to remain there in meditation until he attained enlightenment. Emperor Ashoka built a shrine here in the third century BCE to commemorate the event. The present Mahabodhi Temple is thought to have been built between the fifth and seventh centuries CE but has been added to over the years. Built upon a 15 meter (49 ft) square base, the pyramid rises 52 meters (170 ft) and is built entirely of brick. Towers on each of the structure's four corners rise to the same height. Inside the temple, there is a gigantic black stone statue of the Buddha which is thought to be around 1700 years old. He is shown seated with his right hand upon the earth, the posture he held while attaining his enlightenment. Today, the Mahabohdi Temple remains an important pilgrimage destination and became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

Ficus religiosa is a member of the magnolia family, commonly known in its native India as the pipal (pipul, peepul), or Bo tree. This species is extremely long-lived and can grow 20-30 meters (6-9 feet) high. It bears red flowers in February and fruits during May and June. There are traditional medicinal uses for the roots, bark, leaves, flowers and fruit of this tree. There is a legend that King Ashoka's wife cut down the original tree in a fit of jealousy at the time her husband devoted to the site. The tree grew back and a stone wall was built around it for its protection. The present Bodhi tree stands behind the Mahabodhi Temple and is at least the 4th descendant of the original.

There have been 198 stupas of varying sizes built at Bodh Gaya over the past 2500 years, most of which are noted for their elegant construction and ornamental relief carvings. There are other sacred spots nearby such as the Vajrasana or Diamond Throne, a red sandstone seat under the Bodhi tree which marks the spot where the Buddha sat; the Animesh Lochana, where he sat during the first week after his enlightement to gaze at the sacred tree; the Jewel Walk, which is decorated with eighteen carved lotuses, where the Buddha paced during the second week after his enlightenment; and the Ratnagrih, where a multicolored light was seen to emanate from the Buddha.

View photographs:

Mahabodhi Temple 1

Mahabodhi Temple 2

Map of Mahabodhi Temple Plan



Hindu Shrines in Gaya
Hindus also visit Bodh Gaya, as they believe that the Buddha was an incarnation of Vishnu, but the main town of Gaya, 16 km from Bodh Gaya, has long been sacred to Hindus as a place of pilgrimage. Sons must journey here to fulfill their obligation to perform shradda, or ancestral rites. Gaya is situated on the Phalgu (Dry) River. This river is seasonal, though if you dig into the riverbed when it is dry, you will immediately find clear water.

Gaya takes its name from Gayasura, a Hindu demon who had acquired divine powers, so that just by seeing or touching him a person could go straight to heaven. For this encroachment into his own realm, Lord Vishnu killed Gaya, but decreed that the ten square mile space covered by his dead body would become holy for all time. The Hindus believe that by performing the proper rites here, the sins of their ancestors can be absolved.

The main ancestral rites here are carried out in the Hindu months of Chaitra (March-April) and Karttika (October-November). If you are considering a pilgrimage to Gaya, you should plan to stay for a week in order to perform the proper rituals so that your ancestors may ascend into heaven. Each day has its own prescribed rituals to complete. These include bathing in the holy waters of the Phalgu river and various other pools, and paying visits to the numerous temples and sacred hills around Gaya. Before you leave your home village, you must walk around it five times so that the souls of your ancestors will know you are going and can accompany you.

The Vishnupada Temple is the main temple in Gaya and was erected over the footprint of Vishnu, which is preserved in a block of basalt, marking his victory over Gaya. Hindu pilgrims pour water over the footprint in worship of Vishnu and as part of the ancestral rites.

Brahmayoni Hill is only a short distance to the southwest of the Vishnupada Temple. You will have to climb 424 stone steps to reach the summit but the view will make your effort worthwhile. There are two narrow caves at the top of the hill and it is said that if you venture through them, you will not have to be reborn but will go directly to heaven.

You will have to hike 5km from Vishnupada Temple to fulfill your duties to your ancestors on Ramshila Hill at the two temples situated there. From Ramshila Hill, you should walk another 3km to Pretshila Hill, the Hill of Ghosts. At the bottom of this hill you should purify yourself by bathing in the kunda, a natural reservoir, and make your offering of pinda, small balls of food offered during the shraddha or ancestor ceremony, before you climb the hill.

Be sure to visit the Akshya-vat, the immortal banyan tree on the way to Brahmayoni Hill, and the Sakti temple on top of Mangala Gauri Hill, where the breast of Sakti is said to have fallen when Lord Siva was carrying her body. Also in Gaya is the Dakshinaarka Temple to the sun god Surya. Sun worship in Maghada is an ancient practice mentioned in the Puranas but the current temple dates from the 13th century .

sources:
Basham, A.L. The Wonder That Was India. New York: Grove Press, Inc., 1959.
A Study of Gaya, India
History of the Mahabodhi Temple
Bodh Gaya
Holy Sites of Buddhism: Bodh Gaya
Pipal Tree
Gaya
TempleNet
Photo of the Bodhi tree courtesy of Wikimedia Commons