Mahabodhi Temple Bihar

This Vihar is also known as Main Vihar or Mahabodhi Vihar. The structure of this monastery is similar to the stupa established by Emperor Ashoka. A huge statue of Gautam Buddha is installed in this monastery. The statue is the state of padmasana. It is a popular tradition here that this idol is installed at the same place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. There is a stone carved railing around the Vihar.This railing is the oldest relic found in Bodh Gaya. On the south-east side of this monastery complex, there is a park rich in natural scenery where Buddhist monks meditate. Common people can enter this park only with the permission of the tourism administration.
In this monastery complex, the seven places where Buddha spent seven weeks after attaining enlightenment have also been marked. The Bodhi tree mentioned in the Jataka tales is also here. This is a huge Peepal tree which is situated behind the main Vihar. Buddha attained enlightenment under this tree. The present Bodhi tree is the fifth generation of that Bodhi tree. The sound of bells in the morning in the Vihar group provides a strange peace to the mind.
Behind the main vihara there is a 7 feet high statue of Buddha made of red sandstone. This idol is in Vijrasana posture. There are flags of different colors around this statue which give a special attraction to this statue. It is said that in the third century BC, Emperor Ashoka had installed a throne made of diamonds at this very place and called it the navel center of the earth. In front of this statue, huge footprints of Buddha are made on brown sandstone. These footprints of Buddha are considered a symbol of Dharmachakra Pravartan.
After attaining enlightenment, Buddha spent the second week standing in front of this Bodhi tree. There is a statue of Buddha in this state here. This idol is called Animesh Lochan. Animesh Lochan Chaitya is built in the north-east of the main Vihar.
The northern part of the main vihara is known as Chankamana. It was at this place that Buddha spent the third week after attaining enlightenment. Now here there is a lotus flower made of black stone which is considered a symbol of Buddha.There is a roofless ruin in the north-western part of Mahabodhi Vihar which is known as Ratnaghara. It was at this place that Buddha spent the fourth week after attaining enlightenment. According to legends, Buddha was absorbed in deep meditation here when a ray of light emerged from his body. These colors of light have been used by different countries in their flags displayed here.
The Buddha spent the fifth week after attaining enlightenment under the Ajapala-Nigrodha tree, located a short distance from the northern door of the main vihara. Buddha spent the sixth week near Muchalinda Lake situated on the right side of Mahabodhi Viharaya. This pond is surrounded by trees on all sides. The statue of Buddha is installed in the middle of this pond. In this statue a huge snake is protecting the Buddha.There is a legend prevalent regarding this idol. According to this story, Buddha was so engrossed in prayer that he did not notice the storm coming. When the Buddha was caught in the torrential rain, Muchalinda, the king of snakes, came out of his abode and protected the Buddha.
There is a Rajyatna tree in the south-east of this Vihar complex. Buddha spent his seventh week under this tree after attaining enlightenment. It was here that Buddha met two Burmese (resident of Burma) traders. These traders prayed to Buddha for shelter. These prayers are chanted in the form of Buddham Sharanam Gachchami (I surrender to the Buddha). Since then this prayer became famous.
tibetan monastery
(located a five-minute walk west of Mahabodhi Vihar) which is the largest and oldest monastery of Bodhgaya, built in 1934 AD. Burmi Vihar (situated on the banks of Niranjana River on Gaya-Bodh Gaya Road) was built in 1936 AD. There are two prayer rooms in this monastery. Apart from this, there is also a huge statue of Buddha in it. Adjacent to it is the Thai Monastery (located 1 kilometer west of the Mahabodhi Vihar complex). The roof of this monastery is plated with gold. For this reason it is called the Golden Monastery.This monastery was established by the royal family of Thailand to commemorate the completion of 2500 years of the establishment of Buddhism. The Indosan-Nippon-Japanese Temple (located 11.5 kilometers south-west of the Mahabodhi Temple complex) was constructed in 1972–73. This monastery has been constructed on the basis of ancient Japanese monasteries made of wood. In this Vihar, important events that happened in the life of Buddha have been depicted through pictures. Chini Vihar (located five minutes’ walk west of the Mahabodhi Temple complex) was built in 1945 AD. A statue of Buddha made of gold is installed in this monastery. This monastery was rebuilt in 1997 AD. The Bhutanese Monastery is situated to the north of the Japanese Monastery. Excellent carving work has been done on the walls of this monastery. The newest Vihar built here is the Vietnamese Vihar.This monastery is located 5 minutes’ walk north of Mahabodhi Viharaya. This Vihar was constructed in 2002 AD. The statue of Avalokiteshvara, the incarnation of Buddha’s peace, is installed in this monastery.
Apart from these monasteries and viharas, some other monuments are also famous here. One of these is India’s tallest Buddha statue which is installed on a 6 feet high lotus flower. This entire statue is built on a 10 feet high base. Local people consider this statue to be 80 feet high.