Bodhgaya

 The mahabodhi (Great Enlightenment) Temple is a Buddhist stupa found in bodhgaya, India. It is the most consecrated site in Buddhism and went by consistently by both Buddhist and Hindu explorers (numerous Hindus honor the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishn

 The date of Gautama Buddha's enlightenment is not known for certain  Emperor Asoka (3rd century BC), the first Buddhist ruler of India  A stone rail was put up around the perimeter in the 1st century AD, part of which still remains.  In the 2nd century, the shrine was replaced by the present Mahabodhi Temple

 Temple is the Bodhi Tree, a descendent of the very tree under which the Buddha was enlightened  Jewel Walk, marking the place where the Buddha is said to have practiced walking meditation for seven days after his enlightenment.  Tree from the original sapling still standing in the premises are very much alive providing a stage for Buddhism

 Mahabodhi Temple is dedicated to Lord Buddha  The colossal image of Buddha in earth-witness posture, touching earth with the tip of His right hand  According to the mythological beliefs in this gesture Buddha experienced the supreme enlightenment.

 Gautama Buddha, the initiator of Buddhism, was the Prince of Gautama dynasty  Who attained the supreme awakening in the sixth century B.C. at this holy place and became sage Buddha  Gautama Buddha inspired many souls and bragged a unique path that lies between sensual pleasures and asceticism

 Emperor Asoka who built the first temple in 260 BCE when he came to this place to worship the Bodhi Tree  Buddhist texts of both Theravadhan and Mahayanan traditions have clear reference of this event of Buddha's enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

 Buddhists from all over the world today venerate Bodh Gaya as the holiest place of Buddhist pilgrimage in the world. This confirms the use, function, location and setting of the complex/property.

 The inscribed property contains all the attributes necessary to convey its outstanding universal value. The historical evidences and texts reveal that the parts of present Temple Complex date from different periods

 Dipak K. Barua, “Buddha Gaya Temple: its history”  Buddha Gaya Through the Ages. Delhi: Sri Satguru Publications  Sowing the Seeds of the Lotus: A Journey to the Great Pilgrimage Sites of Buddhism, Part I" by John C. Huntington. Orientations, November 1985