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Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya
The
Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodh Gaya is located in the central
part of the state of Bihar, in the northeastern part of India. It
is the part of the great Ganges plains. The Mahabodhi Temple is
located at the place of Lord Buddha's enlightenment. Bihar is one
of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, and
particularly to the attainment of Enlightenment.
The first temple was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century
BC, and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries.
It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely with brick,
still standing in India, from the late Gupta period. The site of
the Mahabodhi Temple provides exceptional records of the events
associated with the life of Buddha and subsequent worship, particularly
since Emperor Ashoka built the first temple, the balustrades, and
the memorial column. The sculpted stone balustrades are an outstanding
early example of sculptural relics in stone.
