Religious Sites in Bodhgaya - Ten Places every Buddhist must visit

Constructed in the 7th century AD, the ancient temple of Bodhgaya the number one attraction in the area. It was destroyed beyond recognition in the 11th century with the Muslim invasions. The current structure was built in 1880 and is considered one of the most revered places for Buddhists.

The Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya is important because it is considered to be the tree under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. However, according to prevailing records, the existing tree is not the original tree itself, but a sapling of the original. You can easily find stories surrounding the Bodhi Tree and its spread in pamphlets that are widespread in the area including at many a hotel in Bodhgaya.

Built according to Thai style of architecture, this monastery is something of an anomaly in the area which leans towards Indian architecture. However, the curved roof of the monastery is plated gold and is often considered as the most beautiful monastery in the world.

The Great Buddha Statue in Bodhgaya is one of the most popular images associated with the area and is in fact used on sites of popular hotels in the area like Oaks Bodhgaya. It is 80 feet in height and is listed among the tallest Buddha Statues in the country.

Signifying the widespread of Buddhism across countries and regions, the Vietnamese temple is a recent addition to the religious places in Bodhgaya, built only in 2002 by the Vietnam Government.

Built, as the name implies, according to traditional Japanese architecture, the temple walls are covered with carvings of Buddhist preachings. It is made entirely of wood and is definitely worth a visit for its unique architectural features.

Situated in the heart of Bodhgaya, the Royal Bhutan Monastery is well known for its depictions of stories from Buddha's life. It is visited by millions of devotees from across the world every year.

Playing a prominent role in Buddhist stories, the Muchalinfa Lake is a place of mythical surrealism. The lake is marked by a wooden sculpture of Buddha meditating on a coiled snake, reminiscing the story of Muchalinda the snake.

While the Museum curated by the Archaeological Society of India may be small in size, it definitely is worth a visit for the history it contains within its walls. It is a good place to spend an afternoon when the outside becomes too hot for the non-tropical traveller.

Ajapala Nigrodha Tree is among the objects purified during the enlightenment of Buddha and features in many Buddhist stories. Said to have been planted by a faithful shepherd boy, it is said that Buddha spent the fifth week of mediation under the tree.