Things to See in Bodhgaya – Experience the History and Heritage of Buddhism

The Mahabodhi Temple is the site the Buddha attained enlightenment; hence this is India's most spiritual site for Buddhist. The Mahabodhi Temple is easy to reach if you are staying at a centrally located hotel in Bodhgaya and should be your first stop. Guests staying at such properties the likes of Oaks Bodhgaya will find the site within a 5 to 10-minute drive away. The temple was built by Ashoka in the third century and later restored by the British colonists in 1880. It was only in 2002 the temple was recognised for its importance and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The sheer grandeur of the place will overwhelm you, while the manicured lawns and the meditation garden located in an inner courtyard, featuring fountains and the silvery chime of bells will soothe mind body and soul. The temple is open from 5 am to 9 pm daily.

The Bodhi Tree located right behind the main shrine is a branch of the original tree the Buddha meditated under before reaching enlightenment. This is believed to be the original site, although the lush tree growing there is thought to be the 4th or 5th sapling of the original tree which grew there over 2500 years ago. 'Bodhi' translates to 'awakening' and as you spend time under the shade of this holy tree, you will realise the serene tranquillity the Buddha encountered as he meditated under the rustling leaves of this Bodhi's ancestor tree.

This is deemed to be the first Buddha statue to be built in India and is certainly the largest. Over 25 metres high this statue of the sitting Buddha is located next to the Maha Bodhiya and cannot be missed for its huge girth. The Dalai Lama unveiled the statue in 1989 and it's flanked by smaller statues depicting the Buddha's followers. The statue is open to the public from 7 am to noon and again from 2 pm to 6 pm.

This is the site the Buddha spent his second week of meditation at and is located to the north-east of the Maha Bodhi Tree. It is believed that during this week the Buddha, kept looking at the grand Bodhi tree without so much as blinking his eyes, hence the name, Animesh Lochana which translates to 'open eye'. The shrine is open from 7 am to 7 pm daily.

This shrine is part of the Maha Bodhi Temple and considered one of the most sacred of shrines located there. The shrine is situated on the northern side of the temple and denotes the pathway along which the Buddha practised walking meditation. His footsteps are carved into the lotus shapes fashioned out of black stone lining the path.