Joanna James
Bodhgaya regarded as the birthplace of Buddhism, is amongst the religion's most symbolic sites. It was here that Lord Buddha attained Nirvana, forever marking the place a sacred sanctuary. Bodhgaya is a small village in the state of Bihar and is home to a vast collection of monasteries and shrines.
Referred to as the 'Great Awakening Temple', Mahabodhi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bodhgaya. Directly linked to the life of the Buddha, who attained Nirvana here, the huge temple takes up a staggering 4.8 hectares standing at a height of 55 metres. To the left of the temple is a beautiful Bodhi tree, believed to be a direct descendant of the very tree the Buddha meditated under. No matter which faith you are from, the holistic nature of this temple and its surroundings, promise to make you sense an inner peace.
This statue of the Buddha is the tallest in the country. Initiated in 1989 by the XIV Dalai Lama, the statue represents Buddha in a meditative post resting on a lotus. Bodhgaya which is just 3.5kms from Oaks Bodhgaya can be easily visited over a span of several days if you really want to explore all the shrines and attractions comprehensively. Most Bodhgaya hotels, in fact, offer easy access to the site, that pilgrims may leisurely explore and experience the holistic nature of the place.
This tree is probably the worlds most revered, for it is under the ancestor of this tree that Prince Siddhartha Gautama, meditated to attain Nirvana; thus becoming the Buddha. The Prince meditated for seven days under the tree, where a shrine by the name of Animisalocana Cetiya was built at a later date. In the 7th century, a small bodhiya too was built next to the tree. You will love the serene ambience surrounding the tree, where many traditional rituals are carried out and are a treat to witness.
If you love shopping for quirky objects and unique souvenirs this market should not be given a miss. There you can shop for a range of winter wear as well as beautifully created hand-crafts and some pretty unique souvenirs.
An interesting place to browse if you love culture and rifling through books of this nature; the bookshop is well stocked up on a range of reading material pertaining to Buddhism, culture and the fascinating history of the Mahabodhi complex.
The Thai monastery is fascinating to explore. Resplendent with a curved roof that is enhanced with elegant gold tiles, the shrine recently added a 25-metre tall statue of the Buddha in its garden; this is in addition to the beautiful bronze statue already in existence within the temple.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
