Mahabodhi Temple, Where Buddha Attained Enlightenment

Bodhgaya Buddha Tree (Bodhi Tree)

The uniqueness of the Mahabodhi temple is that it is built upon the site where Buddha attained enlightenment some 25000 years ago. This temple is one of the many shrines to be built by the first Indian Buddhist ruler Emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century B.C. The Mahabodhi temple is also popularly known as a Buddhist Stupa or the Buddha Gaya temple and is situated in Bodhgaya, India. It is believed that Buddha attained enlightenment under a descendant of this bodhi tree and hence is regarded as the most sacred spot in Buddhism. Therefore this place gained a historical significance as it witnessed Buddha attaining enlightenment, one of the greatest events of history and there by becoming a holy pilgrim center. It is revered as an important holy pilgrimage not only by Buddhist & also by many Hindus as they believe Buddha to be an avtaar of Lord Vishnu.