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Buddhism is over 2000 years old and its epicenter is the city of Bodhgaya in the eastern state of Bihar. The city is famous for its sacred Mahabodhi Temple where Prince Gautama Siddhartha achieved Enlightenment and became Lord Buddha. His enlightenment was achieved while meditating under a peepal tree. After enlightenment he spent seven days at seven different places around the precincts of the temple. All these seven places are now shrines and one of them is Animeshlocan Chaiyata, Bodhgaya. These seven places are - - The Bodhi tree where Lord Buddha received Enlightenment.
- The shrine opposite the Bodhi Tree known as Animeshlochan Chaitya or the place of 'Unwinking Gaze' where He gazed and thanked the Bodhi tree.
- The third place is where he did the walking meditation or 'Cankamana'.
- The fourth place is the shrine of Jewel House where he reflected on the philosophy of metaphysics based on the laws of cause and effect. It is also believed that rays of different colors of red, blue, yellow, orange and white radiated from his body. These are also the colors for the Buddhist flag.
- The place where He conversed with Brahma under the Ajapala Nigrodha tree.
- The Lotus pond or Mucalinda tank where he spent his sixth week.
- The foot of tree Rajayatana where two merchants Tapussa and Bhallika became Buddha' first disciples. At Animeshlocan Chaiyata, Bodhgaya he gazed in thankful gratitude at the tree for being fruitful to Him. He stood there without blinking his eyes and that is why it is also called 'Animesalocana' or the place of 'Unwinking Gazing'.
The shrine is known as Animeshlocan Chaiyata, Bodhgaya as it was being dedicated to this event. Animeshlocan Chaiyata, Bodhgaya is located to the north-east of the Mahabodhi Temple. This place is now a prayer hall for the faithful.
So come and visit this sacred place and follow in the footsteps of the Lord Buddha.
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