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India has from times immemorial been a center of culture, civilizations and religions. And is also the place where Buddhism one of many great religion was implanted apart from Hinduism. For over 2000 years the focal point of Buddhism has been Bodhgaya or Buddhagaya. Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya is the most sacred Buddhist site and is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in the world. Bodhgaya is the place where over 2000 years ago a prince named Gautama Siddhartha achieved Enlightment and came to be known as Lord Buddha. Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya is located in the state of Bihar in eastern India. Gautama Siddhartha renounced his princely life and became a monk. After meditating under a pipal tree he attained enlightenment and insight. The descendent of this pipal tree also referred to as holy Bodhi tree can be found in the complex of Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya. The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya built around 6th-7th centuries is the largest but is a later structure constructed on the site of the Bodhi Shrine of Buddha. This temple was constructed by the famous Emperor Asoka who embraced Buddhism after feeling guilty of leading a life of war and death. The temple is 170 ft high consisting of nine storeys of pyramidal towers. The structure has a stupa shaped dome at the top. At the base of the main tower are four towers at each of the four corners. On the edifice are several niches with Buddha images depicting scenes from his life. As you enter the temple you can see the main shrine which is built where Buddha attained Enlightenment. The place is called "the Navel of the Earth" (puthavinabhim) where Buddha gained wisdom, knowledge and light and later experienced this joy of liberation for the next seven days sitting there. On the shrine is a massive two meter high statue of Lord Buddha seated with his right hand touching the sky in earth-witness mudra gesture. It in this gesture that Buddha attained Enlightenment. Made of black stone and covered with gold it looks very serene dressed in the orange robes. The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya's courtyard is filled with many Buddha statues and at the back of the temple is the sacred Bodhi Tree. A place called the 'Jewel Walk' is near the tree where Lord Buddha practiced walking meditation for seven days after enlightenment. In 2002 UNESCO has declared Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya a World Heritage Site. So come and discover this peaceful place and get yourself enlightened and find your true path!
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