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Explore Bodhgaya
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▪The Mahabodhi Temple: |
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The Mahabodhi Temple with a soaring 1,850 ft high pyramidal spire and four smaller spires has a long religious history attached to it. The Temple houses a gilded image of the Enlightened Buddha with one hand touching the ground, calling the earth to witness his Awakening. An ornately carved stone railing on three sides surrounds it. The entire courtyard of the Temple is studded with a large number of varieties of stupas of all sizes built over the past 2500 years. Other holy sites within the Temple complex include the Chankramana, the promenade where Buddha paced in deep thought, the spot where Buddha stood transfixed for a week gazing upon the Bodhi tree after his Enlightenment known as the Animeshlochana or Unblinking Eye and the Lotus Pond, where Buddha bated. There are several modern monasteries in the area. Among them is the Japanese Monastery, a grand double storey structure ornamented with gold images of Buddha. The Thai Monastery is a colorful pagoda aglitter with gilding. Ornately painted, the Tibetan Monastery houses a Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Law) that must be turned three times before praying for forgiveness |
