The Mahabodhi Temple, one of the few surviving examples of early brick structures in India, has had a significant impact on architectural development over the centuries. Balustrades, as well as the memorial column the current temple is one of the late Gupta period's earliest and most imposing structures built entirely of brick. The sculpted stone balustrades are an outstanding example of early stone sculptural reliefs.
As the location where the Lord Buddha
(566-486 BC) attained supreme and perfect insight while seated under the Bodhi
Tree in 531 BC, the Temple Complex has direct associations with his life. It
provides exceptional records of the events surrounding his life and subsequent
worship, especially since Emperor Asoka made a pilgrimage to this location
around 260 BC and built the first temple on the site of the Bodhi Tree. The
Mahabodhi Temple Complex is situated in the heart of Bodh Gaya. The main temple
and six sacred places are contained within an enclosed area, with a seventh,
the Lotus Pond, just outside the enclosure to the south.
The giant Bodhi Tree is the most important
of the sacred sites (Ficus religiosa). This tree is located to the west of the
main temple and is thought to be a direct descendant of the original Bodhi
Tree, where the Buddha spent his First Week and attained enlightenment. The
Animeshlochan Chaitya (prayer hall) is located on a raised area to the north of
the central path, where the Buddha is said to have spent the Second Week. The
Buddha spent the Third Week walking 18 paces back and forth in an area known as
Ratnachakrama, which is located near the main temple's north wall. Ratnaghar
Chaitya, located to the northeast of the enclosure wall, is where he spent the
Fourth Week. On the central path, immediately after the steps of the east entrance,
there is a pillar marking the location of the Ajapala Nigrodh Tree, under which
Buddha meditated during his Fifth Week, answering Brahmins' questions. He spent
the Sixth Week near the Lotus Pond to the south of the enclosure and the
Seventh Week beneath the Rajyatana Tree, which is now marked by a tree.
The Bodhi Tree
Siddharth Gautam, a young prince, witnessed
the world's sufferings and was unable to bear them. In his quest to end all
suffering and pain in the world, he arrived at Gaya's forested banks of the
Phalgu River. He sat in meditation under a pipal tree, and after three nights
and three days of deep meditative state, Siddharth Gautam attained
enlightenment, and the pipal tree became known as the Bodhi Tree. This is where
Emperor Ashoka erected a temple to honor the great Gautam Buddha.
According to legend, the Bodhi Tree arose
at the same time as Gautam Buddha was born. According to legend, a lotus will
bloom at the site where a Buddha is born, and it will bloom in proportion to
the number of Buddhas that are expected to arise. According to Buddhist
mythology, if there is no Bodhi Tree at the location at any point in time, the
ground around the tree will be barren of any plants for the distance of one
royal Karisa, and no being, not even a being as strong as an elephant, will be
able to pass through this area.
According to the Jatakas, because Buddha
attained enlightenment here, this must be the earth's navel, because no other
location on the planet can support the weight of Buddha's enlightenment. It is
also believed that when the world is destroyed, the Bodhimanda will be the last
place to vanish and the first place to reappear when the world returns to life.
Architectural Significance Of Mahabodhi Temple
The ancient temple's sanctum shrine contains
a gold-painted statue of Buddha made of black stone. It was constructed by the
Pala kings of Bengal. The Buddha is seated in the Bhumisparsa Mudra asana, also
known as the 'Earth touching posture.' The Mahabodhi temple is surrounded on
all four sides by two types of railings that are about two meters high. The old
railings are made of sandstone and date back to 150 BC. They depict Goddess
Laxmi being bathed by elephants and Lord Surya riding a chariot drawn by four
horses.
The
more recent ones are made of unpolished granite and are thought to have been
built during the Gupta period. They are carved with stupas or reliquary
shrines, 'garudas' or eagles, and lotuses. The upper portion of the temple was
covered in gold in 2013, as a gift from the King of Thailand and Lord Gautam
Buddha devotees.
The History Behind The Temple
The original structure was built primarily
of brick and stucco, which is not a very durable foundation when compared to
stone. Nonetheless, despite the odds of its lifeline, the original structure
has impressively survived for many years. It is one of the Gupta period's
oldest and most imposing structures made entirely of brick.
Given the centuries since its construction, it
is bound to be affected by the new environment as well as the inevitable wear
and tear. Under the supervision of the famous British archaeologist Sir A.
Cunningham, J. D. M Beglar, and renowned Indian archaeologist Dr. Rajendra Lal
Mitra, the temple underwent a very detailed and thorough scientific renovation
in 1883. Following that, on the occasion of the 2500th Buddha Jayanti
celebrations, the Government of India repaired and expanded the ancient
temple's premises. As a result, to maintain its unparalleled beauty, the temple
has undergone several restorations, renovations, and repairs.
How To Reach Mahabodhi Temple
Gaya Railway Station is the closest railway
station to the Mahabodhi temple, located 16 kilometers away. You can take an
auto from here to the temple, which will cost you between INR 80 and INR 120.
Because there are rarely any shortages of auto-rickshaws, bargaining is not
only possible but also recommended.
Taking a bus to the Gaya Bus Stand, which is
only 12.4 kilometers away, is another convenient and cost-effective option. You
can hail taxis and autos from anywhere in the city, and you will have no
trouble finding this extremely popular attraction.
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