Bodh Gaya- the most sacred Buddhist destination in India
Religion of Buddhism is based on the teachings of Siddhartha
, Lord Gautam Buddha. The principles of Buddhism include doing no evil, to cultivate well and to purify one's mind. The religion also believes in Karma- the law of cause and effect. India is a home to many Buddhist pilgrimages out of which Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist destination in India.
The most significant Buddhist destination of Bodhgaya is the Mahabodhi Temple where Gautam Buddha's enlightenment took place. The Mahabodhi temple build by Emperor Ashoka is considered to be the most sacrosanct Buddhist pilgrimage India. The beautiful architecture of this temple is fabulous which gives a pose and balance to the observers. This sacred edifice stands in east to the Bodhi tree. Inside the temple there is a colossal image of Buddha in a sitting position touching the earth by his right hand. Mahabodhi temple is one of the oldest brick structures that have survived in India. The temple is surrounded by stone railings which are about two meters high.
Another most noteworthy Buddhist destination in India located at Bodh Gaya is the Bodhi Tree. Gautam Buddha sat under this tree for enlightenment. It is said that this tree was secretly cut down by the wife of Emperor Ashoka. The reason behind her jealousy was that Ashoka used to spend a lot of time under this tree. The present tree is just a descendent of the original tree.
The history of Bodh Gaya is as old as the history of Buddhism. This Buddhist destination in India offers a few more nearby locations to visit. The Hariharnath temple at Sonepur, the Swarna Gufa at Rajgir, the earliest carved out Buddhist caves known as Barabar Caves, the temple dedicated to son god called Deo, Nalanda famous for the Nalanda University.
The Buddhist destinations in India are the sacred pilgrimage centers showcasing the existence of Buddhist culture in India.
Bodh Gaya- the most sacred Buddhist destination in India