How to discover Mahabodhi Temple In Bodhgaya
The Mahabodhi temple is found in Bihar and is one of the biggest and most iconic Buddhist temples in India.
About the temple
This temple has people travelling in from all over the world and is also a well-recognised UNESCO world heritage site. If you want to have some peace and calm during your trip amid all the other kinds of activities and exploring you will be doing in and around Bihar, visiting this place will be a great idea. Finding accommodation near this ancient religious site will make it easier for you to access it, and thus, book yourself a room at Oaks Bodhgaya or at any one of the many Bodhgaya hotels. Apart from the religious significance, the Mahabodhi temple has many places one can see around the area too, and the temple itself is a great architectural site and an example of what great engineering they used to have back in the day.
When to go
In this part of India, the hottest months of the year are from March to June but people still tend to visit this temple during these months as an important Buddhist festival falls then. If you are in town during this time make sure you visit the temple at the time of the festival so you will be able to see the celebration in all its glory. The monsoon season in Bihar is from July to September and you will find heavy rainfall during this month but people say that will not be all that a pleasant. If you are not visiting the Mahabodhi temple for religious reasons you could opt to travel there during the monsoon season as it would be a cheaper holiday then. The Winter season lasts from November to February and this is the peak travel season for this area. Many people say that this is the best time to go there for sightseeing and you will also be able to spot many Buddhist monks at the temple during this season. Throughout the year this temple is open from 5:00 a.m. and shuts only at 9:00 p.m.
History of the Mahabodhi Temple
This temple has such a great religious significance for Buddhists in and around in the country because the enlightenment of Lord buddha is directly related to this temple. The Bodhi tree that is found here is the one under which Lord Buddha got his enlightenment and the emperor Ashoka was the 1st person to claim that this was an important Buddhist religious site. During the 2nd century is when the temple was built around the tree, and in 1949 this temple started being recognised as a holy place for Buddhists.
What to expect
Since this is a religious place, make sure you are completely sober when you visit. Also, you must wear conservative clothing that does not show your shoulders or your knees. Ripped jeans are not allowed either. When you are inside the temple make sure you do not turn your back towards any Buddha statue or touch any statue unnecessarily. If you spot monks in and around the temple and they seem to be meditating or peacefully staring off into the distance, it is better if you do not disturb them or photograph them without their permission. You must also make sure that you do not touch the monks, especially if you are a female visitor. It is better to keep your voices low and not speak out loudly or shout across from one corner to the other while you are in this temple as the place is known for its serenity and peaceful ambience.
