Mahabodhi Temple | Description, History, & Facts

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height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/94612-050-B4EEB84A/temple-Buddhist-Mahabodhi-Bihar-India-Bodh-Gaya.jpg" data-href="/media/1/357832/115476" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/94612-004-2CBC5C6B/temple-Buddhist-Mahabodhi-Bihar-India-Bodh-Gaya.jpg" alt="Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India: Mahabodhi Buddhist temple" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/11/153511-050-B6A34277/Mahabodhi-temple-Bodh-Gaya-Bihar-India.jpg" data-href="/media/1/357832/162475" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/11/153511-004-2DFFF161/Mahabodhi-temple-Bodh-Gaya-Bihar-India.jpg" alt="Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India: Mahabodhi temple" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/153512-050-9DF4BABD/sculpture-Bodh-Gaya-Buddha-Mahabodhi-temple-India.jpg" data-href="/media/1/357832/162476" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img 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Gaya, India</div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-flex flex-row"> <div class="mr-10 mb-15"> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-block md-topic-tools qa-action-buttons mb-15" data-topic-id="357832"> <button class="js-tooltip btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border pr-10 border-2" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="more_vert"></em> More Actions </button> <div class="md-more-popover popover popover-sm p-0 font-14 z-1"> <div> <a class="js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" href="/print/article/357832" target="_blank" > <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="print"></em> Print </a> </div> <div> <button class="js-modal qa-cite-modal-button btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=357832] .md-cite-modal"> <em 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They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mahabodhi-Temple/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref1171708"></span>Mahabodhi Temple</strong>, one of the holiest sites of <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Buddhism" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Buddhism</a>, marking the spot of the <span id="ref1174970"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Buddha-founder-of-Buddhism" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Buddha</a>’s Enlightenment (<em><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/bodhi-Buddhism" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bodhi</a></em>). It is located in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bodh-Gaya" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bodh Gaya</a> (in central <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Bihar" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">Bihar</a> state, northeastern India) on the banks of the Niranjana River.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The Mahabodhi Temple is one of the oldest brick <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/temple-building" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">temples</a> in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/India" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">India</a>. The original structure, later replaced, was built by the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Mauryan-Empire" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Mauryan</a> emperor <span id="ref1174972"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ashoka" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Ashoka</a> (died <em>c.</em> 238 <span class="text-smallcaps">bce</span>), one of Buddhism’s most important proselytes, to <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="commemorate" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/commemorate" data-type="MW">commemorate</a> the Buddha’s Enlightenment. The <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/temple-building" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">temple</a> is 55 metres (180 feet) in height. Its pyramidal <em>shikhara</em> (tower) <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="comprises" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/comprises" data-type="MW">comprises</a> several layers of <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="niches" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/niches" data-type="MW">niches</a>, arch motifs, and fine engravings. Four towers, each identical to its central counterpart but smaller in size and topped with an umbrella-like dome, adorn the corners of the two-story structure. A shrine inside the temple holds a yellow <a href="https://www.britannica.com/science/sandstone" class="md-crosslink autoxref " data-show-preview="true">sandstone</a> statue of the Buddha encased in glass.</p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><div class="assemblies"><div class="w-100"><figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="115476" data-asm-type="image"><div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"><a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/94612-050-B4EEB84A/temple-Buddhist-Mahabodhi-Bihar-India-Bodh-Gaya.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/357832/115476"><picture><source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/94612-050-B4EEB84A/temple-Buddhist-Mahabodhi-Bihar-India-Bodh-Gaya.jpg?w=300"><img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/94612-050-B4EEB84A/temple-Buddhist-Mahabodhi-Bihar-India-Bodh-Gaya.jpg?w=300" alt="Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India: Mahabodhi Buddhist temple" data-width="1600" data-height="1068" loading="eager"></picture><button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"><em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em></button></a></div><figcaption class="card-body"><div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"><span><a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/94612-050-B4EEB84A/temple-Buddhist-Mahabodhi-Bihar-India-Bodh-Gaya.jpg" data-href="/media/1/357832/115476">Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India: Mahabodhi Buddhist temple</a><span>Mahabodhi Buddhist temple, built in the 2nd century <span class="text-smallcaps">ce</span>, Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India.</span><button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"><span class="link-blue">(more)</span></button></span></div></figcaption></figure></div></div><p class="topic-paragraph">A descendant of the <span id="ref1271137"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/plant/Bo-tree" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Bodhi tree</a> under which the Buddha is said to have sat until he attained enlightenment stands <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="adjacent" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/adjacent" data-type="MW">adjacent</a> to the temple. Ashoka’s stone slab purporting to mark the exact position where the Buddha sat is traditionally called the Buddha’s <em>vajrasana</em> (literally “diamond throne” or “thunder seat”). Stone railings surround the temple as well as the Bodhi tree. One of the most famous of Ashoka’s many pillars (on which he had engraved his edicts and his understanding of religious doctrine) stands at the southeast corner of the temple.</p><a class="link-module shadow-sm d-block qa-quiz-module" href="/quiz/explore-india" data-link-module-iframe-link=""> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/46/171646-131-D436A0E1/Chandigarh-Statuettes-folk-artist-sculpture-park-Rock.jpg" alt="Chandigarh. Statuettes at the Rock Garden of Chandigarh a sculpture park in Chandigarh, India, also known as Nek Chand's Rock Garden. Created by Nek Chand Saini an Indian self taught artist. visionary artist, folk artist, environmental art" class="rounded-sm mr-15" width="70" /> <div class="line-clamp clamp-5"> <div class="module-title bg-green">Britannica Quiz</div> <div class="font-weight-semi-bold mt-5">Explore India Quiz</div> </div> </a><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The 4.8-hectare (11.9-acre) complex also includes ancient shrines and modern structures built by Buddhist devotees. It was recognized as a <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/UNESCO" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">UNESCO</a> <span id="ref1174974"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/World-Heritage-site" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">World Heritage site</a> in 2002.</p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="md-signature"><a href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</a></span> <span class="md-signature">This article was most recently revised and updated by <a href="/editor/Melissa-Petruzzello/9400228">Melissa Petruzzello</a>.</span><span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article></div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":1,"pageId":357832,"pageLength":255,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.130.14"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-130/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.130.14' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"C","adLeg":"C","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"MEDIUM","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":false} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

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Mahabodhi Temple | Description, History, & Facts | Britannica