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Bodh Gaya (Mahabodhi Temple)
#5 Globally

☸️ Bodh Gaya (Mahabodhi Temple)

India

About This Sacred Site

Bodh Gaya is the most sacred site in Buddhism, where Prince Siddhartha Gautama sat under the Bodhi Tree and attained enlightenment around 528 BCE, becoming the Buddha. The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, marks this exact spot. The temple complex includes a descendant of the original Bodhi Tree and is a major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from around the world. Monks and pilgrims from every Buddhist tradition gather here to meditate.

Key Facts

  • β€’UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2002
  • β€’The current Bodhi Tree is believed to be a direct descendant of the original
  • β€’The Mahabodhi Temple stands 55 meters tall
  • β€’Emperor Ashoka built the first temple here in the 3rd century BCE
  • β€’Buddhists from over 80 countries have built monasteries in Bodh Gaya

Location

Coordinates: 24.6961, 84.9911

Quick Info
Religion
Buddhism
Country
India
Established
c. 528 BCE
Annual Visitors
3+ million
Significance
The place where Buddhism was born through the Buddha's enlightenment
Coordinates
Lat: 24.6961
Lng: 84.9911
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