
#5 Globally
βΈοΈ 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





