The Place Where Gautam Buddha Attained Enlightenment
The Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar’s Bodhgaya is believed to be the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. It was here that sitting under a peepal tree that young prince Siddhartha (who later became Gautam Buddha) attained all the answers he sought after three days and three nights of meditation.
Built by emperor Ashoka in 260 BC, the Mahabodhi temple complex is one of the first Buddhist temples to be built entirely of brick. Being one of eastern India’s oldest brick structures, its architecture has been widely appreciated.
The temple complex was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in June 2002. Since then, all of its religious artifacts are legally protected.
