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Bodhi Temple

Having religious importance to the Buddhists, Bodhgaya lies 13 km south of Gaya, beside the river Phalgu. It was Bodhgaya where Lord Buddha sat under a peepal (Ficus religiosa) tree and attained nirvana or enlightenment. The descendant of that original tree still flourishes there today. This small and calm town is the most venerated sites in the world.

The founder of Buddhism, Lord Buddha's life is associated to this small town of Bodhgaya. Among the four holiest cities of Buddhist faith, Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrim center. It is also an important center for the study of Buddhism.Places associated with the life and times of Lord Buddha are located inside the Mahabodhi temple complex including the Bodhi Tree and a pond where it is believed that Lord Buddha mediated for few days.

The history of this small town is related to the origin and the history of Buddhism. Bodhgaya came into limelight in 6th century BC, when a local prince Siddharth (also known as Gautam), who left all material possession to practice rigorous penances for years and attained Enlightenment or Nirvana under a Bodhi (Bo) tree here. The Enlightened Gautam now became Buddha (The Enlightened One) and spread his message of love and peace. To mark the spot where Gautam Buddha had attained Enlightenment, the great Mauryan ruler King Ashoka built a small shrine here in the 3rd century BC. Following rulers left their mark on this shrine, thus it finally took the shape of the Mahabodhi temple that still stands tall

Major Temples in North India
	Akshar Dham		Kashi Vishwanath Temple
	Bahai Temple		Khajuraho Temples
	Baijnath Temple		Lotus Temple
	Birla Mandir		Naina Devi Temple
	Bodhi Temple		Omkareshwar Temple
	Chattarpur Mandir		Shankracharya Temple
	Dilwara Temple		Somnath Temple
	Dwarkadhish Temple		Sun Temple - Konark
	Eklingji Temple		Sun Temple - Modhera
	Golden Temple		Vaishno Devi
	Jwalamukhi Temple