Bodhi tree

On the left of the Mahabodhi Temple lies the Bodhi tree, a central symbol in Buddhism. It marks the spot where the original Bodhi tree once stood, under which Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. For more than a month, Siddhartha (as Buddha was earlier called) meditated beneath a sacred fig tree in Bodhgaya. Every year on December 8, Buddhist followers across the world celebrate Bodhi Day, a celebration of Buddha’s enlightenment underneath the Bodhi tree. The present Bodhi tree is probably the fifth succession of the original tree. Surrounded by beautifully carved votive stupas, chaityas (Buddhist prayer halls) and several statues of Lord Buddha, one can find Buddhist monks sitting here in peace, reading or meditating. It is said that emperor Ashoka's daughter, Sanghamitta (or Sanghmitra), took a branch from the original Bodhi tree from Bodh Gaya to Sri Lanka, and planted it in the city of Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. That Bodhi tree is still alive and is supposedly the oldest continually documented tree in the world. The current Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya is believed to have been grown from a sapling brought from the one in Sri Lanka.

Bodhi tree

Rajayatana

Lord Buddha is said to have spent the seventh and last week of his meditation after enlightenment here. He also preached to passers-by from here and gave them eight strands of his hair, which are believed to be placed as relics at the Shwedagon Pagoda at Yangon.

Rajayatana

Muchalinda Sarovar

This is where Lord Buddha spent the sixth week after his enlightenment. It is said that as Buddha meditated here, a severe thunderstorm broke out, drenching him. The snake king of the lake, called Muchalinda, spread his hood over the head of Lord Buddha to protect him. Today, it has a statue of Buddha with the hood of a snake above his head. Muchalinda Sarovar faces south and comes after the Meditation Park, if one is walking in a clockwise direction around the premises.

Muchalinda Sarovar

Ajapala Nigrodha

Lord Buddha spent the fifth week of his meditation after enlightenment here. A stone pillar standing at the spot marks the Ajapala-Banyan tree. A brass bell is placed near the pillar and is said to have been donated by pilgrims from Myanmar in the 19th century.

Ajapala Nigrodha

Chankramana

This marks the sacred spot of Lord Buddha's meditative perambulations in the third week after his enlightenment. It is believed that wherever Lord Buddha stepped, a lotus bloomed. A raised structure with symbols of lotus flowers, known as Jewel promenade Shrines, has been put up to show where the flowers sprang up.

Chankramana

Ratanaghara

Ratanaghara is also called the Jewel House and is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha spent the fourth week in meditation. A ray of six colours is said to have originated from his body during this time and Buddhists have designed their flag in these colours.

Ratanaghara

Animesh Lochan Chaitya

It marks the spot where it is believed that Lord Buddha spent his second week after being enlightened, standing and gazing uninterruptedly at the Bodhi tree. This is one of the seven sacred spots within the boundary of the Mahabodhi Temple complex. These spots are believed to mark the places where Lord Buddha spent a week each meditating. The name 'Animesh Lochan Chaitya' translated literally means open eyes. It is also referred to as the Jewel Walk as many believe that Lord Buddha spent another week walking between Animesh Lochan Chaitya and Bodhi tree. Devotees make sure to visit this point while visiting Gaya.

Animesh Lochan Chaitya