Bodhgaya is located in the district of Gaya, Bihar. Bodhgaya is the most sacred place for Buddhist religion. The Archeological museum of Bodhgaya was set up in 1956 to preserve the sculptures and valuable antiques of the area. The museum is divided into two galleries.
These two galleries mainly display bronze and stone sculptures of Buddhist and Brahmanical faith of Pala period, scenes related to Buddhist pantheon, Surya, Zodiac signs on railings of Sunga age, etc. Sculptures of standing Yakshi figure having elaborate coiffure, crowned Buddha in Bhumisparsamudra, Maiterya, images of Buddha in different attitude, standing image of Manjusri, terracotta plaque depicting Buddha in Bhumisparshmudra, railing pillar depicting Surya, panel showing Sahasra Buddha, copper antimony rod, miniature pot are preserved in the first gallery.
The second gallery displays the sculptures of Sapta matrika, Dikpalas, Dasavatara of Lord Vishnu. The open courtyard of the museum consists of railing pillars, cross bars and copingstones. There are two long verandahs in the museum, which exhibit a big image of standing Buddha in abhayamudra, varaha incarnation of Lord Vishnu, etc. The Museum is open on all days from 10.00 am to 5.00 Pm except Friday.
