Mahabodhi temple was built by Emperor Ashoka. It provides exceptional records for the events associated with the life of Lord Buddha. One of the holiest of holy pilgrim places for the Buddhists of the world is Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya. This temple complex is India`s latest addition to UNESCO`s list of World Cultural Heritage sites and one of the four holy sites directly related to the life of the Buddha.

The Vajrasan or Diamond Throne lying between the Bodhi Tree and the temple marks the actual spot of Buddha`s great Enlightenment. A magnificent gilded image of Buddha`s footsteps is placed in the wall of the temple, and so are his footsteps carved in stone.

History of Mahabodhi temple
Regarding the temple construction there are various theories. Some believe that the Mahabodhi Vihara was built by Asoka. This theory was also supported by Fahien. It can be safely said that the Mahabodhi Vihara appears to have come into existence sometime after Fahien`s visit.

Emperor Ashoka built Vajrasana in the third century and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples, in the Indian subcontinent that is built entirely in brick, still standing in India, from the late Gupta period. Even the Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang who came here in A.D. 637 gave a vivid description of the temple at that time. Much of this ancient glory has been lost however and what exists of the temple today is a result of repairs and renovations since Emperor Ashoka`s time.

Architecture of Mahabodhi temple
The magnificent Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya is an architectural amalgamation of many cultures. The temple is one of the few representations of the architectural genius of the Indian people in constructing fully developed brick temples in that era. The site of the Mahabodhi Temple provides exceptional records for the events associated with the life of Buddha and subsequent worship, particularly since Emperor Asoka built the first temple, the balustrades and the memorial column. The sculpted stone balustrades are an outstanding early example of sculptural reliefs in stone.

The Mahabodhi Temple built on the east of the sacred tree stands majestically 170 feet high on a base 50 feet square, and consists of a soaring 54 meters high pyramidal tower surmounted by a stupa and an ornamental arch way at the entrance. The temple carries inscriptions recording the visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, China and Myanmar. It has an image of Buddha signifying the pose of enlightenment. The entrance of the temple has an ornamental archway. The south side of the temple has a lotus pond. On the walls of the temple one can see Buddha carved in different aspects, and in the sanctum sanctorum, a colossal Buddha, is seen touching the ground, which has mythological significance in the Buddhist teachings.

People believe that the platform below the Bodhi tree where Buddha meditated is the center of the universe. The platform is called Vajrasana (a red stone slab). The platform has a stone carving of his footsteps where the devout make flower offerings. Then there is `Chaukramana`, the Jewel Walk, where it is believed that the Buddha strolled while in deep thought and `Animeshlochana` is the sacred spot where Buddha stood to gaze in gratitude at the Bodhi tree for a week.

Bodh Gaya is also known as the Mahabodhi Vihara. There are four towers at the four corners which are similar to the main tower in the middle. One can go to the shrine there is a vaulted passage. The shrine has a massive image of the Buddha in a sitting posture. The statue is made of black stone. It is considered that the image has been set up in the very position where Lord Buddha sat determined not to get up until he had obtained supreme Enlightenment.

The temple is around 170 feet high on a 48 feet square base. There are numerous niches around the temple. There are also beautiful engravings and fine sculptured images of the Buddha in the temple.