Great Buddha Statue

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Ten minute walk from the main temple is the Great Buddha Statue. It is called the 80 feet image. It was made by the Japanese and is akin to the Great Buddha Statue in Japan - noticed that whilst doing a google search. Made in 1989.

Taken from the gate. Nice row of trees lead one to the image. These trees were not there earlier as some images show.

Board inside the complex is self-explainatory.

Buddha image is kept on a platform as you can see. Buddha in Dhyan mudra. Note the electricity wires in the background - spoils the background. Wish they realign it.

A close up view of the Buddha image.

A close up of Buddha face.

Buddha hands in Dhyan Mudra.

On either side of the image are statues of Buddha disciples. These images are on left of statue and represent Ananda, Sariputra, Punna, Mahakaccana and Rahula.

These images are on right of statue and represent Subhuti, Upali, Mahakassapa, Mahamoggallana and Anuruddha.

After meditating for six years at Pragbodhi Caves (whose pics u shall see later) Buddha had gone very weak. He came close to Bodhgaya where he was given milk-rice by Sujata, daughter of the village chief. Must visit for devout Buddhists.

Stupa was made to perpetuate the memory of Sujata is 11m from the ground level. Several plaques of the Buddha in bhumisparsha-mudra, made probably of plaster and light in weight were found near the damaged top of the stupa. The stupa was built in 3 stages. Pradakshina-path made up of baked bricks was in earliest stage. Then diameter n height of stupa was increased. At that stage a 5m wide pradakshina-path of thick lime plaster was added. In the last atage a wall enclosure of backed brick covered by lime plaster, railings and gateways were provided.

This is the point where Sujata offerred Buddha milk-rice. There is a small temple that you can see.

A short drive from Bodhgaya takes you to Pragbodhi Caves in Dungeshwari Hills. It is quite a climb. Fortunately most part of the path is a cement road. Sponsorship details are on this board.

It is about a 15-20 minute walk. You see Vietnamese devotees walking up. There is a small temple there maintained by Tibetan monks and a cave where Buddha meditated.

Lankan and Vietnamese make their way up to the cave. You climb up stairs, turn left and then right.

Sri Lankan devotees entering the cave. Some photo descriptions taken from Bodhgaya Tourist Guide published by Surendra Educational Aids Gaya.

It was pitch dark inside the cave, clicked in the dark. You see image of Buddha. It shows him very thin and weak, can see his ribs. He meditated her for 6 years in search of peace and happiness.

This is one of the boards inside the Bodhgaya temple complex that has Buddha teachings.

All roads lead to Bodhgaya temple where Buddha attained enlightenment. This is a close up view of the temple.

This is the Vishnupad Temple in Gaya. In 1787 Queen Ahilya Bai built the Vishnu temple on the banks of river Falgu. Ahilya Bai also built a temple at Somnath and a ghat at Kashi. She made temples at key places associated with Sanatan Dharam. To see pics of Bodh Gaya Temple 1 click here

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