Mahabodhi Temple: This is a Buddhist temple where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment or nirvana. 250 years later, Emperor Ashoka visited this place and established this shrine which is now one of the earliest temples in India which is built entirely in brick that still stands. The place was conquered by Turkish invaders and the Mahabodhi temple was mostly abandoned in the 13th century. However it was later repaired and restored in the 1880’s by Alexander Cunningham.
The architectural style of the Mahabodhi Temple is truly unique since it is one of the oldest brick temples in India; however it underwent heavy restoration in the 19th century. The central tower of the temple is 55 meters tall and there are four smaller towers that surround the central edifice. The surroundings of the temple are made by using stone railings; some are granite while others are sandstone. Carvings of Hindu gods and goddesses such as Laxmi, the goddess of wealth being bathed by elephants adorn these stones. The temple also contains carvings of lotuses and the newer railings have carvings of Garudas (eagles).
Khuva boonchum Tai Temple, Buddhagaya
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