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Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is a Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, located about 96 km from Patna, in the state of Bihar, India. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of Enlightenment. The Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya is a sacred place where Buddha, while seated under the Bodhi Tree, attained enlighten at the age of 35. The first temple was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing in India, from the late Gupta period. This is the hallowed spot where the ascetic Prince Siddhartha attained Enlightenment to become the Buddha, and thereafter pledged his life to deliver mankind from the cycle of suffering and rebirth. Bodh Gaya is a sacred place where he attained the supreme and perfect insight to become the Buddha, and thereafter pledged his life to deliver mankind from the cycle of suffering and rebirth. The Mahabodhi Temple is a living monument where people from all over the world even today throng to offer their reverential prayers to the Buddha. Mahabodhi Temple is constructed of brick and is one of the oldest brick structures to have survived in eastern India. It is considered to be a fine example of Indian brickwork, and was highly influential in the development of later architectural traditions. The temple is one of the earliest structures built entirely in brick and is believed to be from the late Gupta period. Mahabodhi Temple’s central tower is 55 meters high and is surrounded on all four sides by stone railings which are two meters high. The railings reveal two distinct types, both in style as well as the materials used. The older ones, made of sandstone, date to about 150 BC, and have scenes such as Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth, being bathed by elephants; and Surya, the Hindu Sun God, riding a chariot drawn by four horses. And the others, constructed from unpolished coarse granite, are believed to be of the Gupta period and the newer railings have figures of stupas and garudas (eagles). Images of lotus flowers also appear commonly. World Heritage Site IndiaAgra Fort | Ajanta Caves | Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi | Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park | Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus | Churches and Convents of Goa| The Elephant Caves | Ellora Caves | Fatehpur Sikri | Great Living Chola TemplesGroup of Monuments at Hampi | Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram | Group of Monuments at Pattadakal | Humanyun’s Tomb, Delhi | Khajuraho Group of Monuments | Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodh Gaya | Mountain Railways of India The Qutab Minar and its Monuments | Red Fort Complex | Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka Sun Temple, Konârak | Taj Mahal, Agra | Natural |