Why does Bodh Gaya Celebrate Bodh Mahotsav? Recall the History of the Enlightenment

Located in the Gaya district, Bodh Gaya is a religious town in the northern Indian state of Bihar. Historically famous as Uruvela, Sambodhi, Vajrasana, or Mahabodhi, it is the most significant voyage for the followers of Buddhism. It is located west of the Ganges (Ganga) River's tributary, the Phalgu River. Among all the four pilgrimage sites (Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath), Bodh Gaya is dedicated to lord buddha and fetches all the attention of the followers of Buddhism. Bodh Gaya is considered to be the holiest site in Buddhism.  

Bodh Gaya is the city where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. According to Buddhist scriptures, Gautam Buddha (563 BCE-483 BCE ) came to Gaya in search of answers to his questions and started doing meditation sitting under famous Bodhi tree. Over some time, he received Buddhatva or enlightenment on the full moon day, and since then the full moon in the month of Vaisakh is also known as Buddha Purnima. Gaya remained the center of a Buddhist civilization for many centuries, but in the 13th century, the Turks established their suzerainty here. References to Gaya, documented in history, can be found in the accounts of the Chinese pilgrims, Faxian and Xuanzang.

 

The famous Bodh Mahotsav, which has the status of a state function, is also organized in Bodh Gaya at Kalchakra. One of the most prominent annual celebrations in the Gaya district, Bihar, This event is observed to spread and emphasize the significance of Buddhist teachings and beliefs. Artists from all over the country and abroad perform at this festival. It has immense importance among the followers of Buddhism as it arranges Buddhist circuits in one place.

Although many places in Bodh Gaya attract visitors throughout the year, the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands out among all. The Mahabodhi Temple is the place where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment while sitting and meditating under a tree and was called Mahatma. The tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment is known as the Bodhi tree and even today people are found meditating under it.

Apart from this, the Vishnupad Temple, the bodhi tree, Dungeshwari Cave temples, and of course, the Jama Masjid also attracts a lot of people. The 80 ft statue of the Buddha, the tallest Buddha statue in India, was consecrated on November 18, 1989, by the 14th Dalai Lama and is one of the major attractions in India. Lotus Tank, Buddha Kund, Chinese Temple & Monastery, Burmese Temple, Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, Rajayatana, Brahm Yoni, International Buddhist House, Japanese Temple, Thai Temple and Monastery, Tibetan Monastery and an archaeological museum are some other places in Bodh Gaya which hold significant space in Buddhism.