Great Buddha Statue, Bodhgaya – History, Darshan Timings
The Great Buddha monument is a massive monument situated in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, 1.5 km from Mahabodhi Temple and 1 km from Bodhgaya Bus Station. It is one of India’s tallest monuments and a popular destination on the country’s Buddhist circuit.
The Great Buddha Statue is by far the tallest and the first Buddha statue ever constructed in India, standing at almost 25 meters. In 1989, the XIV Dalai Lama dedicated the statue, which had begun construction in 1982. The amazing sculpture, which was carved out of red granite and sandstone, looks like Lord Buddha sitting on a lotus blossom in meditative stance. The statue includes over 20,000 metal Buddhas inside and is mostly hollow.
The serene atmosphere and the statue’s beauty draw thousands of visitors annually from all over the world. It is surrounded by ten smaller sculptures representing Buddha’s pupils. The statues of the other eight great disciples—Mahakassapa, Subhuti, Punna, Mahakaccana, Anuruddha, Upali, Rahula, and Ananda—were consecrated in 1996, while the statues of Sariputta and Mahamoggallana, two of the ten standing statues, were unveiled and dedicated in 1993. Similar to the Great Buddha Statue, the ten statues are composed of sandstone from Chunar, which is close to Benares.
It was created specifically for the devotees to propagate Gautama Buddha’s teachings and promote Buddhism. The main images of Daijokyo, the Eternal Shakyamuni Buddha, Visistacaritra, Anantacaritra, Visuddhacaritra, and Supratisthitacaritra, are also housed at the Daijokyo Buddhist Temple.
History of Great Buddha Statue, Bodhgaya
The Japanese Daijokyo sect provided funding for the Great Buddha Statue, which was designed by Buddhist monks in Japan. The building was finished in 1989, having started in 1982. His Holiness the Dalai Lama attended the grand unveiling and dedicated the statue by planting the revered Bodhi tree behind it. This statue, which is made of red granite and sandstone, depicts the Buddha sitting in the Earth Touching Mudra, which represents the moment of enlightenment.
Best Time to Visit the Great Buddha Statue, Bodh Gaya
One of the holiest places for Buddhists worldwide is the Great Buddha Statue at Bodh Gaya, Bihar. Standing eighty feet tall, the statue is a stunning depiction of the Buddha in a meditative pose. October through March is the best time of year to explore this peaceful location. Bodh Gaya experiences nice weather throughout these months, with milder temperatures between 10°C and 25°C, which makes it suitable to tour the area and practise meditation. Additionally, Bodh Gaya receives a large influx of pilgrims and tourists during these months, offering a rare chance to observe religious and cultural rituals.
How to reach Great Buddha Statue, Bodh Gaya?
Bodh Gaya has excellent rail and road connections to India’s largest cities. Gaya International Airport, which is roughly 17 kilometres distant, is the closest airport. To get to the location from Gaya, you can utilise local transit or hire a cab. Long-distance bus and train connections are also available to Bodh Gaya.
Timings: 7 AM – 12 PM & 2 PM – 6 PM
Entry: Free
Nearby Places to Visit