Mahabodhi Temple , Bodh Gaya
Mahabodhi Temple , Bodhgaya :- A. The Temple :- In the 6 th century B.C prince Siddhartha Gautam attained the supreme enlightenment at this holy place and became the Buddha . In commemoration there of emperor Ashoka set up the Vajrasana ( Diamond Thorne) of polished sandstone representing the seat of enlightenment in the 3 rd century B.C. during the Sunga period (2 nd century B.C.) . A sandstone railing was erected around it . The present Mahabodhi temple was constructed in the 6 th century A.D. The temple underwent several restorations, renovations and repairs in subsequent periods in which the Burmese greatly contributed in 1883. A very thorough and scientific renovation of the temple was done under the supervision of the British Archaeologist Sir A Cunningham and J.D.M Beglar and the Indian Archaeologist Dr Rajendra Lal Mitra . Again in 1956 on the occasion of 2500 th Buddha Jayanti celebration, the government of India did some repair works and e