SPIRITUAL PLACE VISIT BODH GAYA INDIA 

In this post we will tell you about one of the spiritual place of India which is near Patna Bihar and is known as BODH GAYA. 

BODH GAYA 

Bodh Gaya is situated about 12 km south from Gaya district near the river Niranjana now known as Phalgu. Bodh Gaya is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres since it was under the Bo tree here that Goutam, attained enlightenment to become the Buddha after did severe penance for 49 days. 

There is disagreement among historians as to when lord Buddha attained enlightenment here but most scholars believe that the time of his enlightenment was 588 BC and the time of his birth to be 623 BC. 

Construction work has been going on in Bodh Gaya since the time Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Currently, construction work is available at important sites related to Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Vajrasana, Chakraman Sthal and the time where Buddha spent several weeks here. 

MAHABODHI TEMPLE 

This temple is about 170 feet high and about 50 feet wide at the base. It is pyramid shaped like a tower. Its entrance is in the east direction. There are towers at the four corners of the base of the temple which are miniature replicas of the temple itself. 

The Mahabodhi Temple was first built by the Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC, and the present temple dates from the 5th century or 6th century AD. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing in India. 

A grandly carved torana or stairway leads from the main entrance, to the Mahabodhi Temple, which is the most magnificient building in the complex, and a World Heritage site. 

BODHI TREE 

The original Bodhi Tree was said to have been destroyed by Asoka before he was converted, and others which replaced it also died, although the present tree, is believed to have grown from a sapling from the original stock. 

A story describes that a sapling carried to Sri Lanka when Buddhism spread there, which in turn produced a sapling which was brought back to Bodh Gaya. 

The red sandstone slab called Vajrasan under the tree marks the place where Goutam sat in meditation. Today pilgrims tie pieces of coloured cloth on its branches when they come to pray. 

ANIMESHLOCHANA 

Animeshlochana is another sacred spot where the Buddha stood to gaze in gratitude at the Bodhi tree for a week.This stupa is in the courtyard of the temple towards the north-east and is made of bricks, some of which have artworks on them, among which there is also a Buddha statue. 

CHAKRAMAN 

The Lord spent the third week doing parikrama. It is a platform on the north side of the temple which bears the footprints of the Lord which are represented by lotus flowers.   

BUDDHA STATUE 

One of the most striking images in Bodhgaya, is a giant 80 ft statue of Buddha, in the gorgeously peaceful ‘Dhyani Mudra’ pose. 

The Bodhgaya Archaelogical Museum is a treasure-trove These buildings are unique because they reflect the architectural style of their respective countries. The statue of Buddha in the Chinese temple is 200 years old and was brought from China. Japan’s Nippon temple is shaped like a pagoda, as also the Myanmmar temple, which resembles its famous Bagan temple. The Thai temple has golden tiles,and a massive bronze statue of Buddha. 

In the above post we provide you little glimps about spiritual places and monasteries in places to visit in india, these spiritual places and monasteries are located in district Gaya of Bihar state in India.  

 

SPIRITUAL PLACES NEAR LEH LADAKH IN INDIA

In this post, we will  take you to the spiritual places in places to visit in India  along Srinagar road near Leh Ladakh in India. 

SPITUK 

This monastery is 8 km from Leh. The monastery with three chaples here was founded in 11th century but the buildings, in a series of tiers with courtyards date from the 15th century. 

This is the seat of the head Lama. The long 16th-17th century Du-khang is the largest building and has two rows of seats the lenghth of the walls to a thorne at the far end. Sculptures and miniature chortens are displayed on the altar. Spituk has a collection of ancient Jelbagh masks, icons and arms including some rescued from the Potala Palace in Lhasa.    

MAHAKAL TEMPLE 

Situated higher up the hill contains a shrine of Vajra bhairava, often mistaken for the goddess Kali. The terrifying face is only unveiled once a year in Jan during the festival. Vajra bhairava is one of the very few structures in Ladakh which is built to please a tantric deity who had great powers. 

The chambers of this Vajra bhairava is covered with ancient paintings which depict myths and legends associated with this shrine. Some of the pictures are of a terrifying nature and they are very different from colorful yet inocent depictions found in Gompas in Ladakh.  

PHYANG 

It is 16 km from Leh. It belongs to the Red Hat Kagyupa sect, with its 16th century Gouon monastery built by the founder of the Namgyal dynasty. It houses hundreds of statues including some Kashmiri bronzes, thanglus and manuscript copies of the Kangyur and Tengyur, temple walls have colour painting centering on the eight emblems of happiness which have been restored.  

This monastery is one of the earliest monasteries in Ladakh belonging to Drigungpa school. After the monastery was built, it specialised in drigung teachings. 

BASGO 

The road passes through Basgo village with the ruins of a Buddhist citadel impressively sited on a spur overlooking the Indus Valley. It served as a royal residence for several periods between the 15th and 17th centuries. 

Basgo embedded in the early days of Ladakh and is frequently mentioned in the Ladhaki Chronicles when it was a political and cultural centre. 

The monastery is situated on top of the hill towering over the ruins of the ancient town and is noted for its Buddha statue and murals.   

Among the ruins only two temples have survived. The higher Maitreya Temple in which Maitreya statue is at the rear of the hall, flanked by Bodhisatvas. Some murals from the early period illustrating the Tibetan Buddhist style have also survived on the walls and ceiling. 

The second one is the Serzang Temple with a carved doorway contains another large Maitreya image whose head rises through the ceiling into a windowed boxlike structure which can be seen by climbing up to the gallery above. 

In the above post we provide you little glimps about spiritual places and monasteries in places to visit in india, these spiritual places and monasteries are located in Leh Ladakh.     

  

 

Monasteries located near Manali Himachal Pradesh 

In this post, we will  take you to the monasteries in places to visit in India  along Manali highway in Himachal Pradesh in India.  

Choglamsar 

On the approach to Stok is a green oasis with poplars and willows where there are golf links and a polo ground as well as horticulture nurseries. The Central Institute of Buddhist Studies is here with a specialist library. Past the Tibetan Refugee Camps, Childern's village and the Arts and Crafts Centre, the Choglamsar Bridge crosses the Indus. 

According to one theory the name Choglamsar means "the place where path turns" because at this point the road Leh Manali highway leaves the valley of the Indus which it followed to head north towards the city of Leh.   

Stok 

13 km S of Leh on the W bank is the royal palace dating from the 1840s when the king of Ladakh was deposed by the invading Dogra forces. 

The palace is a rambling building where only a dozen of the 80 rooms are used. The small Palace Museum is worth visiting. It is a showpiece for the royal thangkas many 400 years old, crown, jewels, dresses, coins, peraks encrusted with turquoise and lapis lazuli as well as religious objects. 

There is an archery contest here. The gompa a short distance away, has some ritual dance maskes. The three hour walk up the valley behind Stok takes you to some extraordinary mountain scenery domonated by the 6121m high Stok Kangri. 

Shey 

Until the 16th century, Shey was the royal residence, located at an important vantage point in the Indus Valley. Kings of Leh were supposed to be born in the monastery. Shey, along with Thikse, is also regarded as an auspicious place for cremation. 

Most of the palace and the fort high above it have fallen into disrepair though the soot covered wall paintings in the palace have now been restored. The palace gompa with its 17.5m high blue haired Maitrey Buddha is attended by Drukpa monks from Hemis. 

Thikse 

It is one of the most imposing monasteries in Ladhak and was part of the original Gelugpa order in the 15th century. The complex of this monastery contains numerous stupas, statues, wall paintings, swords and a large pillar engraved with the Buddha's teachings.   

The new temple interior is dominated by a giant Buddha statue near the entrance. The assembly hall of the building has holes in the walls for storing religious text, good views from roof. 

Stakna 

Across the valley on a hill is the earliest Drukpa monastery which was built before Hemis, though its decorations are not ancient. It is also called 'Tigers nose' because of the shape of the hill site. This small but well kept monastery has a beautiful silver gilt chorten in the Assembly Hall. 

There are some intrersting paintings in the dark temple at the back. there are excellent views of the Indus Valley and the Zanskar range.   

Hemis 

This monastery built on a green hillside surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery. The Drukpa monastery was founded by Stagsang Raspa during the reign of Senge Namgyal. This monastery is situated in Hemis on the bank of river Indus. Hemis village is situated 40 km SE of Leh.   

In the above post we provide you little glimps about monasteries in places to visit in india, these monasteries are located near Manali / Leh highway in Himachal Pradesh.