Vishnupad and Mahabodhi Temples

Source- This post on the Vishnupad and Mahabodhi Temples has been created based on the article “Bihar’s Vishnupad and Mahabodhi temples, for which corridor projects were announced” published in “The Hindu” on 25 July 2024.

Recently, the finance minister announced during her Union Budget speech that corridor projects will be built for the Vishnupad Temple in Gaya and the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, both located in Bihar.

About Vishnupad Temple

1. Location: The Vishnupad Temple is situated in Bihar, on the banks of the Falgu River. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

2. The temple was built in 1787 on the orders of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar of Ahmadnagar.

3. Architecturally, the temple is around 100 feet tall and has 44 pillars.

4. Cultural Significance:  Devotees visit the temple during Pitra Paksh, a period in the Hindu calendar when people take part in rituals to remember their ancestors.

About Mahabodhi Temple

1. Location: The Mahabodhi Temple is located in Bodh Gaya, central Bihar, on the banks of the Niranjana River.

2. Historical Background:

i) The temple stands to the east of the Mahabodhi Tree, where Gautam Buddha is believed to have attained nirvana.

ii) The Mahabodhi Temple Complex was first built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd century B.C. The present temple dates back to the 5th–6th centuries.

3. Architecture:

i) The temple has a unique shape and a height of 170 feet.

ii) It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick from the late Gupta period.

iii) This temple is considered to have had significant influence on the development of brick architecture over the centuries.

4. The Mahabodhi Temple was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

UPSC Syllabus: Art and architecture