Bodhgaya is the sacred place where, under the Bodhi Tree, Gautama attained supreme knowledge and became Budhha - the 'Enlighted One'. This place is rightfully called, 'A land blessed by Buddha's touch'. It is a sacred pilgrimage place for both Buddhists and Hindus. Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya, under the Bodhi tree, 10 km from Gaya, the ancient Hindu pilgrimage centre. The tree from the original sapling still stands in the temple premises.  

The magnificent Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya showcases many centuries of cultures and hermits that came to pay their homage here. Inscriptions describe visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and China between 7th and 10th century AD. It is perhaps the same temple Hiuen Tsang visited in 7th century.

Several centuries after Buddha, the Mauryan emperor Ashoka (234-198 BC) contributed tremendously towards the revival, consolidation and spread of the original religion. It is the monasteries Ashoka built, for the Buddhist monks and the pillars erected to commemorate innumerable historical events associated with the Buddha’s life, mostly intact to this day, that helped scholars and pilgrims to trace the life events and preachings of a truly extraordinary soul.