Part of: Bihar Gk set 5

..... is a place of piligrimage for bhuddhist situated in Gaya, Bihar.

Category: Bihar Gk

Hint: Consider the historical significance of the place where Buddha attained enlightenment.

Correct Answer: B) Bhodhgaya

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, Bank PO, State PSC

Difficulty: Easy

Explanations:

Bodh Gaya is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site located in the Gaya district of Bihar, India. It is one of the four main pilgrimage sites associated with the life of the Buddha, the others being Lumbini (birthplace), Sarnath (where he gave his first sermon), and Kushinagar (where he attained parinirvana). Bodh Gaya is particularly important because it is the place where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.

The site of Bodh Gaya is centered around the Mahabodhi Temple, which houses the Bodhi Tree. The Bodhi Tree is a sacred fig tree that is believed to be a direct descendant of the original tree under which the Buddha meditated and attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of the most sacred places in Buddhism.

The history of Bodh Gaya dates back to the 6th century BCE when the Buddha attained enlightenment. Over the centuries, the site has been a center of Buddhist learning and practice. The Mahabodhi Temple itself was built in the 7th century CE and has been a focal point for Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. The temple complex includes several other important structures, such as the Vajrasana (the seat of enlightenment), the Animeshlocha Stupa (where the Buddha is said to have spent seven days looking at the Bodhi Tree), and the Ratnachakradhavajra Stupa (where the Buddha is said to have spent another seven days meditating).

While Sarnath is also an important Buddhist site, it is located in Uttar Pradesh and is not the place where Buddha attained enlightenment. Sarnath is known for being the site where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is Bhodhgaya, as it is the place of pilgrimage for Buddhists located in Gaya, Bihar.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Sarnath is incorrect. While it is an important Buddhist site, it is located in Uttar Pradesh and is not the place where Buddha attained enlightenment. Sarnath is known for being the site of Buddha's first sermon.
  • Option B: Bhodhgaya is correct. It is the place where Buddha attained enlightenment and is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists located in Gaya, Bihar.
  • Option C: This option is incorrect because only one of the sites is the correct answer. Sarnath is not located in Gaya, Bihar, and is not the place where Buddha attained enlightenment.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect because Bhodhgaya is indeed a place of pilgrimage for Buddhists located in Gaya, Bihar.

Mnemonic: Bodh Gaya: Buddha's enlightenment

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