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The four most holy places for Buddhists are in South Asia: Lumbini, where the Buddha was born; Bodh Gaya, where he gained enlightenment; Sarnath, where he pronounced his first teachings; and Kushinagara, where he died and attained final nirvana. As a result, Buddhists from around the world journey-sometimes several times-to these four holy sites.
As the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment, Bodh Gaya is a highly revered place attracting multitudes of pilgrims. The seminal event occurred in the shade of a p/pa/ tree (called the Bodhi Tree), a major destination for pilgrims.
As the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment, Bodh Gaya is a highly revered place attracting multitudes of pilgrims. The seminal event occurred in the shade of a tree (called the Bodhi Tree), a major destination for pilgrims. Commemorating this sacred place is the Mahabodhi Temple, with its several statues.
Those sculpted in local black stone by Gupta artists in the fourth through sixth centuries are significant, but a particularly famous statue of the Buddha dates from the Pala dynasty (8th–12th century). Also, within this temple are many tsha-tsha, figurines or miniature Stupas made from clay. Additional ornamentation is seen in the sandstone railings that line the circumambulation path, some of which date to the first century BCE.
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