The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site is in which of the following state?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The correct answer (Option 2) is Bihar.
Presented here is information regarding the Mahabodhi Temple and associated key facts, which are frequently asked in competitive examinations:
Mahabodhi Temple Complex
• Location: It is situated in Bodh Gaya, within the Gaya district of the state of Bihar.
• Religious Significance: It is one of the four most sacred sites in Buddhism. It is believed that it was at this very spot—beneath the 'Bodhi Tree'—that Lord Buddha attained Enlightenment.
• UNESCO Status: It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002.
• Architecture: The structure of the present-day temple is constructed primarily of bricks and stands as an exemplary specimen of post-Gupta era architecture.
Key Facts Related to Other Options:
• Haryana: Home to the renowned Jyotisar (Kurukshetra), where Lord Krishna delivered the teachings of the Gita.
• Punjab: The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar serves as the most prominent religious and cultural landmark here.
• Assam: The Kamakhya Devi Temple (Guwahati) and the Kaziranga National Park (a UNESCO site) are highly renowned attractions in this state.
Four Major Sites Associated with 'Buddha' (from an examination perspective):
1. Lumbini (Nepal): Birthplace.
2. Bodh Gaya (Bihar): Site of Enlightenment.
3. Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh): Site of the First Sermon (Dharmachakra Pravartana).
4. Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh): Mahaparinirvana (Death).