Buddha Statue inside temple

Bodhgaya Mahabodhi Temple

The Mahabodhi  temple is one of the best place on earth; well at least for me and a few thousand Buddhist.
Here are some photos taken today that will give a wee taste  of the park in which Buddha gained enlightenment. The temple lay in ruins for many years because Buddhism had  almost died out in India. However when Tibetans came into India in early 60's they revived the notion of pilgrimage to holy sites and started to renovate the park.  I have been told by some older Tibetans that many stupas and statues lay broken in the ground, that the site was used by the locals as a rubbish pit and that cows and pigs wandered around the park. Today it is beautiful and there is a strong positive energy which has to come from decades of strong prayers being said in this space. The statue of Buddha inside the temple is truly gorgeous. I swear I have seen this statue in many different moods, this year he seems very happy in meditation. Ok it is maybe a trick of the light  or a new layer of paint that changes to facial expression or maybe my mind is in some way trying to communicate with a higher self through this Buddha image; or maybe I am just mad!: but it is a beautiful statue.
Nowadays there are constant prayers festival under the Bodhi tree from mid November until mid Feb which is the winter season and best weather for being Bihar. Certain time are busier than others and just now it is relatively quiet but still busy.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahabodhi_Temple
For some years now there have been rumours about this site becoming a UNESCO site but this would be horrible because it would then have to be excavated and also we would be charge to practice our religion. Some say it is already a world heritage site but there is alot of confusion as to its status so who knows for sure; http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1056      http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_whs_mahabodhi.asp

Blessing stone under the Bodhi Tree

Small shrine

Lay & ordained people from West Bengal do prayers under tree

Entrance to Mahabodhi temple

Mahabodhi Temple

Thia pilgrims meditate under the Bodhi Tree

Offering prostrations

Mandala and outer offerings under the Bodhi Tree

In meditation

Lay people under Bodhi tree

.