Great Buddha Statue, Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya, Bihar
The Great Buddha Statue at Bodh Gaya, also called the 80 feet Buddha, is a tall statue of the Buddha seated in meditation, set among gardens near the Mahabodhi Temple. It was consecrated by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1989, and it is one of the best-known modern monuments of Bodh Gaya. The statue is of sandstone and red granite, in a calm garden with ponds, with monasteries from several Buddhist countries around it.
What to see and do
- See the huge seated Buddha, with its calm, meditating pose
- Walk in the quiet gardens and ponds around the statue
- Visit the monasteries of Thailand, Japan, Bhutan, Tibet and other countries nearby
- See the statue lit at dusk, if you are there in the evening
Ideal for
- Buddhist pilgrims and visitors of every faith
- Travellers who like a short, easy sightseeing stop
- Families and elders, as the ground is flat
Good to know
- Reports give the statue as about 80 feet tall, consecrated in 1989 by the 14th Dalai Lama, so check details locally
- Timings and any entry fee are not confirmed, so check locally
- Dress modestly, and keep quiet near the statue
- The monasteries nearby keep their own hours, so check them on the day
- Allow about 45 minutes to 1 hour
Spiritual significance
The Great Buddha Statue is the modern face of Bodh Gaya, a place for quiet reflection beside the old Mahabodhi Temple. It stands for the many Buddhist countries that have built monasteries here.
Why it matters
- An 80 feet Buddha: the largest statue of the Buddha in Bodh Gaya
- A modern landmark: consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1989
- Near the monasteries: a short walk from several Buddhist temples