| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Supreme Court refused to entertain a plea challenging the Bodh Gaya Temple Act, 1949. |
| Act Overview | Regulates administration of Mahabodhi Temple, ensures shared management between Hindus and Buddhists post-Independence. |
| Mahabodhi Temple | Built by Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE), located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, where Buddha attained enlightenment. |
| Key Structures | Includes Bodhi tree, Vajrasana (Diamond Throne), Shikhara, Chaitya niches, Lotus Pond, and votive stupas. |
| Historical Timeline | - 5th-6th century CE: Current brick temple constructed (Late Gupta period). - 629 AD: Visited by Hiuen Tsang. - 13th century: Decline after Bakhtiyar Khilji's invasion. - 1590: Hindu monk established Bodh Gaya Math, transferring control. |
| UNESCO Status | Declared a World Heritage Site; complex includes 50m temple, six sacred sites, and Bodhi tree. |
| Gautama Buddha | - Born 563 BC in Lumbini, Sakya Kshatriya clan. - Renounced royalty at 29, achieved enlightenment at 35 under Bodhi tree. - First sermon at Sarnath (Dharmachakra Pravartana). - Died at 80 (483 BC) in Kushinagar (Mahaparinirvana). |
| Key Figures | Sujata (offered rice milk), Kanthaka (horse), Channa (charioteer), Devadatta (cousin). |
Contact Counsellor