Stupas in Mahabodhi temple- Bodhgaya

The Mohabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya, is not only spiritual place for Buddhist , also an evidence of architecture wonder of Mourya dynasty. Its recognized as World Heritage Monuments in India. Stupas play very important role in Buddhism practice. Stupa in Sanskrit means heap. Some of the  major Stupas in India include, Sanchi Stupa, Mabodhi Stupa of Bodhgaya and  Dhamek Stupa of Sarnat. You can read about the details of Stupa here. The stupas are very significant in Buddhism. Its believed building a stupa is considered extremely beneficial in Buddhism.

 

   The main stupa has a beautiful idol of Buddha, and surrounding the main stupa there are many small stupas. If one goes round the main stupa, can find many devotees  engaged in meditation.

The different kind of the carvings on the stupas, attracted me the most.All the stupas have dome shaped structure with carved idols of Buddha.

This one was near the entrance , you can notice Buddha idols of different shapes on the Stupa.

 This is the closer view of the carvings. Some had carvings of very small idols of Buddha in many rows:

This stupa is in front of the Mahabodhi temple, this is small stupa with Buddha idol carved on it.

There are many such stupas in Mahabodhi temple , each telling story of Buddha and leading his devotees towards peace.

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana

each telling a story about the great Buddha

each telling a story about the great Buddha

Peacock design- carving on Mahabodhi temple

It has been quite sometimes that I had planned to share peacock designs. .  The perfect blend of enchanting colors o the peacock feather, and the pattern have made it used in many forms of arts and crafts.

Image courtesy- Wikipedia

 I had designed a saree using glitter paint  and a dress with peacock design.  I love to work for some more sarees with peacock designs. Almost all forms of Indian arts and crafts are influenced by peacock designs, may be its Rangoli, embroidery designs, jewel designs, mehandi designs, wood work or carvings in temples. Let me start the series of posts on peacock design with this carving on the walls  Mahabodhi temple of Bodhgaya.  

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On the outer walls of Mahabodhi temple  there is carvings of Buddha is different meditation postures. Below that the design of two peacocks heading each other is carved.
In another carving the design is  different , the two peacocks are holding a bead strand together.

Both have very beautiful peacock designs.I'm planning to use in my next project of embroidery. Will share the designs once it is completed. I feel it can be used in Rangolis and paintings too. What do you opine?

I will share many more peacock designs in coming posts, in the section: Mayuri

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana

Is it Ikebana?

Recently I visited Bodh Gaya temple. Its a pilgrimage place of Buddhists.  When I visited Bodh Gaya  , I could see  many disciples from all over the world. In that some devotees from Japan, were meditating in front of the Maha Bodhi Tree( where Budha attained enlightenment). Though they were in a group of 25-30, it was very calm there. What attracted me, was the flower arrangement made there.

 

Here are the closer view of the flower arrngement:

The combination of  Orange flowers with Green leaves was eye catching :

You can see the white buds on the tip of the artistically arranged leaves. Here is the close view :

From side also it was looking very beautiful, like temple.

 

This was the flower arrangement made behind Maha Bodhi tree:

 

Isn't this flower arrangement very unique? I don't have knowledge of Ikebana ( Japanese art of flower arrangements) ,as there were many Japanese pilgrims meditating there at that moment, I thought it must be Ikebana. 

Is it Ikebana?Anyone of you know about this kind of flower arrangement ?

 

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana

Buddha statue at BodhGaya- Personification of Peace

I visited  BodhGaya(in Bihar),the holy place where Buddha attained enlightenment. The stupa(Bhuddist temple structure) was built by Great Emperor Ashoka.

 

This   is an example of architectural genre of the Maurya dynasty. This stupa is one of the 84000 shrines erected by King Ashoka. Around the stupa there is Vihara(or Garden with many small stupas), about which I will share in the coming post. The temple has undergone many renovation.

When I entered the temple I could see the statue of Biddha. When I saw it while entering, I felt its personification of peace.

 

On top of the  statue the roof is also carved: 

And on the seat also some carvings can be seen :

The height of this statue is 2 metres and it is considered as the largest statue of Buddha in seated position.The Buddha statue is carved as seated cross legged , with one hand pointing to the earth .

This statue was created first in black stone then painted with gold by pilgrims.

With all the disciples  , even I started walking towards the statue.I felt , the calm facial expression attracted towards it.

I was unknowingly walking towards that.As I  walked towards the statue, the beauty of the statue filled my eyes.

 

Anybody can be attracted to this face which is filled with peace. I remembered the story of the mad elephant which was rushed towards Buddha. I realized why it returned without doing any harm to him. I took the capture of divinity very closely, we can only see kindness, calmness , peace and love!

With all other devotees I also bowed to the statue. While coming back I turned many times to see the personification of peace again and again.

Still more share about Mahabodhi temple. Wait for my next posts.

Love , laugh and live the life to the fullest,

-Ranjana