Previous Year Question

Bodh Gaya, situated on the bank of the ancient Niranjana River, is one of the most important sacred places of Buddhism. Indian archaeological accounts identify the modern Lilajan River with the ancient Niranjana and describe Bodh Gaya as being situated on its bank.

Near Bodh Gaya, at ancient Uruvela, Siddhartha Gautama practised severe austerities before attaining enlightenment. After subjecting himself to extreme ascetic practices for a long period, he realized that excessive physical suffering was not the proper path to enlightenment.

According to Buddhist tradition, Sujata offered Siddhartha Gautama milk-rice. Thereafter, he went to the bank of the Niranjana River. Following this episode, he abandoned extreme asceticism, adopted a balanced path and sat in meditation beneath the Bodhi Tree.

It was at this place in Bodh Gaya that Siddhartha Gautama attained Sambodhi or enlightenment and became the Buddha. For this reason, Bodh Gaya is one of the four principal Buddhist pilgrimage sites.

Among the other options, Lumbini is the birthplace of the Buddha, Kusinagara is associated with his Mahaparinirvana, while Rishipattana or Sarnath is the place where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.