Great Buddha Statue, Bodh Gaya: How to Visit and What to Do Nearby

The Great Buddha Statue at Bodh Gaya rises 25 meters on a lotus pedestal near the Mahabodhi Temple, consecrated in 1989 by the 14th Dalai Lama as a gift from the Daijokyo Buddhist Temple of Japan. The sandstone and red granite figure depicts the seated Buddha in the dhyana mudra meditation pose, flanked by 10 smaller statues of the Buddha's disciples. The statue sits within a landscaped garden a 10-minute walk south of the Mahabodhi Temple complex. Admission is free, with the surrounding garden open daily during standard daylight hours. If you're making a trip of it, consider other main attractions in Bodh Gaya, like Mahabodhi Temple and Bodhi Tree.