Buddhist Monument
🚶 10 min walk from Glamour Palace
Great Buddha Statue
80-foot meditation Buddha · Bodh Gaya
The Great Buddha Statue (Daibutsu) of Bodh Gaya is a magnificent 25-metre (80-foot) statue of the meditating Gautama Buddha, seated in the dhyana mudra (meditation posture). One of the largest Buddha statues in India, it stands as a serene landmark visible from across the town.
Construction of the Great Buddha Statue began in 1982 and was completed in 1989. The project was initiated by the Daijokyo Buddhist sect of Japan under the guidance of their 14th Master, with significant support from the Japanese government and Buddhist communities worldwide. The statue is made of sandstone and red granite, featuring intricate carvings. Surrounding the main statue are ten smaller statues, each 2 metres tall, depicting scenes from the life of the Buddha. The complex also includes a meditation hall, a museum, and manicured gardens that attract visitors from across the world. The statue faces east, symbolising the direction of enlightenment.