Of the several legends connected with Bodh Gaya and its monument, the most historic and world-famous story of Buddha’s “Enlightenment” may be referred to. The Buddhist scriptures relate that, here at Bodh Gaya, Gautam sat down in a cross-legged position, firm and immoveable as if welded with a hundred thunderbolts; that then the Evil Mara came against him mounted on his elephant, 250 leagues in height and hurled at him great mountains; that the mountains as they reached him, turned into bouquets of heavenly flowers, and the mighty elephant itself fell down on its knees in worship; and that the “Great Being” finally obtained “Enlightenment” at which lotus wreaths hung from the sky and the great ocean itself became sweet, down to its profoundest depths, and the rivers were stayed in their course.
Buddhist devotees from all across the globe reach Bodh Gaya to offer prayers at Mahabodhi Temple and meditate in the vicinity of the Bodhi Tree (Bo Tree). The faithful usually take holy dip in Naranjana River wherein Gautam used to take bath. Several Buddhist countries like Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Japan, Thailand, Combodia etc have built temples in Bodh Gaya. A government museum, containing relics and arte-facts related to Buddhism, is also located here.