Muchalinda Sarovar, Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Muchalinda Sarovar, Bodh Gaya, Bihar (© Alexander Reshnya/Getty Images)
Pond of peace
Bodh Gaya, in Bihar's Gaya district, is one of the most sacred destinations in the Buddhist world. It is where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment beneath the Bodhi Tree and became the Buddha. Marked by the towering Mahabodhi Temple and centuries of devotion, this site draws pilgrims, monks and spiritual seekers from across the globe. Within this spiritually resonant landscape lies a lesser-known, yet deeply, revered corner—Muchalinda Sarovar, or the Lotus Pond. It is believed to be the site where Buddha spent his sixth week in meditation following his enlightenment.
© Alexander Reshnya/Getty Images