Sujatha Temple is a Buddhist temple in the Bakraur region of Bodh Gaya, Bihar, about 3 kilometers from the Bodhgaya Bus Station. It is one of numerous pilgrimage sites in Bodhgaya.
Sujatha Temple is named after Sujatha, a poor tribal lady who gave pudding to Gautam Buddha. The sacrifice is said to have saved Lord Buddha's life, hence the temple is regarded religiously significant. According to mythology, Gautam Buddha ate kheer for the first time after years of fasting after renunciating the materialistic life, including food, in order to achieve enlightenment. Gautama Buddha afterwards learned that immoderation cannot lead to enlightenment, so he continued on his trip until he arrived at Bodh Gaya, where he ultimately obtained enlightenment. As a result, a tiny temple has been created to commemorate the historical event.
Besides, one can also visit the Sujata Stupa located nearby. It was built to commemorate the living site of the doomed village woman named Sujata who fed the starving Buddha a bowl of rice milk thus ending his seven years of asceticism and spurring him to follow the Middle Way. Built during the Gupta period and excavated during 1973-78 & 2003-2008, the Stupa was a double terraced circular mound with Ayakas (offering altar) at four main directions. The entire structure was originally plastered with lime and there was a wooden railing around the sacred stone pathway at its ground level. The stupa was originally adorned with a pillar of Ashoka, which was quarried in part for building material in the 1800s, then placed at the Gol Pather intersection of Gaya, and finally moved to Bodh Gaya in 1956.
Location: Bakraur, Bodh Gaya, Bihar, 824231, India
Timings: 7 AM - 7 PM
Time Required: 1 hour - 2 hours
Entry: No Entry Fee