The Archaeological Museum of Bodh Gaya is a museum of archaeology in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, located close to the Mahabodhi Temple complex. Established by the Archaeological Survey of India in 1956, it features a collection of sculptures, artifacts and antiquities pertaining to Buddhism and Hinduism, dating from 2nd century BC to 11th century CE.
The museum has three main galleries, along with a portico and corridor. The exhibits include precisely carved pieces of sandstone and granite, showcasing Buddha, Maitreya, Manjusri, Avalokitesvara, Tara, Jambhala and other deities. There are also historical Vedic art depicting incarnation scenes of Hindu gods like Vishnu and images of Ganesha, Uma Maheshwara, Kamadeva, Saptamatrika.
Here are some of the interesting things you can see in the museum:
- Bronze and stone sculptures of Buddhist and Brahmanical faith from the Pala period
- Scenes related to the Buddhist pantheon
- Surya, Zodiac signs on railings of Sunga age
- Panel showing Sapta Matrika, Dikpalas, Dasavatara of Lord Vishnu
- A colossal image of standing Buddha in abhayamudra
- The Varaha incarnation of Lord Vishnu
The museum is a great place to learn about the history and culture of Bodh Gaya. It is a small museum, so you can see everything in an hour or two. If you are interested in learning more about Buddhism or Hinduism, this is a great place to visit.
Here's some visitor information for the Archaeological Society of India Museum, Bodh Gaya:
- Entry Fee: ₹10 per person
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all days except Fridays.