Bodh Gaya · Bihar · Consecrated by the Dalai Lama, 1989
Great Buddha Statue, Bodh Gaya The 80-foot statue & visitor guide
What the Great Buddha Statue is, why it was built, when to go, how long to allow, and how to combine it with the Mahabodhi Temple and the monasteries nearby.
The basics
What Is the Great Buddha Statue?
The Great Buddha Statue is an 80-foot statue of the Buddha seated in meditation posture, one of the tallest such statues in India and a landmark of Bodh Gaya in its own right. It stands a short distance south of the main Mahabodhi Temple complex, at the far end of a long garden approach lined with smaller seated Buddha figures.
The statue was consecrated in 1989 by the 14th Dalai Lama, and it is built from a combination of red granite and sandstone blocks around a concrete core. It sits on a lotus-shaped pedestal, facing the road, and is visible from some distance as you approach.
Because it is close to the temple and easy to combine with a wider Bodh Gaya day, most visitors see it alongside the Mahabodhi Temple and the Thai, Japanese, Tibetan and Chinese monasteries — see our full Bodh Gaya places-to-visit guide for a suggested route.
| What it is | An 80-foot statue of the Buddha seated in meditation posture |
|---|---|
| Location | A short distance south of the Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya |
| Consecrated | 1989, by the 14th Dalai Lama |
| Materials | Reported to be built from red granite and sandstone around a concrete core |
| Setting | Seated on a lotus pedestal, approached along a garden path lined with smaller Buddha statues |
| Entry | Free to enter |
| Best time to visit | Morning, for softer light and quieter grounds |
| Time to allow | Roughly 30 to 45 minutes |
Why it matters
Significance of the Great Buddha Statue
While the Mahabodhi Temple marks the exact site of the Buddha’s enlightenment, the Great Buddha Statue is a more modern addition to Bodh Gaya’s skyline — built as a monument to the Buddha’s teachings rather than a site of historic events. Its scale and calm, seated posture make it one of the most photographed spots in the town, and it is often the first landmark visitors notice as they enter Bodh Gaya.
The consecration by the Dalai Lama in 1989 gives the statue particular significance for Tibetan Buddhist visitors, and it remains a working shrine — you will often see pilgrims offering prayers and walking the surrounding garden path.
On the day
What to Expect During Your Visit
A visit here is far less structured than the Mahabodhi Temple — there is no security queue or darshan line, just a garden walk up to the statue and some time to take in its scale. Smaller Buddha statues, each depicting a different posture or mudra, line the approach path and are worth a look on the way in.
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1
Walk the garden approach
The path in is lined with smaller seated Buddha statues, each worth a moment.
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2
Take in the statue
Step back for the full view — the statue is best appreciated from a distance, with the garden in front of it.
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3
Photograph the grounds
Photography is generally permitted in the open grounds; we confirm any restrictions for your date.
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4
Move on to the monasteries
The statue is close enough to the Mahabodhi Temple and the monasteries to combine all three in one outing.
Plan your visit
Great Buddha Statue Timings
The grounds are generally open through daylight hours. Treat this as approximate — we confirm the current schedule before your visit.
| Session | Approximate time |
|---|---|
| Grounds open | Roughly 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Best light for photos | Morning, before the midday sun is overhead |
Hours can shift with the season. We check the current schedule for your date, especially if you are planning a tight itinerary alongside the Mahabodhi Temple and the monasteries.
Etiquette
Rules, Dress & Etiquette
What to wear
Modest, comfortable clothing — there is no strict dress code here, but shoulders and knees covered is respectful.
Quiet conduct
It remains a working shrine, so keep noise down near the statue and be mindful of pilgrims at prayer.
Photography
Generally allowed in the grounds — ask before photographing anyone at prayer.
Footwear
Not always required to be removed in the open garden, but check locally, as rules can vary.
Getting there
How to Reach the Great Buddha Statue
It sits a short distance south of the Mahabodhi Temple, on the same side of town as most of Bodh Gaya’s monasteries.
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Step 1
By air
Gaya Airport is a few kilometres away, with connections that are largely seasonal or pilgrimage-circuit flights — we check current routes for your date.
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Step 2
By train
Gaya Junction is well connected on the Indian rail network, with a short onward drive or auto ride into Bodh Gaya.
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Step 3
From Varanasi
Bodh Gaya is roughly 250 km from Varanasi, about 5 to 6 hours by road. See our Varanasi Bodh Gaya packages or itinerary guide.
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Step 4
From the Mahabodhi Temple
A short walk or auto ride — most visitors cover it on the same outing as the temple and the monasteries.
Local advice
Tips for a Smooth Visit
- Go in the morning. The light is softer for photos and the garden is quieter before the day’s crowds and heat build up.
- Pair it with the temple. The Mahabodhi Temple is close by and most visitors see both in the same trip.
- Look at the smaller statues too. The garden approach has several smaller Buddha figures in different postures, easy to miss if you head straight for the main statue.
- Keep it brief if you are short on time. Thirty to forty-five minutes is usually enough here, leaving more time for the temple and the monasteries.
Plan a route
Places to Visit Near Great Buddha Statue, Bodh Gaya
Combine these in one outing — each has its own visitor guide.
Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
The UNESCO-listed temple built around the Bodhi Tree, marking the spot of the Buddha’s enlightenment.
Read the guide →Bodh Gaya Monasteries
Thai, Japanese, Tibetan and Chinese temples, each in their own architectural style, clustered nearby.
Read the guide →In pictures
Great Buddha Statue, Bodh Gaya: Photo Gallery
Quick answers
Great Buddha Statue, Bodh Gaya: Frequently Asked Questions
It is about 80 feet (roughly 24 metres) tall, making it one of the tallest Buddha statues in India.
Timings, rules and fees can change with the season and on festival days. Please confirm on the day, especially for darshan and aarti times.
Plan your visit
Make the Most of Your Bodh Gaya Trip
Bodh Gaya Travel Guide
Best time to visit, how to reach, and everything else to plan your trip.
Learn more →Varanasi + Bodh Gaya Tour Packages
Let our local team plan the whole trip, with pick-up and a private vehicle.
Learn more →Varanasi Cab Service
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Learn more →More Places to Visit in Bodh Gaya
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