Archaeological Museum

Get enlightened about the life of Gautam Buddha and learn more about the ancient era of the Gupta and Maurya empire through the famous Archaeological Museum of Bodhgaya. Established in 1956, the museum houses several antiquities from the Mughal era and sculptures and images of Lord Buddha and other Hindu deities.

About the Museum

Located near the famous Mahabodhi Temple, the Archaeological Museum in Bodhgaya, Bihar was established in 1956 and houses a stunning collection of artifacts and exhibits, some of which were transported from the Mahabodhi Temple. With a rich assortment of antiquities and sculptures of religious idols, the museum is one of the most famous tourist spots in Bodhgaya. Artifacts such as Hindu and Buddhist relics, stone sculptures, terracotta items, images of Lord Buddha, miniature pots, coping stones, and antimony rods. Apart from these exhibits, you will also find several scriptures, artifacts, and educational reliefs that belonged to the olden universities at this museum.

The museum is designed with two galleries, an open courtyard, and two verandahs that have various antiques on display. The first gallery displays a sculpture of crowned Buddha in Bhumisparsamudra, Maitreya, a standing image of Manjusri, images of Buddha in distinct attitudes, a standing Yakshi figure, railing pillar depicting Surya, a panel showing Sahasra Buddha, and a lot more. The second gallery of the museum comprises images and statues of the Dasavatara (Ten Incarnations) of Lord Vishnu and the highlights of the museum are the gigantic idols of Lord Buddha in Abhayamudra position, SaptaMatrika, and Varaha avatar of Lord Vishnu. The museum also has on display antiques such as relics and miniature monuments from the Mauryan and Gupta Empire and vintage coins from the Mughal era.