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Why is Bodh Gaya the holiest site in Buddhism?

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The Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India, features a tall, intricately carved central spire surrounded by smaller shrines, trees, and gardens. — Bihar Mahabodhi Buddhist temple, built in the 2nd century ce, Bodh Gaya, Bihar, India.

Bodh Gaya is considered the holiest site in Buddhism because it is the location where Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, attained enlightenment (bodhi) while meditating under a sacred pipal tree, known as the Bodhi tree.12

This transformative event marks the foundation of the Buddhist faith. The site is home to the Mahabodhi Temple, which commemorates the Buddha's enlightenment and houses a descendant of the original Bodhi tree. Historically, the site has been a primary center for pilgrimage since the early centuries following the Buddha's death. The importance of the location was further solidified by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka, who commissioned a shrine to mark the spot where the Buddha sat, which is traditionally referred to as the vajrasana, or "diamond throne". Today, the complex is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, continuing to serve as a major destination for devotees worldwide.1342