Archaeological Society of India Museum

Archaeological Society of India Museum is an important place to visit in Bodhgaya, revealing the ancient articles belonging to the Brahmanical and Buddhist belief, mostly related to the Pala period. The museum showcases splendid stone and bronze statues and sculptures, panels, rods, plaques, pillars, railings, etc. The museum has an excellent collection of various Buddhist and Hindu relics and sculptures. It also acquaints visitors with life during the Buddha period. The Archaeological Society of India Museum in Bodhgaya saw it’s established in the year 1956. The museum houses two galleries and an open courtyard along with two verandahs which exhibits various antiquities. The first gallery showcases the stunning sculptures showing crowned Buddha in Bhumisparsamudra, Maitreya, a standing image of Manjusri, numerous other images of Buddha, standing Yakshi figure, railing pillar depicting Surya, Sahasra Buddha, etc. Second gallery showcases sculptures associated with Buddhist and Brahmanical faith, along with Sapta Matrika, Dasavatara of Lord Vishnu.  The museum houses huge idols of Lord Buddha in ‘abhayamudra’ position and the Varaha avatar of Lord Vishnu. One can see coins from the Mughal era and relics and monuments from the Mauryan and Gupta period in this museum.