Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum

Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum, situated close to the famous Mahabodhi Temple, was set up in the year 1956. The museum houses some excellent and rare antique collections including terracotta items, sculptures from the 1st century and idols of Hindu gods made of silver, bronze and gold, among others. In a gallery inside, visitors can see all the Dasavatara or incarnations of Lord Vishnu. There are enormous idols of Lord Buddha in abhayamudra position and varaha avatar displayed in the museum. Also on display here are objects belonging to the Mauryan and Gupta periods and coins from the Mughal era. Apart from some curious travellers, the place is frequented by historians and archaeologists in large numbers.