Monk praying in front of Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, India. Bodh Gaya (once Uruvela village) is the place where, 2500 years ago, in the 6th century BC, a young ascetic, Siddhartha, attained enlightenment to become the Buddha, and founded Buddhism, one of the world's oldest religions. It is believed that the original tree sprang up the day the Buddha was born. The tree was destroyed and replanted at least five times. People pray, meditate and prostrate before the Bodhi tree, making a wish or in thanks giving. ..