They are buildings, cities and natural wonders. They house the heights of cultural achievement and offer backdrops for our best ideas. Asked to name the most influential place in history, previous and present TIME 100 honorees reflect on locations that have seen and in some cases helped bring about some of the most transformative moments in human experience.
Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, India
Its name translates as the Great Awakening Temple. This is the site where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. The temple, along with the nearby bodhi tree, is one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
