About 250 years after the Enlightenment, Buddhist Emperor Ashoka visited Bodh Gaya with the intention of establishing a monastery, shrine, and erecting the diamond throne (called the Vajrasana), the Seat of Enlightenment. He is considered the founder of the Mahabodhi Temple.
The Mahabodhi Temple, as of 2002, is an UNESCO World Heritage Site specifically nominated for the international World heritage program.