Introduction
The
exotic town of Bodhgaya is the place where Lord Buddha attained
enlightenment. The 2500-year-old religion of Buddhism has its adherents
distributed all over the world. Devotees and tourists flock to Bodhgaya from
far and wide to gain an insight into the teachings and doctrines of
Buddhism. While at Bodhgaya, one can easily observe that peace and
spirituality pervades all over the place. The Bodhi Tree under which Buddha
gained enlightenment or Nirvana is the cynosure of all eyes here. Even
followers from countries like Burma, Sri Lanka, China, Bhutan, Tibet and
Japan have established numerous monastic settlements here. These settlements
have heightened the spiritual charm of the place all the more. The
surroundings are calm and are a perfect haven for those who are in search of
peace and tranquility.
Location & Climate
Bodhgaya is situated on the banks of the Falgu River in south Bihar. Gaya,
the closest big town, is just 13 km from Bodhgaya. The town lies at a
distance of 105 km from Patna in the state of Bihar. Bodhgaya experiences a
tropical climate. Winters are pleasant. October to February is the most
ideal time to take a pilgrimage trip to the town of Bodhgaya.
Sightseeing
The all-renowned town of Bodhgaya is replete with Buddhist spots. Since, it
is the place from where Buddhism originated and went on to become one of the
major religions of the world, people from all over the world pour into the
town to see and experience the faith that has been accepted more as a way of
life than a mere religion.
»
Mahabodhi Temple : The Mahabodhi Temple at Bodhgaya is the biggest draw
for tourists. It is the site where Lord Buddha attained Nirvana. He sat
under a peepal tree, which is popular as the Bodhi Tree, and did not move
until he got his queries answered and realised that he had gained
enlightenment. Under the tree, one can notice the red sandstone slab where
Lord Buddha is believed to have sit and meditated. The temple displays
exquisite carvings and also bears a gilded image of Buddha.
» Bodhi Sarovar : At Bodhgaya, you can visit a
number sacred sites that give an account of the where, when and how Lord
Buddha meditated and got enlightened. One of these is the Bodhi Sarovar
where Buddha is said to have a bath before he sat to meditate under the
Bodhi Tree.
» Chankaramana or the Jewel Walk : The Jewel Walk is
yet another significant site here. It is the place where Buddha reflected
deeply on whether or not he should reveal the knowledge to the world. Here,
you can also see a Tibetan Monastery that houses a large dharma chakra or
the 'Wheel of Law'.
» The Archaeological Museum : The Archaeological
Museum at Bodhgaya is a must see for all. Kept up by the Department of
Archaeological Survey of India, the museum displays numerous sculptures,
images and Buddhist artifacts belonging to the past. Most importantly, the
bronze statues are worth seeing. Images of Buddha and Buddha pillars are
other antiquities to see and experience here.
Accommodation Options
Bodhgaya has a number of accommodation options for tourists and travellers.
Besides hotels, there are a few Buddhist monasteries that provide lodging
options as well. The famous hotels of Bodhgaya include the following.
Hotels in Bodhgaya
¤ Hotel Bodhgaya Ashok (Run by the ITDC)
¤ Hotel Siddharta International (3 Star)
¤ Hotel Lotus Nikko (3 Star)
¤ Hotel Royal Residency (3 Star)
Accessibility
Patna is the closest airport from Bodhgaya. The airport has regular flights
connecting to places like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Varanasi, Hyderabad etc.
13 km from Bodhgaya, Gaya is the nearest railways station. There are regular
mail and express trains connecting to the railhead from the key destinations
of the country. The road route too is well established. The Bihar State Road
Transport Corporation plies regular buses to Bodhgaya from Patna, Nalanda
and Rajgir.
Ajanta
Caves 
Ajanta
Ellora Excursion
