Location : Bihar
Attractions : Bodhi Tree, Bodhi
Sarovar.
Famous As : The Land Of
Enlightenment Of Buddha.
Best Season : Between February And
April. |
Tourism in
Bodh Gaya (Bodhgaya)
THE LAND OF ENLIGHTMENT
Holding extreme religious importance to the
Buddhists, Bodhgaya lies13 km south of Gaya,
beside the river Phalgu. It was here, that
the Lord Buddha sat under the Banyan tree
and attained enlightenment, and a descendant
of that original tree still flourishes there
today. Bodhgaya is small and quiet town,
which is the most important of all the
Buddhist sites in the world.
The Maha Bodhi temple of Bodh Gaya is one of
the important places of worship for the
Buddhists. Apart from being a vital Buddhist
centre, it is also a significant
archaeological site. Devout Buddhists and
tourists from all over the world visit
Bodhgaya, to study Buddhism and the art of
meditation, or to simply absorb the aura of
solemn splendour that surrounds the place.
Brief history:
Marking the holy spot of the enlightenment
of the Master, this site is looked upon with
greatest sanctity and became a flourishing
Buddhist establishment with numerous
temples, stupas and monasteries.
According to tradition a large number of
shrines and memorials were erected at the
site to commemorate the incidents before
after enlightenment but only few now can be
recognised. Of the earliest shrines,
traditionally attributed to Asoka, only
vajrasana or the sandstone throne with the
characteristic Mauryan polish and decorative
designs has survived and is seen beneath the
holy Bodhi tree.
To the Sunga period belongs a portion of the
sandstone railing carved with bas-reliefs,
typical of the age. The remaining portion of
the railing pertains to the Gupta period.
The main brick-built shrine known as the
Mahabodhi temple which appears to have been
originally erected in circa 2nd century
A.D., is encumbered with the heavy
renovations, the four corner-towers being an
arbitrary addition of circa 14th century.
Its central tower, standing on a high
plinth, is about 55m high and is a
straight-edged pyramid of seven storeys,
relieved by pilasters and chaitya-niches,
substantially agreeing with its description
left by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang. The
remaining shrines and stupas mostly belong
to the Pala period (9th to 12th century).
PRIME SITES IN BODH GAYA
Mahabodhi
Temple at Bodhgaya ( World Heritage Sites )
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is one of the
four holy sites related to the life of the
Lord Buddha, and particularly to the
attainment of Enlightenment. The first
temple was built by Emperor Asoka in the 3rd
century B.C., and the present temple dates
from the 5th or 6th centuries. It is one of
the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely
in brick, still standing in India, from the
late Gupta period.
Bodhi Tree:
Towards the West of the Maha Bodhi temple,
is the tree where Gautam Buddha did his
meditation and attained enlightenment.
Bodhi Sarovar:
Before going in for meditation, Buddha took
bath in this pond. This pond is situated
towards the west of Bodhi temple. The pond
is situated in a very attractive place and
is worth visiting.
Chankamana:
Towards North of the Bodhi Temple, is a
platform with foot impressions of Buddha.
Apart from these ponds and platforms, there
are many temples built by the people of
various nations like the Tibet temple, the
Japanese, the Thai, the Lankan and the
Bhutan temple. These temples are also a
major attraction for the tourists and
devotees, who visit Bodh Gaya.
EXCURSION FROM BODHGAYA
Barabar Caves:
57 Kms from Gaya are some earliest carved
out Buddhist caves. The interior of these
caves is chiselled to a wonderful polish.
The carvings in the caves reflect the skill
with which these caves are carved out. These
caves were built some where in the 3rd
century and are fine examples of the skill,
which the Indian mason had attained at that
time. These caves are believed to be of
Mauryan period and considered to be the
origin of Indian cave architecture.
Deo :
20 kms from Gaya is located the Sun temple
of Deo. In fact, this place is famous for
the 'Chhat' festival, which is held in the
month of October-November.
Dungeswari :
The place is famous for the caves where
Buddha had meditated for some time. It was
in these caves that he concluded that the
ultimate knowledge can not be attained
through mortification of the flesh. These
caves are 12 kms from the main town of Bodh
Gaya.
Rajgir:
Just 15 kms from Nalanda is located the
complex of temples and monasteries. The
place is called Rajgir. It is one of the
most important tourist places in India.
Being located in a valley, Rajgir is a very
scenic place.
TRAVEL INFORMATION ON BODHGAYA
HOW TO GET THERE
Air:
The closest airport is Patna airport (112 km
from Bodhgaya).
Rail:
The Railways Department has provided Gaya,
the neighbouring city, with a number of
trains which connect the city with all the
parts of India. The Rajdhani and Kalka Mail
have their stoppages here. Gaya is a
junction and one can change trains for the
other train routes.
Road:
Bodhgaya is connected by road to Gaya,
which is connected, to the Delhi-Calcutta
Highway junction (on Grand Trunk Road). Gaya
is also connected to Dobhi (22 km) and Patna
(105 km).
WHERE TO STAY IN BODH GAYA
Buddha International,
Buddha Vihar, Bihar Tourist Complex
ITDC Bodhgaya Ashok,
SHOPPING IN BODH GAYA
Apart from sweets, one can buy some
handicraft items and decorative pieces made
out of stone. Though sea is very far from
this place, do not be surprised if you find
items made from sea shells. Behind the Bodhi
Mandir in Bodh Gaya is a huge market for
foreign goods. But before buying any thing
here, make sure that you are buying the
original and not a forged item. There are no
such markets in Gaya, which can be suggested
for shopping.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
Tourist Reception Centre: Bodh Gaya, Bihar.
Distance of near by cities: Patna: 116 kms;
Bihar Sharif : 91 kms; Bihar Sharif : 91 kms;
Ranchi : 341 kms; Nalanda: 77 kms; Calcutta:
495 kms.
International Center for Meditation: 5 kms
from Bodh Gaya, near the Magadh University.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Population: Approx. 27000.
Climate: Extreme type of climate, with very
hot summer and cold winter.
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Travel Guide / States / Bihar / Cities / Bodh Gaya (Bodhgaya) Travel
