Location : Bihar
Tourist Attractions : Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree
Local Tongue : Hindi
STD Code : (91) - 631
Best time to Visit : October to March
Mahabodhi Temple Time: 5 AM to 9 PM
About Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya,
a place of tranquility is situated 96-kilometer away from Patna, Bihar. It
is located on the brink of pious river Falgu and only 13km from the holy
city of Gaya. The pilgrimage destination holds significance with the 25000
years old legends of Gautama Buddha and his enlightenment under the Bodhi
tree of the very religious land.
History speaks that Siddharatha Gautama, a young prince left his kingdom in
search of peace. After years of wandering across the various paths on the
earth, he discovered his final attainment in place and thus started
introducing a chain of events, which ultimately led to the founding of
Buddhism. Since then, the city has been recognized as the religious
pilgrimage which has now it has become an ultimate center for yoga and
meditation. Every year thousands of pilgrims from all over the world visit
the place and experience the vibrant phase of this wonderland.
The biggest festival day of Bodgaya is the Budha Jayanti festival,
celebrated in the month of May. The festival is believed to be linked with
the day he got enlightenment and left his body.
Religious Attractions in Bodhgaya
Mahabodhi Temple
The Mahabodhi temple is the most important monastery of Bodhgaya and was
popularly called as Bodhimanda-vihara (Pali). The temple measures about 55m
in height and covers an area of 48 sq.km. Its slender pyramid shape gets
conical above the neck and the towers on all the four corners is sculptured
with the great image of Lord Buddha. Inside the temple, a single chamber
holds the image of Lord Buddha complemented with an ancient Shivalinga. In
the year 2002, the temple came under the catalog of UNESCO World Heritage
Site and is now the most sought after religious place in the world.
Bodhi Tree
Also known as the Mahabodhi tree, this old sacred Fig tree is located
adjacent to the Mahabodhi temple of Bodh Gaya. The tree is large in
size,with height of 80 feet and holds the underlying religious saga of the
spiritual Siddhartha Gautama (Gautama Buddha) who has achieved enlightenment
under it. With great respect the tree came to be known as Sri Maha Bodhi.
Buddhist texts also marked that Buddha, after his enlightenment, spent a
whole week, standing in front of the tree gazing constantly with all his
gratitude towards it.
Dharma Chakra
A large Dharma Chakra, also known as the wheel of law is positioned in a
Tibetan monastery, situated at a short distance from the Mahabodhi temple.
It measures about 10m in height and the main metal drum is painted in red
and golden hue. A number of devotees visit the monastery so as to en light
their body and soul with the everlasting principles of Buddhism
Parasnath Hill
The most sacred place of Bodhgaya, the Parasnath hill is just 40 km away
from Gaya district of Bihar. The place is filled with a series of ancient
rock-cut Buddhist caves, each consisting of a number of intricately designed
temples. Devotees believe that of the 24 tirthankaras residing here, 22
attained salvation. The place is one of the religious spot for Buddhist and
Jain folks.
Gaya
Another holy center of Bihar is the Gaya, situating at a distance of 16 km
away from Bodhgaya. The city is dotted with a number of old temples and some
Buddhist Shrine. The place hugs the pious river Falgu and is renowned for
treasuring the beautiful Vishnupad temple, a significant Hindu places of
worship. It is believed that the temple have been erected over Vishnu's
footprint. The whole town can be scanned with a few steps into the nearby
Brahmajuni Hill.
More Pilgrimage Attractions in Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya
is shimmered with a number of attractive sights like 80 ft Statue of the
Buddha, Lotus Tank, Buddha Kund, Rajayatana, Brahm Yoni, Chinese Temple &
Monastery, Burmese Temple, International Buddhist House & Japanese
Temple, Thai Temple & Monastery, Archaeological Museum. Sujata village
and Dungeshwari Hill
Stay At Bodhgaya
A number of tourist campus has been constructed by the Bihar State Tourism
Development Corporation like Siddhartha Vihar, Buddha Vihar and Sujata
Vihar. Indian Tourism development Corporation has also contributed with the
Hotel Bodhgaya Ashok. Also there are several other private hotels in the
town..
Climate/ Best Time for Buddhist Pilgrimage to Bodhgaya
Temperature varies from 28 degree Celsius from 47 degree Celsius in summer
(Max./Min.),whereas the winter days lies between 28 degree Celsius to 4
degree Celsius. Since the rainy seasons starts from the mid June to
September, the best time to make a trip into this Buddhist centre comes in
the between March to Octobor.
Bodhgaya Travel (Air/Rail/Road) Information
By Air :The nearest airport is at Gaya 7 Kms and Patna
135 kms. Indian Airlines and Sahara Airlines connect Patna to Calcutta,
Bombay, Delhi, Ranchi, Lucknow and various other cities
By Rail :The nearest railway station is Gaya(17km).
Indian Railway has facilitated the devotees with a special Buddha Parikrama
Express and the train ply the important places of Buddhist interest.
By Road :Bodhgaya is well connected by road to Gaya
(17km), Nalanda (101 km), Rajgir (78 km), Patna (135km), Varanasi (252 km),
Calcutta (495km) Regular direct bus services are available from Gaya, Patna,
Nalanda, Rajgir, Varanasi. Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation run
buses from Patna- Bodhgaya route twice a day. Chartered buses or taxis are
arranged from Ranchi and Patna by Bihar State Tourism Development
Corporation.
Distance from Major Cities
- Allahabad : 375 Km
- Calcutta : 489 Km
- Kanpur : 570 Km
- Jamshedpur : 350 Km
- Patna : 97 Km
- Varanasi : 250 Km
