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General Information
What to See
Temple Timings
How to reach
Where to Stay
Excursions
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 Bodhgaya
is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in
the world. It was here under a banyan tree, the Bodhi Tree, Gautama attained
supreme knowledge to become Buddha,the Enlightened One. Born; in the foothills
of the Himalayas as a Sakya prince of Kapilvastu (now in Nepal), most
of the major events of his life, like enlightenment and last sermon, happened
in Bihar. Buddhism as a religion was really born in Bihar and evolved
here through his preaching and the example of his lifestyle of great simplicity,
renunciation and empathy for everything living. Significantly, the state's
name of 'Bihar' originated from 'Vihara' meaning monasteries which
abounded in Bihar. Several centuries after Buddha's passing away, the
Maurya Emperor Ashoka (234-198 BC) contributed tremendously towards the
revival, consolidation and spread of the original religion. It is the
monasteries, Ashoka built for the Buddhist monks and the pillars known
as Ashokan Pillars erected to commemorate innumerable historical sites
associated with the Buddha's life, mostly intact to this day, that helped
scholars and pilgrims alike to trace the life events and preaching of
a truly extraordinary man. There is a magnificent Mahabodhi temple and
the Tree from the original sapling still stands in the temple premises.
The temple is an architectural amalgamation of many centuries, cultures
and heritages. While its architecture has a distinct stamp of the Gupta
era, it has later ages inscriptions describing visits of pilgrims from
Sri Lanka, Myanmar and China between 7th and 10th century AD. It is perhaps
still the same temple Hieuen Tsang visited in 7th century.
- Temperature (Max./Min.) Deg C: Summer
47/28 Winter-28/4
- Rainfall:186 cms (Mid-June to Mid-September)
- Altitude:113 Meters
- Best Season: October to March.
 Mahabodhi
Temple: The temple stands in the east to the Bodhi Tree. Its architectural
effect is superb. Its basement is 48 square feet and it rises in the form
of a slender Pyramid till it reaches its neck, which is cylindrical in
shape. The total height of the temple is 170 ft. and on the top of the
temple are Chatras which symbolize sovereignty of religion. Four towers
on its corners rise gracefully giving the holy structure a poise balance.
This sacred edifice is like a grand banner unfurled by time to proclaim
to the world the pious efforts of the Buddha to solve the knots of human
miseries, to ascend above worldly problems and to attain transcendental
peace through wisdom, good conduct and disciplined life.
Inside the temple, in the main sanctum, there is a colossal
image of the Buddha in sitting posture touching the earth by his right
hand. In this posture the Buddha accomplished the supreme enlightenment.
The statue is of black stone but it has been guilder by the devotees.
The entire courtyard of the temple is studded with large number of votive
stupas. These stupas are of all sizes built during the past 2500 years
ago. Most of them are extremely elegant in structural beauty. The ancient
railings, which surround the temple, are of the first century BC and are
among the very interesting monuments of the century.
Animesh Lochan Chaitya:
It is believed that the Buddha spent one week here looking towards the
great Bodhi tree out of gratitude, without twinkling his eyes.
 Bodhi
Tree: The present Bodhi Tree is probably the fifth succession of
the original tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment. Vajrasana,
the seat of stability, is a stone platform on which the Buddha is supposed
to have sat in meditation gazing east, under the Bodhi tree.
Chankramana: This marks
the sacred spot of the Buddha's meditative perambulations during the third
week after pious enlightenment. It is believed that wherever the Buddha
put his feet lotus sprang up.
Ratnagarh: The Buddha spent
one week here, where it is believed that five colors came out of his body.
 Other
Treasures of Bodhgaya: 80 ft Statue of the Buddha, Lotus Tank,
Buddha Kund, Rajayatana, Brahm Yoni, Chinese Temple & Monastery, Burmese
Temple, Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, International Buddhist House &
Japanese Temple, Thai Temple & Monastery, Tibetan Monastery, Archaeological
Museum. Sujata village (2 kms), Dungeshwari Hill (Prag bodhi) (22 kms
by road), Maitraya Project (3 kms).
Mahabodhi Temple: 5 AM to
9 PM
Other Monastries: 5 AM to
12 Noon and 2 PM to 6 PM
Distance Chart
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.
Rail: The nearest railway
station is Gaya (17km).
Road: Bodhgaya is well connected
by road to Gaya (17km), Nalanda (101 km), Rajgir (78 km), Patna (135km),
Varanasi (252 km), Calcutta (495km)
Local Transport: Taxis,
Tongas, Auto Rickshaws, Cycle Rickshaws are available.
Bus : 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.
Conducted Tour : Chartered
buses or taxis are arranged from Ranchi and Patna by Bihar State Tourism
Development Corporation.
Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation runs three
hotels - Siddhartha Vihar, Buddha Vihar and Sujata Vihar and has a Tourist
Information Centre in its sprawling tourist complex campus. There is Hotel
Bodhgaya Ashok run by Indian Tourism development Corporation and there
are several other private hotels in the town.
Tourist Bungalows:
- Siddharth Vihar, Bodhgaya, Gaya-824231
Phone: 0631-2200445, 2200127.
Rooms available: AC Rooms, Non-AC Rooms
- Sujata Vihar, Bodhgaya, Gaya-824231
Phone:0631-2200445, 2200127.
Rooms available: Dormitory Beds available only
- Buddha Vihar, Bodhgaya, Gaya-824231.
Phone: 0631-2200445, 2200127.
Facility Available: Restaurant, CTV, Conference
Hall, Coach/Car Parking.
Rooms available: Dormitory Beds and Conference
Hall is available.
Sun Temple (32 km): It is
a famous temple of the Sun God at Deo and has a beautiful architecture
similar to the Konark Temple in Orissa. This place is famous for the 'Chhat'
festival which is held in the month of October-November.
 Pretshila
Hill (12 km, Gaya): This hill adds to the beauty of Gaya. It is
about 10 kms from the Ramshila hill. Just below the hill is the Brahma
Kund. After taking bath in this pond people go for the 'Pind
Dan' which involves performance of religious rites and offering
donations and charity for the peace of souls of one's parents and ancestors.
On top of the hill the Queen of Indore, Ahilya Bai, built a temple in
1787popularly known as Ahilya Bai Temple. This temple has always been
an attraction for the tourists due to its unique architecture and magnificent
sculptures.
Vishnupad Temple (12km, at Gaya):
In 1787 Queen Ahilya Bai built the Vishnu temple on the banks of river
Falgu. The temple has some great architecture and design which attracts
devotees and tourists alike. A 30-meter high octagonal tower overshadows
this temple.
Barabar Caves (41 km): It
is an important archaeological site. The caves carved out from solid rocks
bear details of the life of the Buddha. The interior of these caves is
chiseled to a wonderful polish. The carvings in the caves reflect the
skill with which these caves were carved out. These caves were built in
the 3rd century and are fine examples of the skill which the Indian mansion
had attained at that time. These caves of Mauryan period are rightly considered
to be the origin of Indian cave architecture. It was here in these caves
where the Buddha had meditated for some time and concluded that the ultimate
knowledge can not be attained through mortification of the flesh.
Other Excursions: Dungeshwari
(12 km), Muchalinda Lake (3 km), Gaya (12 km), Rajgir (80 km), Nalanda
(96 km), Pawapuri (114 km).
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