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
Friday, October 12, 2007
Introduction
General info
- 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.
What to see?
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).
How to reach
Air: The nearest airport is at Gaya 7 Kms and
Rail: The nearest railway station is
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,
Bus : Regular direct bus services are available from
Where to stay?
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:
1. Siddharth Vihar, Bodhgaya, Gaya-824231
Phone: 0631-2200445, 2200127.
Rooms available: AC Rooms, Non-AC Rooms
2. Sujata Vihar, Bodhgaya, Gaya-824231
Phone:0631-2200445, 2200127.
Rooms available: Dormitory Beds available only
3. 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.
Excursions
Pretshila Hill (12 km,
Other Excursions: Dungeshwari (12 km), Muchalinda Lake (3 km), Gaya (12 km), Rajgir (80 km), Nalanda (96 km), Pawapuri (114 km).