Bodh Gaya: The Most Revered and Sacred Site of Buddhism
Revered as one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centres in the world, Bodh Gaya is located in the Gaya district of the North Indian state of Bihar. It is believed that Lord Buddha attained enlightenment here while meditating under the Bodhi Tree around 2,500 years ago. Thousands of tourists from across the globe visit this sacred place to worship and meditate. The Maha Bodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.
Several Buddhist monasteries are also located in Bodh Gaya. The Root Institute for Wisdom Culture offers various courses on Buddhist philosophy and meditation. Ancient statues of Lord Buddha and scriptures are preserved in the Archaeological Museum.
Following are the main attractions of Bodh Gaya:
Maha Bodhi Temple: Located east of the Bodhi Tree, the Maha Bodhi Temple is also known as Bodhimanda. The gold-painted statue of Lord Buddha inside the temple exudes an ethereal aura. The posture of Lord Buddha depicts the moment of enlightenment. It is believed that Emperor Ashoka originally built the temple in 260 BC. The current structure stands as a result of restoration work done by the British-era Archaeological Survey of India. The temple opens from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. The complex comprises the 50-metre-high temple, the Bodhi Tree, and six other sacred sites associated with the enlightenment of Lord Buddha.
Animesh Lochan Chaitya: This sacred spot is closely associated with the enlightenment of Lord Buddha. It is believed that after achieving enlightenment, Lord Buddha sat here for seven days and gazed at the Bodhi Tree without blinking. Hence, the name 'Animesh Lochan' meaning ‘open eyes’. The path from Animesh Lochan Chaitya to the Bodhi Temple is known as the Jewel Walk or Ratnachankrama.
Ratnagarh: It is believed that when Lord Buddha meditated here, five different colours radiated from his body.
Chankramana: This raised platform marks the place where Lord Buddha is believed to have walked up and down during the third week following his enlightenment.
Excursions from Bodh Gaya
There are several interesting places to explore near Bodh Gaya. Some of them include:
Vishnupad Temple: This ancient Vishnu Temple was built by Queen Ahilya Bai in 1787 on the banks of the River Falgu. It is located in Gaya, about 12 km from Bodh Gaya.
Sun Temple: Located approximately 32 km from Bodh Gaya, the Sun Temple at Deo bears architectural resemblance to the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha.
Barabar Caves: Dating back to the Mauryan era, these are among the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India. Situated around 41 km from Bodh Gaya, the caves are also mentioned in E. M. Forster’s famous novel ‘A Passage to India’.
Tourists can also visit other nearby destinations such as Muchalinda Lake (3 km), Rajgir (80 km) and Nalanda (96 km).
When to Reach: The best time to visit Bodh Gaya is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant. The important festivals celebrated here include Buddha Jayanti, held in the months of April or May.
How to Reach:
Air: The nearest airport is in Patna, the capital city of Bihar, located about 100 km from Bodh Gaya.
Rail: The nearest railway station is in Gaya, around 15 km away.
Road: Frequent bus services are available from Varanasi, Patna and Gaya to Bodh Gaya.
