Bodhgaya Holiday

In the Indian state of Bihar lies the holy place of Buddha's enlightenment, Bodh Gaya. This city is located in the district of Gaya and is the most important of the four pilgrimage sites linked to the life of Gautam Buddha. The place has earned International recognition because of its Mahabodhi Temple, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bodh Gaya is visited by tourists from distant places and by those who nurture a deep faith in Buddhism.

Tourist Attractions
There are so many things one can see and learn when in Bodh Gaya. In its every nook and corner one can find the faith of Buddhism. However, some of the prime attractions of the place are:

Mahabodhi Temple- Asoka, the great Mauryan ruler in the 3rd century built a shrine at the spot where Buddha attained enlightenment. Different rulers of India left their mark on the shrine and finally it took the shape of the Mahabodhi Temple. The temple lies to the east of the Bodhi Tree. The temple also is an example of superb architecture. In the main sanctum inside the temple lies a statue of Buddha in a sitting posture. It is believed that Buddha was in the same posture when he got the ultimate salvation. There are also a number of stupas built in the courtyard of the temple which till date seem as elegant as ever.
Bodhi Tree – It was under the shade of Bodhi Tree that Lord Buddha got his enlightenment. A sapling of the original Bodhi Tree was carried by Emperor Ashoka's daughter to Sri Lanka. A cutting from the tree was planted in Bodh Gaya when the original tree died away. The tree is about 80 feet in height and is around 115 years old. Under the Bodhi tree lies a red sand-stone slab, which is called as Vajrasana, the diamond throne, where Buddha sat and attained Nirvana.

Monasteries – Many countries like Sri Lanka, Japan, Thailand, Mynammar, Vietman and Korea have built many temples and monasteries in Bodh Gaya. All the monasteries showcase a distinctive architectural styles and forms of worship. These structures play a very important role in informing the tourists about the different schools of Buddhism.

Bodh Gaya Museum – The Bodh Gaya Museum is located near the Mahabodhi temple and is run by the Archaeological Survey of India. The museum has a treasure of antiquities excavated in and around Bodh Gaya. It houses a large collection of Buddhist and Hindu relics, terracotta seals, scriptures and railings/pillars from the Sunga period (1 BC to 1 AD).

Dining
Good food is what keeps us going. There are certain established restaurants in Bodh Gaya that offers great Tibetan, Indian, Chinese and Continental food. They are:

• Om Restaurant
• Fuiia Garden
• Shiva Hotel

Accommodation
The hotels of Bodh Gaya cater to the needs of both pilgrims and tourists. There are a number of standard and budget hotels in Bodh Gaya. They are:

• Siddharatha Vihar
• Sujata Vihar
• Hotel Bodh Gaya Ashok
• Buddha Vihar
• The Royal Residency
• Taj Darbar
• Tathagat International

Shopping
Bodh Gaya is not a perfect shopping destination. However there are many shops that have decorative items related to Buddhism. There is also the availability of a wide range of statues that are made of metals and sandalwood. There are many roadside stalls that sell thangkas, Buddhist icons and tinkets.

How To Reach
By Air : Bodh Gaya has no airport of its own but Gaya has an airport which is 17 kms from Bodh Gaya. Most Indian cities are well connected with the city of Patna, which is about 135 kms from Bodh Gaya.

By Rail : Gaya is the nearest rail station. Trains from all the major cities land here in Bodh Gaya. A new train named Buddha Parikrama has been launched that is linked with all the places related to Buddhist places and Buddhism.

By Road : There are regular direct bus services from Gaya, Patna, Nalanda, Rajgir and Varanasi. Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation run buses from Patna- Bodh Gaya route twice a day.