Bodhgaya – Serene and quiet this tiny little village, holiest among holy places is Bodhgaya in Bihar, India where the quest of Prince Siddharth was fulfilled after years of seeking the truth and saga of Buddha began. He attained the supreme enlightened and became ‘The Buddha’, the enlighten one. Thus Buddhism was born here under the Peepal tree. The prince had been wandering in search of supreme peace for long six years hither and thither. But it was at Bodhgaya only where his holy mission was achieved.
Lying in sylvan solitude this sacred place is situated on the bank of river Niranjana (Modern Falgu) . It is 13 km from Gaya town. Gaya is an important Centre of Hindu Pilgrimage’ where people go to offer oblations for the salvation of their dead forefathers.

Details of Tourist Places to Visit in Bodhgaya are : –

The Bodhi Tree

The present Bodhi tree is probably the fifth succession of the original tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment.

Mahabodhi Temple

It stands east to the Bodhi tree. Its architectural effect is superb. Its basement is 48 sq. feet and it rises

in the form of a slender pyramid, till it reaches neck, which is cylindrical in shape. The total height of the temple is 170 feet and on the top of the temple are Chatras which symbolise sovereignity of religion. Four towers on its four corners rise gracefully giving the holy structure a poise and 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 discipline life. Inside the temple in the main sanctum, on an altar, is a colossal image of Buddha in a 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 guilded by the devotees. The entire courtyard of the temple is studded with a large number of verities of stupas- votive, decorative, memorative. These stupas are of all sizes built during the past 2500 years ago. Most of them are extremely elegant in structural beauty. It is among top of tourist places to visit in Bodhgaya.

 

Vajrasana

Vahrasana, the seat of stability. The Buddha supposed to have say in meditation gazing east, under the Bodhi tree, where the Vajrasana, the stone platform is kept.

Ancient Railings

The ancient railings which surround the temple are of first century BC and are very interesting monuments of the country.

Chankaramana

This marks the sacred spot of the Buddha’s meditative perambulation during the third week after pious enlightenment. It is believed that wherever the Buddha put his feet lotus sprang up.

 

Animeshlochana

It is believed that the Buddha spent one week here looking towards the great Mahabodhi Tree out of gratitude, without twinkling his eyes.

Ratnagar

The Buddha spent one week here, where it is believed that five colours came out his body.

Lotus Tank

The sacred tank where it is believed that Buddha had spent one week. It is among top of tourist places to visit in Bodhgaya.

 

 

 

 

 

OTHER PLACES OF INTEREST

Archaeological Museum, Tibetan Monastery, Thai Monastery, Myanmar Monastery, Chinese Monastery, Bhutanese Monastery and Sri Lankan Monastery etc. It is among top of tourist places to visit in Bodhgaya.

 

 

 

OTHER ATTRACTIONS

Buddha Jayanti

Bodhgaya is the most sacred venue for the celebration of Buddha’s anniversary. Buddhists from all over the world converge here to offer prayers in a festive atmosphere.

Pitra Paksh Tarpan

This solemn festival is held at Gaya every year in memory of family ancestors. 13 km. from Bodhgaya, Gaya is very sacred pilgrim centre for Hindus. the temple of Vishnupad on the bank of the river Falgu attracts a large number of pilgrims. Devotees also make offerings at the Jewel walk and although a Hindu festival, prayers are also offered to the Lord Buddha.

Art And Craft

The icons, made of stone, are famous of Gaya. The sculptors have perpetuated a tradition of fine craftsmanship.

 

PLACES NEAR BY

RAJGIR

80 km. The Buddha lived in the sixth century BC, Mahavir was born in 567 BC and the traveller in Bihar will encounter them both constantly. Rajgir is 10 km south of Nalanda and sacred to the memory of the founder of Buddhism and Jainism. Lord Buddha spent many months of retreat during the rainy season here, and used to meditate and preach on Griddhkuta, the ‘Hill of the Vultures’. Lord Mahavir spent fourteen years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda. It was in Rajgriha that Lord Buddha delivered some of the famous sermons and converted king Bimbisara of the Magadha Kingdom and countless others to his creed. Once, a great city, Rajgir is just a village today, but vestiges of a legendary and historical past remain, like the cyclopean wall that encircles the town and the marks engraved in rock that local folklore ascribes to Lord Krishna’s chariot. This legend, like many others, associates Rajgir to that distant time when the stirring events recorded in the epic Mahabharata were being enacted.
Rajgir is located in a verdant valley surronded by rocky hills. An aerial ropeway provides the link with a hill-top stupa “Peace Pagoda” built by the Japanese. On one of the hills in the cave of Saptparni, was held the first Buddhist Council. The Saptparni Cave is also the source of the Rajgir Hot Water Springs that have curative properties and are sacred to the Hindus. It is among top of tourist places to visit near Bodhgaya.

Nalanda

96km. where ruins of the great ancient universities have been excavated.
This university of Nalanda was founded in 5th century AD, this great seat of learning flourished until 12th century. Once 2000 teachers and 10,000 students crowded its portals. King after king built monasteries and temples here. It is among top of tourist places to visit near Bodhgaya.

Pawapuri

114 km. A sinless city, it is a great pilgrimage centre of the Jains. Mahavira Teerthankara, the greatest profounder of Jainism had delivered his last sermon here, took Mahaprinirvana here and was cremated here. Jalamandir and Samosharan are two beautiful temples. It is among top of tourist places to visit near Bodhgaya.

Gaya

13 km. from Bodhgaya, Gaya is a very sacred centre for Hindus. Hindus offer oblation for salvation of their dead parents and forefathers. This temple of Vishnupad on the bank of river Falgu attracts a very large number of pilgrims. It is among top of tourist places to visit near Bodhgaya.

Barabar Cave

41 km. It is an important archaeological site. The caves carved out from solid rocks bear details of the life of Buddha. It is among top of tourist places to visit near Bodhgaya.

 

More Tourist Places to Visit in Bihar