Exploring Bodh Gaya on my point of view

The holy place of Gaya is located in Bihar, 110 kilometers from Patna, on its own property. The Mahabodhi Temple, also known as the Bodh Gaya Mandir, is the main reason for its fame. Together, the temple complex's monasteries and viharas (Buddhist learning centers) make up one of the main religious and spiritual hubs for both Hindus and Buddhists. If you want to go about the area, renting a car in Patna would make it simple for you to get to Gaya and see its holy beauties at your own speed.

Things to do in Bodh Gaya

There are numerous other locations that you must see in addition to the Mahabodhi Temple, also known as the Bodh Mandir. These are a few of the top destinations in Bodh Gaya. Explore foreign temples and monasteries: the complex has a Chinese temple, a Japanese Nippon temple, a Thai monastery, a Bhutanese monastery, a Sinhalese temple, and a Burmese temple. Every one of these buildings is a reflection of the mythology, historical narratives, and ethnic art and architecture of that nation. Discover the Tibetan market. Managed by Tibetan exiles in India, the flea market features a vibrant assortment of handcrafted goods, apparel, religious literature, ceremonial artifacts, and food. Take some time to relax in the Mahabodhi temple complex's Muchalinda Lake, a body of water next to it. A mythological story about Buddha and the lake states that, while meditating under the Bodhi Tree for days on end, he was shielded from the storm by the snake king Muchalinda.

Learn about the Archaeological Museum of Bodhgaya - With its remarkable collection of antiquated artifacts, learn about the history of Buddhism.
Explore the Lotus Tank: Take in the peace and quiet of this lovely pond, which is thought to be where Buddha once took a bath.
Spend a day excursion to Rajgir and discover the intriguing historical monuments such as Venuvana Monastery and Gridhakuta Hill in this adjacent old city.

Bodh Gaya tourist destinations

A trip to any of the numerous other Bodh Gaya tourist attractions will make your holiday really holistic, even if the temple and its surrounding complex are the main draws for tourists visiting the area. Other locations close to Bodh Gaya include the following:

1. Gaya:
About the Place: The central district and an ancient town of historical, mythological, and religious significance, Gaya is one of the most sacred places for Hindus and Buddhists alike. The second-largest city of Bihar (after Patna), Gaya has evolved as a pilgrim centre and a major attraction for travellers from all over the world. The significance of this holy town dates back to as far as Ramayana and Mahabharata and to the era of Gautam Buddha.
Timings: NA
Entry Fee: NA
Best time to visit: September to January (April May for the Buddha Purnima celebration)
How to reach: The distance from Gaya to Bodh Gaya is 15.2 KM via NH 22 and takes about 30 minutes by car. There are no buses available on this route and you will need to book a cab or rent a local car to travel.

2. Dungeshwari Hills:
Regarding the Location: It is said that Buddha resided in these hills for a few years before to his journey to Bodh Gaya. Natural rock shelters and caves can be found throughout the highlands. Amid the verdant surroundings, there are still extant old stupas and temple artifacts. Dungeshwari's picturesque surroundings are ideal for day hikes and wildlife observation. There may be a chance to see migratory birds in the winter.
Time: Not available
Admission Charge: None
October through February is the best time to go.
How to get there: You can hire a taxi to travel to the hills and spend the day there. The hills are around 14 kilometers from the temple.

Destinations close to Bodh Gaya

Nalanda:
Nalanda, which is around 90 kilometers away from Bodh Gaya, is well-known for the historic Nalanda University ruins, which are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Discover the rich history of one of the world's oldest institutions by exploring the archeological remnants.

Caves of Barabar:
The historic rock-cut caves known as the Barabar Caves are situated roughly 60 kilometers away from Bodh Gaya and date back to the Mauryan era. Admire these caves' exquisite sculptures and architectural feats.

The Pawapuri:
Approximately ninety-five kilometers from Bodh Gaya, the holy Jain pilgrimage site of Pawapuri is located. The birthplace of Jainism, Lord Mahavira, is thought to have reached Nirvana there. Take in the spiritual atmosphere by visiting the stunning marble Jal Mandir.

Places to eat in Bodh Gaya

City Caf Restaurant
Siam Thai Restaurant
Hari Om International Cafe
Loyag Tibetan Restaurant
Nirvana The Veg Cafe

About Bodh Gaya

It is also recognized as the center of Buddhism study and culture. This location in Gaya is also revered, particularly the Mahabodhi tree, which is thought to be the spot where Buddha attained enlightenment. Gaya is well-known for this historical and theological allusion, which is still present on the property. Of the four main pilgrimage sites associated with the life and teachings of the Buddha, this location is considered the most significant in Buddhism. The other three are Sarnath, Kushinagar, and Lumbini. The most sacred of all is the temple at Gaya. Situated on the banks of the Lilajan River, the location was known as Uruwela during the time of Buddha. The history of Bodh Gaya begins in the third century BCE, under the reign of Emperor Ashoka. When he started his Buddhist path of soul-searching, he commissioned the construction of the first temple in Gaya. One of the earliest Buddhist temples constructed entirely of brick was the Mahabodhi Temple. Gaya Temple's architectural design
It is believed that the temple's architecture and construction had a significant impact on succeeding generations' Indian architectural trends. The complex has six other sacred areas encircled by old votive stupas, the 50-meter-tall main temple, the Vajrasana, also known as the Diamond Throne of Buddha, and the sacred Bodhi tree. Additionally, a Lotus Pond is located directly outside the cage. Circular passageways with two or three storeys encircle the pond regions and the temple.
The main temple is constructed in the manner of a classical Indian temple and is 11 meters tall. Both the east and the north have access points. Delicate carvings of flowers and geese adorn the moldings. There are other Buddha sculptures and images in the niches above these. After that, the niches ascend to the temple tower.
There are four Buddha sculptures housed in little rooms on each of the temple's four corners. There are towers in every one of these chambers. The temple is situated in front of a little courtyard and a gateway that opens into the main sanctum, a small chamber with a five-foot-tall gold statue of the Buddha sitting on a dais. It was not until the 18th century that the term Bodh Gaya was in use. The location was formerly known as Sambodhi, Vajrasana, Uruwela, or Mahabodhi. The main monastery is called Bodhimanda vihara, after Ashoka.
In addition to the Mahabodhi Temple, the vast Gaya complex is home to a number of other monasteries and temples that were constructed by Ashoka's successor kings and by other Buddhist communities from places where Buddha traveled and preached, including Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, and Japan. As a result, Gaya started to attract Buddhists from all over the world. The majority of these buildings were built in the fifth and sixth centuries CE.
The Great Buddha Statue, a massive 80-foot statue of Buddha, is currently housed within the compound. In 1989, it was opened and dedicated by the 14th Dalai Lama.

Hidden facts about Bodh Gaya
The Maha Bodhi tree, which originated in Sri Lanka, was the parent of the Bodhi tree that is now located on the complex's grounds.
200 years had passed after the Buddha's nirvana when Ashoka came here in 250 BCE to build a monastery and transform the site into a sacred shrine.
The first enormous Buddha statue ever constructed in Indian history is the Great Buddha statue that stands today.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Bodh Gaya
The temple located in Bihar's Bodh Gaya is acknowledged as a World Heritage site due to its significant influence on Indian religion, spirituality, and culture. This 4.8600-hectare complex contains famous artifacts from the fifth and sixth centuries CE that illustrate the ancient history of the Indian subcontinent during this time. Gaya continues to be a highly regarded hub for India's cultural legacy and a center of study and self-discovery for Buddhists and other religious communities alike. As a result, the Mahabodhi Temple and its surrounds were designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2002.

Ways to arrange a trip to Bodh Gaya

How to go to Bodh Gaya
You'll see that Bodh Gaya has restrictions on auto rickshaws, autos, and buses in order to uphold civility and harmony. To enter, private vehicles need a special permit.

By Train: The closest major railhead is Patna, and the closest train station is Gaya Junction, which is located near Bodh Gaya. Numerous trains departing from Bodh Gaya every day and every week link it to other important Indian cities.
By Road Patna, the state capital, and other Bihar towns are easily accessible from Gaya. By car, via NH 22, Bodh Gaya is 110 kilometers away from Patna and takes about 4 hours. Rajgir is served by a number of state-run busses. Additionally, BSTDC offers a unique caravan service between Patna and Bodh Gaya known as Wonder on Wheel. In order to travel to Bodh Gaya and experience a beautiful road ride, you can also reserve a taxi from Patna.
Through Air- Around 7 kilometers away, in Gaya, is the closest airport. There are numerous daily flights from other cities, including Delhi, Allahabad, Patna, Kolkata, and Varanasi. To get here, you can rent a car or reserve a cab from the Patna airport.

The ideal time to go to Bodh Gaya
Gaya's climate is typical of the plains around the Ganges, with hot, muggy summers and frigid, winters. For this reason, October through March is the busiest travel season because of the nice weather, which allows Buddhist devotees to explore a variety of spiritual sites.

Accomodations

Marasa Sarovar Premiere
Regency Hotel
Hotel Raj Darbar
Hotel Heritage
Dhamma Grand Hotel and many more