Places to See in Bodh Gaya - Bodh Gaya Tourist Attractions

Famous Tourist Attractions of Bodh Gaya in India. Places to See in Bodhgaya.

Bodh Gaya, being the place where Gautam Buddha had learnt the eternal truth, is a popular tourist destination among Buddhists across the globe. There are a number of Buddhist monuments, temples and monasteries to see in Bodh Gaya. In addition to that, Bodh gaya also holds great importance for the believers of the Hindu faith. Here are some of the important tourist attractions of Bodh Gaya.

Great Buddha Statue
The eighty feet statue of Lord Buddha is a major attraction in Bodhgaya. The statue is in Dhyan Mudra, i.e. meditation posture on an inverted lotus. The statue is made of red granite and sandstone blocks. According to historical evidence, 12000 masons made the statue in time of seven years. Daijokyo Sect of Japan helped build this statue. The Dalai Lama consecrated the statue on November 18 1989.

Mahabodhi Temple
The tree under which Gautama Buddha had meditated and learnt the eternal knowledge is known as the Bodhi Tree. Later on Buddhist king Ashoka built a shrine at the spot, which subsequently developed into a temple. The contemporary world knows the temple as Mahabodhi temple. The temple is a remarkable manifestation of the architectural dexterity of our artisans and one cannot but help admiring the architectural skills the temple displays. This pyramid shaped temple has four towers adorning its four corners.

Dungeswari Caves
Dungeswari caves located twelve kilometers away from Bodh Gaya are mysterious. One of these caves houses a statute of Buddha representing him when he was leading a life of austerity. These caves with statues, stone carvings, paintings, and graphics of Lord Buddha and his life, tell us the story of the life of Buddha.

Bodhi Tree
Gautam Sidhartha had learnt the eternal knowledge of life and death under this tree. Though the actual tree is not alive, the sapling of the original tree brought from Sri Lanka is still here. In and around the 3rd century B.C Sanghamitta, the daughter of Emperor Asoka brought a branch of this Bodhi tree and planted it in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka where it still grows today. The existing tree is more than 122 years old and quadrangular stone railings of two types representing two different style and material surround it.

Bodhi Sarovar
The pond where Gautam took bath before going in for meditation has great religious importance for Buddhists. Situated towards the west of Bodhi temple, it gives the feeling of nostalgia where you feel as if you are seeing the young prince going and coming for bath. While in Bodh Gaya the pond is worth visiting.

Chankaramana
As it is believed when Gautam learned the eternal knowledge, he was in dilemma whether to disclose it to the world or not, and in this dilemma he started walking. It is believed that wherever Buddha put his feet lotuses sprang up. The spot is located in the north of the Bodhi Temple.

Bodh Gaya Weather - Bodh Gaya Climate & Weather

Summer: Max: 45.5ºC; Min: 25.5 ºC
Winter: Max: 28 ºC; Min: -1 ºC
Best season to visit Bodh Gaya: Oct - Feb
Rainfall: 214 cm annually

The city of Bodh Gaya is located at an altitude of 24º 41' 45'' N. Latitude and 85º 2' 22'' E. Longitude. Let’s have a quick look at the weather and climatic conditions of Bodh Gaya.

Summer in Bodh Gaya
Summers are hot in Bodh Gaya. The mercury rises up to 45º C. You should carry cotton clothes to feel comfortable in hot weather and to absorb sweating.

Monsoon in Bodh Gaya
During the Monsoon season, the whole of North India gets huge rainfall and Bodh Gaya is no exception to it. It is advisable to avoid traveling to these areas during the Monsoon months of the year.

Winter
Winter months are pleasant in and around Bodh Gaya town. You can visit the holy city anytime between October to March. During this period, the temperature is moderate and inviting. You must carry warm woolen clothes while visiting Bodh Gaya during December-January.

How to Reach Bodh Gaya - Reaching Bodh Gaya India

Bodh Gaya is included in four most important pilgrim destinations where a Buddhist has to visit in lifetime. Bodh Gaya is the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. Bodh Gaya today attracts tourists from all across the globe including of Korea, Japan, Singapore, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. All the modern mode of transport connects the place with other places of the country. Easy accessibility makes this place a popular tourist destination.

By Rail
A good railway network connects Bodh Gaya with other major cities of India. A whole range of trains is available to reach Bodh Gaya. Gaya is the nearest railhead to Bodh Gaya at the distance of 17 kilometers. Besides ordinary trains, Indian Railway has introduced a Bodh Gaya special ‘Buddha Parikrama Express’ specifically meant to cater Buddhist spiritual tourists. The train links all the important places relevant to Buddhists.

By Road
Besides a good network or railway tracks, Bodh Gaya is well connected by roads to various cities of India. The main bus stand is near Sujata Bridge on the bank of Falgu River on the northeastern edge of the town. Gaya is the nearest transport hub which is connected with Grand Trunk Road and from where you can catch direct busses to reach Patna, Nalanda, Rajgir and Varanasi. Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation also runs buses from Patna- Bodhgaya route twice a day.

By Air
Gaya is the nearest airport from Bodh Gaya. It is located at a distance of 17 kilometers. Various domestic airlines operate from Gaya to other metro cities of India. You can also land at Patna and board taxis and buses to reach Bodh Gaya which is around 135 kilometers from Patna.

Bodh Gaya India - Bodhgaya - Bodh Gaya Buddhist Temples

Bodh Gaya is the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under the sacred Asvatta tree (later termed Bodhi Tree). Buddhists all across the world consider the place the most sacred and this has become a pilgrim destination for them. Buddhists from all over the world have built temples here in Bodh Gaya. Bodh Gaya is located about 13 km from Gaya, 90 kilometers away from Patna, and 450 km west of Kolkata.

Bodh Gaya houses a splendid and magnificent Mahabodhi temple and the temple has Bodhi Tree. Both the temple and the Bodhi Tree are sacred for Buddhists across the globe. The temple is an architectural amalgamation of many centuries, cultures, and heritages. While its architecture has a distinct stamp of the Gupta era, it has later ages inscriptions describing visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and China between seventh and 10th century AD. It is perhaps still the same temple Hieuen Tsang visited in 7th century.

In the year 1953, Bodh Gaya revisited its glory. A new stupa with the help of Japanese governments’ donation was built in Gaya. Buddhists from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, Korea, and Japan often visit to Bodh Gaya. Now one can see many Buddhist monasteries in and around the complex. Tourism peaks during winter season.