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Editor's Note

Bodhgaya

For all those on a spiritual quest, Bodhgaya in Bihar is one of the four holiest cities of Buddhist faith. It is deeply associated with the life of Gautam Buddha and it boasts of historical and archeological treasures and witnesses a myriad of tourists and visitors each year to catch a glimpse of its architectural marvels. Devoted Buddhists from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Tibet, Thailand, China, Bhutan and Japan, and tourists from all over throng Bodhgaya to study Buddhism and the art of meditation. The main attraction here is the Mahabodhi Temple, within which is housed the Bodhi Tree, where Buddha attained salvation. Among other interesting temples are the Japanese Temple with its gold statues and the Thai Temple with its ornate Tibetan paintings and a Bhutanese shrine with bright colored carvings of their god. The real essence of Buddhism, you must not miss the Buddh Purnima celebrations or the 3-week long festival for world peace, which offer meditation and scripture recitations and distribution of alms to the poor. This absolutely enchanting Buddhist pilgrimage is not just a historical site, but is a center of living faith.

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	<title>Editor's Note</title>
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 <td class="body-text" align="justify"><img src="http://www.travelguru.com/travelguide/images/bodhgaya-editor.jpg" hspace="15" width="220" height="140" class="body-img" alt="Bodhgaya" align="right" />For all those on a spiritual quest, Bodhgaya in Bihar is one of the four holiest cities of Buddhist faith. It is deeply associated with the life of Gautam Buddha and it boasts of historical and archeological treasures and witnesses a myriad of tourists and visitors each year to catch a glimpse of its architectural marvels. Devoted Buddhists from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Tibet, Thailand, China, Bhutan and Japan, and tourists from all over throng Bodhgaya to study Buddhism and the art of meditation. The main attraction here is the Mahabodhi Temple, within which is housed the Bodhi Tree, where Buddha attained salvation. Among other interesting temples are the Japanese Temple with its gold statues and the Thai Temple with its ornate Tibetan paintings and a Bhutanese shrine with bright colored carvings of their god. The real essence of Buddhism, you must not miss the Buddh Purnima celebrations or the 3-week long festival for world peace, which offer meditation and scripture recitations and distribution of alms to the poor. This absolutely enchanting Buddhist pilgrimage is not just a historical site, but is a center of living faith.</td>
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	<title>Fast Facts</title>
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 <td width="23%" valign="top">Climate</td>
 <td width="77%"><table class="body-text" width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2">
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 <td width="12%" valign="top"><img src="http://www.travelguru.com/travelguide/images/icons_03.gif" alt="Summer" width="48" height="44" /></td>
 <td width="74%" valign="top">Summer 
 April-June, Hot & Tropical 
Temperatures - 27ÂºC -47ÂºC </td>
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 <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="http://www.travelguru.com/travelguide/images/icons_10.gif" alt="Monsoon" width="48" height="44" /></td>
 <td valign="top">Monsoons 
 Mid-June-Mid-September, Moderate rainfall and dip in temperature Annual rainfall - 186 cms</td>
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	 <tr>
 <td align="left" valign="top"><img src="http://www.travelguru.com/travelguide/images/icons_06.gif" alt="Winter" width="48" height="44" /></td>
 <td valign="top">Winter 
 October-February, Cold, Heavy Mists, Fog 
Temperatures - 28ÂºC - 4ÂºC</td>
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 <td valign="top" class="climate-head">Local Languages:</td>
 <td valign="top" class="body-text">Bhojpuri, Hindi and English</td>
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 <td valign="top" class="climate-head">Best Time to Visit:</td>
 <td valign="top" class="body-text">December-January, when the weather is cool and special Buddhist meditation programs are organized.</td>
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 <td valign="top" class="climate-head">Clothing:</td>
 <td valign="top" class="body-text">Cotton during summers & light woolen during winters</td>
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 <td valign="top" class="body-text">Moving Around: </td>
 <td valign="top" class="body-text">
The best option to explore this tiny city is to hire a car from Gaya or Patna. Alternately, auto rickshaws, cycle rickshaws and horse-drawn carts, called tongas are available for a city tour. </td>
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 <td valign="top" class="climate-head">Tourist Offices</td>
 <td valign="top" class="body-text">Tourist Complex Bodhgaya 
Tel: 0631-2200672
 
Government of India Tourist Office 
Room No.151, 162 Tourist Bhawan
Birchand Patel Marg 
Patna 
Tel: 0612-2226721</td>
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<item>
	<title>What to See</title>
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 <td class="body-text" align="justify"><img src="http://www.travelguru.com/travelguide/images/bodhgaya-what-to-see.jpg" hspace="15" width="220" height="140" class="body-img" alt="Bodhgaya" align="right" />Mahabodhi Temple: Undoubtedly Bodhgaya's main attraction, the Mahabodhi temple is declared as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The base of the temple is a square measuring over 45 metres and it stretches in a pyramid shape, ending in a smaller square platform towards the top. The exterior of the temple is covered with scenes from Buddha's life. Within the temple is a colossal image of the Buddha in a seated position, touching the earth with his right hand. The statue is made of black stone, though it has been covered in gold and enrobed in bright orange robes.
 
 
 The outer courtyard has several smaller stupas and Buddha statues, some dating to several hundred years. Among these oldest structures, is the Bodhi Tree, which is actually a descendent of the tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. It is also the spot marked as the Jewel Walk, where Buddha is believed to have practiced walking meditation for seven days after his enlightenment. 
 Owing to its close association to Buddha, the tree has great significance. In fact, prior to Buddha's image, the tree was used as a symbol to represent him. It is believed that pilgrims carried and planted leaves and seeds of the Bodhi Tree to their monasteries as a symbol of Buddhist teachings. 
 Also known as Diamond Throne or Thunder Seat, Vajrasana is a large rectangular slab of red sandstone covered with a gold canopy under the Bodhi Tree. This marks the spot where Buddha was seated when he attained enlightenment. The top of the canopy is decorated with an unusual geometric design and this seat is decorated with flowers and an urn to collect donations or offerings. 
 A whitewashed temple, Animeshlochana Chaitya is located off the walk to the Mahabodhi Temple. A miniature of the grand temple, it marks the spot where Buddha spent a week gazing at the Bodhi Tree in gratitude after attaining enlightenment. It is said that he stood here unblinking (animesh; hence the name). 
 Also known as the Jewel Walk, Chankamana is a raised platform where Buddha's foot impression is visible. Legends have it that Buddha walked here in meditation. It is said that wherever he walked, lotus flowers sprung up and this is depicted by the 18-lotus carvings on the platform.
 Located on the north-west of the main temple, Ratnaghara is a roofless shrine where Buddha is believed to have meditated. Legends have it that while he meditated here, a mukti-hued ray of light emanated from his body and these are the colours that are found on the prayer flags of countries that follow Buddhism. 
 Buddha is believed to have spent the fifth week of meditation under the Ajapala Nigrodha Tree. His sixth week of meditation was spent near the Muchalinda Lake, which has a statue of the Buddha in the centre of the lake with a huge serpent protecting him. The final stop for devotees in the temple complex is the Rajayatna Tree, where Buddha spent his seventh week of meditation. 
 Open from 5.00 am-9.00 pm 
 Entry free; Still camera photography: Rs 20, video: Rs. 300 Footwear to be deposited at designated place outside the temple: Rs 1 per pair 
 Tibetan Temple: Located near the Mahabodhi Temple, this temple houses within it a large collection of Buddhist paintings and thangkas and a statue of Maitreya Buddha. A particularly striking feature is the huge Dharma Chakra or wheel of Law. It is believed that anyone rotating this heavy wheel three times in succession will be freed of all sin. 
 Bodhi Sarovar: This pond is situated towards the west of the Bodhi Temple and is believed to be the place where Buddha bathed before going into meditation. 
 The Archeological Museum: Maintained and managed by the Archeological Survey of India, the museum houses a large collection of stone sculptures and artifacts. The museum has a small collection of Buddha statues and pillars found in the area as well as bronze statues that date back to the Stone Age and Gupta period. 
 Open from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm, Closed on Friday 
 Entry fee - Rs 2 
 Monasteries and Temples: There are a number of monasteries and Buddhist temples in Bodhgaya, that offer tourist a unique opportunity to experience Buddhist culture. You can head out to the Thai Monastery which is brightly decorated like the one in Thailand. The Japanese Temple with its blue tiled roof is magnificent with its canopied ceiling. This large complex of the international societies in Bodhgaya houses offices, study areas, library and rooms for visitors. The Karma Temple and Namgyal Monastery houses sizeable prayer wheels and the Indosan Nipponji Temple is donned with a Japanese Pagoda roof. Wat Bodhgaya is another impressive temple that faces the main road next to the tourist bungalow. The Bhutanese temple has more or less a conventional architecture with a beautiful landscaped garden, while the Burmese Temple is shaped like a pagoda. There is a temple built by the Chinese too. It is white in colour and its architecture is a blend of traditional Chinese and Indian styles. The Buddha statue within is believed to have come from China two centuries ago. 
 Sujatha Sthane: Located across the dried Niranjan River is the sacred spot Sujatha Sthane. It is believed to be the spot where Sujatha, a young village woman offered prince Siddhartha a bowl of rice pudding, which helped him get a miraculous recovery from his ailment. 
 Meditation and Learning: The Bodhgaya International Vipassana Meditation Centre runs intensive 10 day vipassana courses monthly. There's the International Meditation centre that runs courses year round. You can take free Zazen sessions (Zen meditation) at the Nipponji Temple early mornings and evenings.</td>
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	<title>Gourmet Feasts</title>
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 <td class="body-text" align="justify">Though limited, there are a few popular restaurants, which offer you range of Indian cuisines along with Chinese and Continental as well. The Sujata Hotel, located near the Mahabodhi Temple is popular among travelers and locals alike. You can try out their exclusive 24-hour Coffee Shop or their spacious restaurant, which serves a-la-carte and a good selection of Indian, Continental, and South-East Asian cuisine. The Fujia Green serves great Tibetan fare and is a good place to try momos (dumplings) and Tibetan noodles. Another great place for Tibetan cuisine is the Om Restaurant, close to the main temple on Bodhgaya Road, which is particularly popular with backpackers. Shiva Hotel is a place that serves a good variety of international fare. Situated in the Lotus Nikko hotel is a restaurant that serves Indian, Chinese, and Continental Cuisine. Do visit the Root Institute where you can indulge in their delectable selection of vegetarian meals. Hotel Royal Residency has an exquisite Chinese restaurant where you can truly feel the great air of Indian traditional hospitality. </td>
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<item>
	<title>Shopping Delights</title>
	<link></link>
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 		<td class="body-text"><img src="http://www.travelguru.com/travelguide/images/bodhgaya-shopping.jpg" hspace="15" width="220" height="140" class="body-img" alt="Bodhgaya" align="right" />Not a place for designer stuff, though shopping in Bodhgaya is definitely interesting and enjoyable. There are loads of shops all along the path towards the famous Mahabodhi Temple that exhibit an array of decorative items, associated with Buddhism. Here you can find numerous shopping stalls selling Buddha memorabilia, the most popular being the different varieties of Lord Buddha statues. You can also visit the Tibetan refugee market which is a great place to pick up some winter woolens. And of course there are smaller roadside shops that sell a variety of handicrafts such as sandal wood beads, wooden crafts and artifacts. </td>
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<item>
	<title>Festive Celebrations</title>
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 <td class="body-text" align="justify"><img src="http://www.travelguru.com/travelguide/images/bodhgaya-festival.jpg" hspace="15" width="220" height="140" class="body-img" alt="Bodhgaya" align="right" />
 A center of Buddhist learning and faith, all Buddhist religious festivals are celebrated with great fervor. Buddha Jayanti or the birth of Lord Buddha is celebrated on the full moon night in Vaisakha (either in April or May). It was also on Buddha Poornima that he attained enlightenment and ultimately after preaching the five principles of life and the path of eight-fold truth for long, he attained 'Nirvana'. This festival is marked with prayer meets, sermons on the life of Buddha, religious discourses, continuous recitation of Buddhist scriptures, group meditation, processions and worship of the statue of Buddha. The Mahabodhi Temple, at this time dons a colourful appearance and is bedecked with flowers and colourful flags. Another festival celebrated with great fervour is the Nyingma Monlam Chenmo in January, which is a 3-week long festival for world peace and is attended by the Dalai Lama himself. Other than these, almost all year through, especially between October and March, the Root Institute offers series of introductory and intermediate-level courses on Tibetan Buddhist meditation and philosophy. Covering a wide range of Buddhist topics, these teachings speak of practical application of the Buddha's teachings in everyday life.</td>
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<item>
	<title>Staying There</title>
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This popular tourist spot has plenty of hotels suiting different budgets. Of course, considering the number of foreign travelers, most hotels accept foreign currencies. Among its popular hotels is the Hotel Royal Residency, which is believed to be one of the best in Bodhgaya. <a href="http://hotels.travelguru.com/moreinfo.do?strHotelId=00001578&link=HotelOverview&hotelName=Hotel+Siddhartha+International&hotelClass=3&address1=Station+Road&address2=&city=Gaya&state=Bihar&pinCode=823002&country=India&strAffiliateCode=00000080&strCurrency=INR&searchChoice=right">Hotel Siddhartha International</a> ranges as budget options being close to the main temple and offering clean rooms and good vegetarian fare. For non-Indian travelers, a good option would be the Root Institute for Wisdom Culture has neat rooms and magnificent views of the surroundings and is a 20-minute walk to the main temple complex. The Bihar State Tourism also offers hotels here, all having comfortable options. An important point for all hotels in Bodhgaya - alcohol is strictly no-no and most restaurants offers vegetarian fares only.</td>
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<item>
	<title>Getting There</title>
	<link></link>
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 <td width="5%" valign="middle" class="climate-head">Air:</td>
 <td width="5%" valign="top" class="body-text"><img src="http://www.travelguru.com/travelguide/images/icon-air.gif" alt="Air" width="48" height="44" /></td>
 <td width="75%" valign="middle" class="body-text">Gaya airport is located at a distance of 13 km from Bodhgaya and Patna, 105 kms away from Bodhgaya. Patna airport is connected to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkatta, Lucknow and Ranchi while Gaya airport is a smaller International airport. Hire a cab to reach Bodhgaya from either of the airports.</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td valign="middle" class="climate-head">Rail: </td>
 <td valign="top" class="body-text"><img src="http://www.travelguru.com/travelguide/images/icon-rail.gif" alt="Railway" width="48" height="44" /></td>
 <td valign="middle" class="body-text">The nearest Railway station is Gaya located 16 kms away. Gaya is a major railhead and is connected to the rest of India. </td>
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 <td valign="top" height="8" class="climate-head"></td>
 <td valign="top" class="body-text"></td>
 <td valign="top" class="body-text"></td>
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 <td valign="middle" class="climate-head">Road:</td>
 <td valign="top" class="body-text"><img src="http://www.travelguru.com/travelguide/images/icon-road.gif" alt="Roadways" width="48" height="44" /></td>
 <td valign="middle" class="body-text"> For Buddhist pilgrims, the best option for travel is to reach Patna or Gaya, either by air or train, and then travel to Bodhgaya. Regular direct bus services are available from Gaya, Patna, Nalanda, and Varanasi.</td>
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<item>
	<title>Trivia</title>
	<link></link>
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 <td class="body-text" align="justify"><img src="http://www.travelguru.com/travelguide/images/bodhgaya-trivia.jpg" hspace="15" width="220" height="140" class="body-img" alt="Bodhgaya" align="right" />The statue in the Mahabodhi Temple is believed to be an exact likeness of Buddha himself. When the temple was constructed, no sculptor good enough to build a statue could be found. One day a man appeared asking to do the job. He asked for a pile of scented clay and a lit lamp to be placed within the shrine and the door to be closed for six months. However, the door was opened by curious visitors four days before the actual day. They found inside a remarkable statue, perfectly created, except a small unfinished part. Some days later, a monk who slept in the sanctum dreamt of Buddha, who said he himself had created the statue. Hence the Mahabodhi statue came to be the most revered in the Buddhist society, with its replicas appearing in Nalanda, Vikramshila and the great stupa at Gyantse.</td>
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