Bodh Gaya is a city in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is famous for being
the place of Buddha's attainment of Enlightenment.
Historically, it was known as the Bodhimanda (ground round the Bodhi-tree), and
there was a large monastic settlement there. The main monastery of Bodh gaya
used to be called the Bodhimanda-vihara (Pali). Now it is called the Mahabodhi
Temple.
According to Buddhist traditions, circa 500 BC Prince Gautama Siddhartha, wandering as a monk, reached the sylvan banks of Falgu River, near the city of Gaya. There he sat in meditation under a bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa). After three days and three nights of meditation, Siddharta attained enlightenment and insight, and the answers that he had sought. He then spent seven weeks at seven different spots in the vicinity meditating and considering his experience. After seven weeks, he travelled to Sarnath, where he began teaching Buddhism.
PLACE TO VISIT
Mahabodhi temple - The complex, located about 96 kilometers from Patna, at contains the Mahabodhi Temple with the diamond throne (called the Vajrasana) and the holy Bodhi tree. This tree was originally a sapling of the Sri Maha Bodhi tree in Sri Lanka, itself grown from a sapling of the original Bodhi tree.
It is believed that 250 years after the Enlightenment of the Buddha, Emperor Asoka visited Bodh Gaya. He is considered to be the founder of the original Mahabodhi temple. It consisted of an elongated spire crowned by a miniature stupa and a chhatravali on a platform. A double flight of steps led up to the platform and the upper sanctum. The mouldings on the spire contained Buddha images in niches. Some historians believe that the temple was constructed or renovated in the 1st century during the Kushan period. With the decline of Buddhism in India, the temple was abandoned and forgotten, buried under layers of soil and sand.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - The nearest airport is at Gaya (16kms) - Druk Air offer competitive prices on their flights from Bangkok.
By train - The nearest Railway station is Gaya (16kms).
By bus - There is main road connecting Bodhgaya and Gaya. The Bihar State
Tourist Development Coporation runs daily deluxe bus services to and from Bodh
Gaya.
