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| Bodhgaya Introduction |
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 The life of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is associated with the small town of Bodhgaya. It is one of the four holiest cities of Buddhist faith. The Mahabodhi temple is the main attraction of this town and is located near the spot where Lord Buddha attained spiritual enlightenment. Bodhgaya is not only an important Buddhist pilgrim center, but it is also an important center for the study of Buddhism. |
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| Bodhgaya Tourist Attractions |
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| § Mahabodhi Temple |
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The main tourist attraction in Bodhgaya is the Mahabodhi temple, has the red sandstone slab under this tree is said to be the throne on which Buddha sat. The Mahabodhi temple stands on the 3rd-century-BC shrine, erected by Ashoka. It is intricately carved and houses a large gilded image of Buddha. |
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| § Monastries |
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A number of countries like Japan, Burma, China, Sri Lanka, Korea, Nepal, etc., where Buddhism is an important faith, have built their respective monasteries and temples in Bodhgaya. The Archeological Museum of Bodhgaya is another important place to visit in this small town. |
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| § Events and Festivals |
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The meditation institutes of Bodhgaya organize a number of conventions, special meetings and discourses. These are usually held in the months of January and February. Important Buddhist religious festivals are celebrated with great fervor in Bodhgaya. |
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| Weekend Getaways Around Bodhgaya |
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| § Gaya |
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The town of Gaya is 13 kms from Bodhgaya, which is also located on the Falgu River. As Bodhgaya is for the Buddhists, Gaya is an important pilgrim place for the Hindus. |
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| § Nalanda |
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Nalanda, one of the greatest centers of learning in the ancient times, is located around 50 kms away from Bodhgaya. A small village now, Nalanda is famous for its monastery that was the center of Buddhist way of learning and from where Buddhism flamed out to places like China, Tibet South-East Asia. |
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| § Rajgir |
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Rajgir is famous for rock-cut caves, forts, Buddhist ruins, shell inscriptions, Hindu and Jain temples and Muslim tombs. Located 34 kms of Bodhgaya, Rajgir was the place where first Buddhist Council was held. Lord Buddha spent a major period of his life in Rajgir, which was at that time was the capital of powerful Magadha Empire. |
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