FACTS & FIGURES
Population
25, 000
Languages
Hindi, Vajjika, Maithili, & English
Best time to visit
October to March
STD Code
06225
LOCATION
Vaishali is situated in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, around 55 km off Patna, the capital of the state. Vaishali extends from latitude 25° in the North to longitude 85° in the East. The town, an important place for both the Buddhists and Jains, is well connected to other important cities in Bihar by road.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
As in other places in upper Gangetic plain, Vaishali has an extreme climate. The summers are hot with the maximum temperature touching 45° C. On the other hand, winters are cold and the minimum temperature can go down to 6°C. The best season to visit this place is winter i.e. October to March.
HISTORY
Believed to be the first republic in the world, Vaishali has taken its name from King Vishal of the Mahabharat age. He is said to have constructed a great fort here, which is now in ruins. Vaishali is a great Buddhist pilgrimage and also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. It is said that the Buddha visited this place thrice and spent quite a long time here. The Buddha also delivered his last sermon at Vaishali and announced his Nirvana here. After his death, Vaishali also held the second Buddhist Council.
The great Lichchavi clan ruled Vaishali in the sixth century BC, and the empire extended up to the hills of Nepal. The Lichchavi state is considered to be the first republican state of Asia. According to the Jataka stories, (Buddhist story books giving the account of different births of the Buddha), Vaishali was ruled by some 7707 kings of the Lichchavi clan. Ajatshatru, the great Magadh King, annexed Vaishali in the fifth century BC and after that Vaishali gradually lost its glory and power.
Mahavira, the last Tirthankar of Jainism, was born in Kundupur near Vaishali. The father of Mahavira was King Siddartha and his mother Trishala was the sister of King Chetaka of Vaishali. Since the wealth of his father's kingdom had increased during the pregnancy, the child was called Vardhaman. He was named Mahavira because he showed great courage in a very young age. After the death of his parents at the age of 30, he renounced the world after fasting for two days under an Ashoka tree in Vaishali.
Vaishali is also famous as the land of Ambapali, the great Indian dancer who is related to many folktales. Ambapali was a beautiful and talented courtesan, who later took sanyas to follow the path of the Buddha.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Kolhua is the first important place when one starts exploring Vaishali. There is a huge iron pillar beside a brick stupa here, believed to be constructed by King Ashoka. The pillar was constructed to commemorate the last sermon of the Buddha here. Near the pillar are ruins of a monastery and a large tank where the Buddha used to reside during his stay here.
The Vaishali Museum is a great place for the tourists interested in archeology. The museum houses an array of remains discovered at the various sites in Vaishali. Close to the museum is a circular tin shed covering the remnants of the stupa, which once housed the Buddha's funeral ashes.
At one side of the museum is the Abhishek Pushkarani or the coronation tank of the Lichchavi's. A little distance away is Raja Vishal Ka Garh, an excavated site believed to be the remains of the ancient parliament house where the federal assembly of the Lichchavi government gathered to discuss and regulate the ancient republic.
The Bawan Pokhar Temple, built during the Pala period, stands on the northern bank of a tank known as Bawan Pokhar and enshrines beautiful images of several Hindu gods.
A major attraction in Vaishali is the Vishwa Shanti Stupa (pillar of peace), one of the newest additions to this important site. This monument, built on the south bank of the coronation tank, is one of the highest in the world and has been built in collaboration with the Japanese government.
PLACES AROUND VAISHALI
Vaishali is a part of the famous Buddhist Circuit comprising Sarnath, Kushinagar, Bodhgaya, and Kushinagar. Nearby cities such as Patna, Rajgir, and Bodhgaya are some of the places worth exploring. Madhubani, around 100 km from Vaishali, is famous for its paintings by the same name and can be reached easily by road. Patna, the capital of Bihar is quite close by and is also worth a visit. It is one of the few cities in the world having a long and extremely rich history, as it was once the capital of the mighty Magadh empire. Nearby cities such as Rajgir, Nalanda, and Bodhgaya are very important sites to explore if one has an interest in Buddhism and the culture and society during those days. Four kilometers off Vaishali is Kundupur, the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. There is a plaque at the site proclaiming it to be the place where the 24th Tirthankar of the Jains was born.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
The Vaishali Mahotsav in mid April celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira. Situated at a distance of 35 km from Vaishali is the town of Sonepur, which hosts Asia's largest cattle fair, the Harihar Kshetra Mela.
WHERE TO STAY
There are moderate accommodation options available in Vaishali. Very few tourists stay overnight in Vaishali due to its limited accommodation options. It is better to stay in Patna and venture out for Vaishali early in the morning.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport from Vaishali is Patna, 55 km away. One can take flights for Delhi, Calcutta, Kathmandu, Varanasi, and Lucknow from there.
BY RAIL - The nearest railhead is Hajipur, 35 km, which is well connected to major cities of India like Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Chennai, and Varanasi by regular trains.
BY ROAD - Roads are the most suitable means to reach Vaishali. There are regular buses for Patna and other cities of North Bihar from Vaishali. Tourist coaches with guides are also available from Patna for a tour of Vaishali.
Distances of some important cities of Bihar from Vaishali are Patna 55 km, Hajipur 35 km, Muzaffarpur 37 km, Bodhgaya 163 km, Rajgir 145 km, and Nalanda 140 km.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Vaishali. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Vaishali Pleasant.
Showing posts with label Tourism of Bihar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tourism of Bihar. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
RAJGIR
FACTS & FIGURES
Best time to visit
October to March
Languages
Hindi & English
STD Code
06119
LOCATION
It is located in the Indian state of Bihar about 60 km southeast of the capital Patna. Rajgir is famous for rock-cut caves, forts, Buddhist ruins, shell inscriptions, Hindu and Jain temples and Muslim tombs. The place is well connected to other parts of Bihar and eastern India through railway and roads.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The climate of Rajgir like the other parts of the Gangetic plains is extreme. The summer months from April to July are hot and humid here and the average temperature can reach approximately 45°C and the relative humidity can go up to around 80 percent. Winters are cold with the average night temperature at around 10°C. Normally, the average temperature stays around 20°C. Monsoon touches this region in July/August and continues till September.
HISTORY
Now a small town, Rajgir was once the capital of the kingdom of the mighty Magadh empire and was known by various names such as Vasumati, Barhdrathpura, Girivraja, Kusagrapura, and Rajgriha. The great Hindu epic Ramayana says that the mythical king Vasu, a son of Lord Brahma, founded this town and named it Vasumati.
According to the Mahabharata, Jarasandha who was killed by Bhima in a duel, ruled over this area and his capital was at Barhdrathpura. Though nothing is known about the other names Kusagrapura, Girivraja and Rajgriha, they figure regularly in Buddhist and Jain texts. The last Rajgriha is the one from which the present name Rajgir has been derived.
During the sixth century BC, Rajgir was the capital of the powerful kingdom of Magadh. It was also the centre of great religious and intellectual activity. The Buddha made several visits to this town and stayed here for a considerable time to propagate his doctrine. Jain texts, on the other hand, say that their last apostle, Mahavira, passed 14 rainy seasons in Rajgir and Nalanda.
It was also the birthplace of Muni Suvrata, a predecessor of Lord Mahavira and the center of the Ajivika sect.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Rajgir, though small area wise, is an important pilgrimage center for three of the great religions of India, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. There are pilgrimage sites of each of these religions in the town.
On the Vaibhava hill are the Saptkarni caves where the first Buddhist Council was held. The Saptkarni cave is also the source of the Rajgir hot Sulphur springs that have curative properties and are scared to the Hindu's.
From the foot of the Vaibhava Hill, a staircase leads up to the various temples. Separate bathing places have been organized for men and women and the water comes out from spouts through the Saptadhara or seven streams believed to find their source behind the Saptkarni Caves up in the hills. The hottest of the springs is the Brahmakund with a temperature of 45°C.
On the Griddhakuta or Vultures Peak, the Buddha set in motion his second Wheel of Law and for three months every year during the rainy season preached his disciples about it. The Buddha Sangh of Japan has constructed a massive modern stupa, the Shanti (peace) stupa at the top of the hill. One can climb up to the top along a bridle path but the aerial chairlift is far more exciting.
Ajatshatru's Fort, built in sixth century BC, is situated around six km from the Rajgir railway station. The fort was. Bimbisara's jail is also situated here where, according to the legends, he was imprisoned by Ajatshatru.
Above the hot springs on the Vaibhava Hill is a rectangular stone sculpted by the forces of nature, which appears to have been used as a watchtower. It later become the resort of hermits and is popularly known as Jarasandha Ki Baithak after the name of the King Jarasandha, a contemporary of Lord Krishna described in the epic Mahabharta.
The Swarna Gufa is around six km from the railway station. It is believed that there is a treasure house of gold still hidden here. It is said that if one can decipher the inscription engraved here, the doors to the golden vaults would open.
PLACES AROUND RAJGIR
Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddha got enlightenment is around 34 km off Rajgir and connected through a good network of roads. Major tourist attractions here are the Maha Bodhi Temple, the place where under a pipal tree, Buddha got his enlightenment, and monasteries built by different Buddhist countries.
Twelve kilometers from Rajgir is Nalanda, which was a resort for saints and ascetics. It was made into a university in fifth century AD and remained the greatest seat of learning for over 700 years.
Pawapuri is situated some 35 km from Rajgir and believed to be the place where Lord Mahavira died.
Patna, the capital of Bihar and a great historical city is situated around 60 km northeast of Rajgir.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
The Rajgir Mahotsav is held every year from October 24 to 26. Classical dance, folk dance, music, and art performances are organized during this festival.
The Malamasa Mela is celebrated in Rajgir every three year and a large fair is held here. According to the Indian solar calendar, every third year has 13 months, which is called Malamasa.
Another festival specific to Rajgir is the Makar Sankranti Mela, held on the last day of the lunar calendar month of Paus, in mid-January. Devotees offer flowers to the deities of the temples at the hot springs and bathe in the holy water.
WHERE TO STAY
There are many hotels in Rajgir that offer moderate and budget accommodation to the travelers. It is difficult to get proper accommodation during the tourist season-October to March-and it is advised to have prior accommodation arrangements done. Some of the hotels offer European and Japanese cuisine to cater to the tastes of tourists from other countries.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport for Rajgir is Patna. There are regular flights for Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Katmandu from this airport. The nearest international airport is Calcutta.
BY RAIL - Rajgir is on a branch line of Eastern Railway and there are daily trains to Patna and other places nearby.
BY ROAD - There are regular buses from Patna, Nalanda, Gaya, and Bodhgaya to Rajgir. One can arrange for guided tour packages to Rajgir from Patna.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Rajgir Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make you visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
Best time to visit
October to March
Languages
Hindi & English
STD Code
06119
LOCATION
It is located in the Indian state of Bihar about 60 km southeast of the capital Patna. Rajgir is famous for rock-cut caves, forts, Buddhist ruins, shell inscriptions, Hindu and Jain temples and Muslim tombs. The place is well connected to other parts of Bihar and eastern India through railway and roads.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The climate of Rajgir like the other parts of the Gangetic plains is extreme. The summer months from April to July are hot and humid here and the average temperature can reach approximately 45°C and the relative humidity can go up to around 80 percent. Winters are cold with the average night temperature at around 10°C. Normally, the average temperature stays around 20°C. Monsoon touches this region in July/August and continues till September.
HISTORY
Now a small town, Rajgir was once the capital of the kingdom of the mighty Magadh empire and was known by various names such as Vasumati, Barhdrathpura, Girivraja, Kusagrapura, and Rajgriha. The great Hindu epic Ramayana says that the mythical king Vasu, a son of Lord Brahma, founded this town and named it Vasumati.
According to the Mahabharata, Jarasandha who was killed by Bhima in a duel, ruled over this area and his capital was at Barhdrathpura. Though nothing is known about the other names Kusagrapura, Girivraja and Rajgriha, they figure regularly in Buddhist and Jain texts. The last Rajgriha is the one from which the present name Rajgir has been derived.
During the sixth century BC, Rajgir was the capital of the powerful kingdom of Magadh. It was also the centre of great religious and intellectual activity. The Buddha made several visits to this town and stayed here for a considerable time to propagate his doctrine. Jain texts, on the other hand, say that their last apostle, Mahavira, passed 14 rainy seasons in Rajgir and Nalanda.
It was also the birthplace of Muni Suvrata, a predecessor of Lord Mahavira and the center of the Ajivika sect.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Rajgir, though small area wise, is an important pilgrimage center for three of the great religions of India, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. There are pilgrimage sites of each of these religions in the town.
On the Vaibhava hill are the Saptkarni caves where the first Buddhist Council was held. The Saptkarni cave is also the source of the Rajgir hot Sulphur springs that have curative properties and are scared to the Hindu's.
From the foot of the Vaibhava Hill, a staircase leads up to the various temples. Separate bathing places have been organized for men and women and the water comes out from spouts through the Saptadhara or seven streams believed to find their source behind the Saptkarni Caves up in the hills. The hottest of the springs is the Brahmakund with a temperature of 45°C.
On the Griddhakuta or Vultures Peak, the Buddha set in motion his second Wheel of Law and for three months every year during the rainy season preached his disciples about it. The Buddha Sangh of Japan has constructed a massive modern stupa, the Shanti (peace) stupa at the top of the hill. One can climb up to the top along a bridle path but the aerial chairlift is far more exciting.
Ajatshatru's Fort, built in sixth century BC, is situated around six km from the Rajgir railway station. The fort was. Bimbisara's jail is also situated here where, according to the legends, he was imprisoned by Ajatshatru.
Above the hot springs on the Vaibhava Hill is a rectangular stone sculpted by the forces of nature, which appears to have been used as a watchtower. It later become the resort of hermits and is popularly known as Jarasandha Ki Baithak after the name of the King Jarasandha, a contemporary of Lord Krishna described in the epic Mahabharta.
The Swarna Gufa is around six km from the railway station. It is believed that there is a treasure house of gold still hidden here. It is said that if one can decipher the inscription engraved here, the doors to the golden vaults would open.
PLACES AROUND RAJGIR
Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddha got enlightenment is around 34 km off Rajgir and connected through a good network of roads. Major tourist attractions here are the Maha Bodhi Temple, the place where under a pipal tree, Buddha got his enlightenment, and monasteries built by different Buddhist countries.
Twelve kilometers from Rajgir is Nalanda, which was a resort for saints and ascetics. It was made into a university in fifth century AD and remained the greatest seat of learning for over 700 years.
Pawapuri is situated some 35 km from Rajgir and believed to be the place where Lord Mahavira died.
Patna, the capital of Bihar and a great historical city is situated around 60 km northeast of Rajgir.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
The Rajgir Mahotsav is held every year from October 24 to 26. Classical dance, folk dance, music, and art performances are organized during this festival.
The Malamasa Mela is celebrated in Rajgir every three year and a large fair is held here. According to the Indian solar calendar, every third year has 13 months, which is called Malamasa.
Another festival specific to Rajgir is the Makar Sankranti Mela, held on the last day of the lunar calendar month of Paus, in mid-January. Devotees offer flowers to the deities of the temples at the hot springs and bathe in the holy water.
WHERE TO STAY
There are many hotels in Rajgir that offer moderate and budget accommodation to the travelers. It is difficult to get proper accommodation during the tourist season-October to March-and it is advised to have prior accommodation arrangements done. Some of the hotels offer European and Japanese cuisine to cater to the tastes of tourists from other countries.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport for Rajgir is Patna. There are regular flights for Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Katmandu from this airport. The nearest international airport is Calcutta.
BY RAIL - Rajgir is on a branch line of Eastern Railway and there are daily trains to Patna and other places nearby.
BY ROAD - There are regular buses from Patna, Nalanda, Gaya, and Bodhgaya to Rajgir. One can arrange for guided tour packages to Rajgir from Patna.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Rajgir Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make you visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
PATNA
FACTS & FIGURES
Language
Hindi, Urdu, Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi Best time to visit
October to February
STD Code
0612
LOCATION
Located on the southern bank of the Ganges (also Ganga), Patna is the capital of the northern state of Bihar. It is an old city steeped in history. The present-day Patna is, however, crowded and polluted. The Mahatma Gandhi Setu, one of the longest bridges in the world at 7.5 km, crosses the Ganges 5 km west of the city center.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Patna is hot and humid in summer and cold in winters. Temperature varies from a maximum of 43°C in summer to a minimum of around 5°C in the winters. Relative humidity can go up to 100% during summer. It receives medium to heavy rainfall in the monsoon.
HISTORY
The history of Patna starts from the year 493 BC when Ajatshatru, the king of Magadh, fortified a small village Pataligrama, which latter came to be known as Pataliputra. Located on the high bank of the river Ganges, the city was established by the son of Ajatshatru, Udayi. In the years that followed, the city saw many dynasties that ruled the Indian subcontinent from there. Pataliputra reached its pinnacle of glory under the Mauryas and became one of the most important capital cities. Patna became the capital of Bihar when India attained independence in 1947.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Patna has many sites of historical importance that can be visited.
The Khuda Baksh Oriental Library is a treasure trove of medieval manuscripts. It is famous for its rare collection of Arabic and Persian manuscripts, including volumes saved during the sacking of the Moorish University of Cordova.
Patna Museum is noted for its collection of statues and the world's oldest fossilized tree, 16 m high and 200 million years old.
Close to the museum is Golghar, the 29-m-high beehive-shaped structure constructed in 1786 following a terrible famine.
Patna Cemetery is a historically important European monument situated in what was once a haveli (now a hospital). The cemetery is noted for an obelisk that was erected to mark the cold-blooded murder of 47 Englishmen by Samru in 1763. A short distance away from the cemetery is Padri-ki-Haveli, now a Catholic church with an imposing façade.
The remains of Pataliputra, as well as the ancient capital of Ajatshatru and Ashoka have been uncovered at Kumhrar. A few large pillars and the foundations of a Buddhist monastery, known as Anand, are all that remain now.
At the eastern end of the city, in the Chowk area of old Patna stands the Har Mandir, one of the holiest Sikh shrines. Built of white marble by Ranjit Singh, it marks the place where Gobind Singh, the 10th and last of the Sikh gurus, was born in 1660.
One can still see Agam Kuan (the fathomless well), which was part of Ashoka's hell for prisoners. The famous Mahendru Ghat in today's Patna is the reminder of Mahendru (Ashoka's brother) who had sailed from here to preach Buddhism in Ceylon.
PLACES AROUND PATNA
Vaishali, the birthplace of Mahavira, seat of the first republic in the world, and the place where Buddha gave his last sermon, is a one-hour drive from Patna. It has an Ashoka pillar, a few stupas and a small museum.
Founded in the 5th century BC, Nalanda is 90 km away from Patna. It gave the world one of the earliest great universities. The extensive remains today include the Great Stupa, an archeological museum, and Xuan Memorial Hall, built as a peace pagoda by the Chinese.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
All the festivals of North India are celebrated in Patna, but Chatta, which is celebrated six days after Diwali, is the most famous. Pataliputra Mahotsav features parades, sports, dancing, and music.
HOW TO REACH
BY ROAD - Patna is well connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi, Ranchi and Lucknow by regular flights. It is conveniently linked to all the major cities of India through trains. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Patna. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
Language
Hindi, Urdu, Bhojpuri, Maithili, and Magahi Best time to visit
October to February
STD Code
0612
LOCATION
Located on the southern bank of the Ganges (also Ganga), Patna is the capital of the northern state of Bihar. It is an old city steeped in history. The present-day Patna is, however, crowded and polluted. The Mahatma Gandhi Setu, one of the longest bridges in the world at 7.5 km, crosses the Ganges 5 km west of the city center.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Patna is hot and humid in summer and cold in winters. Temperature varies from a maximum of 43°C in summer to a minimum of around 5°C in the winters. Relative humidity can go up to 100% during summer. It receives medium to heavy rainfall in the monsoon.
HISTORY
The history of Patna starts from the year 493 BC when Ajatshatru, the king of Magadh, fortified a small village Pataligrama, which latter came to be known as Pataliputra. Located on the high bank of the river Ganges, the city was established by the son of Ajatshatru, Udayi. In the years that followed, the city saw many dynasties that ruled the Indian subcontinent from there. Pataliputra reached its pinnacle of glory under the Mauryas and became one of the most important capital cities. Patna became the capital of Bihar when India attained independence in 1947.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Patna has many sites of historical importance that can be visited.
The Khuda Baksh Oriental Library is a treasure trove of medieval manuscripts. It is famous for its rare collection of Arabic and Persian manuscripts, including volumes saved during the sacking of the Moorish University of Cordova.
Patna Museum is noted for its collection of statues and the world's oldest fossilized tree, 16 m high and 200 million years old.
Close to the museum is Golghar, the 29-m-high beehive-shaped structure constructed in 1786 following a terrible famine.
Patna Cemetery is a historically important European monument situated in what was once a haveli (now a hospital). The cemetery is noted for an obelisk that was erected to mark the cold-blooded murder of 47 Englishmen by Samru in 1763. A short distance away from the cemetery is Padri-ki-Haveli, now a Catholic church with an imposing façade.
The remains of Pataliputra, as well as the ancient capital of Ajatshatru and Ashoka have been uncovered at Kumhrar. A few large pillars and the foundations of a Buddhist monastery, known as Anand, are all that remain now.
At the eastern end of the city, in the Chowk area of old Patna stands the Har Mandir, one of the holiest Sikh shrines. Built of white marble by Ranjit Singh, it marks the place where Gobind Singh, the 10th and last of the Sikh gurus, was born in 1660.
One can still see Agam Kuan (the fathomless well), which was part of Ashoka's hell for prisoners. The famous Mahendru Ghat in today's Patna is the reminder of Mahendru (Ashoka's brother) who had sailed from here to preach Buddhism in Ceylon.
PLACES AROUND PATNA
Vaishali, the birthplace of Mahavira, seat of the first republic in the world, and the place where Buddha gave his last sermon, is a one-hour drive from Patna. It has an Ashoka pillar, a few stupas and a small museum.
Founded in the 5th century BC, Nalanda is 90 km away from Patna. It gave the world one of the earliest great universities. The extensive remains today include the Great Stupa, an archeological museum, and Xuan Memorial Hall, built as a peace pagoda by the Chinese.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
All the festivals of North India are celebrated in Patna, but Chatta, which is celebrated six days after Diwali, is the most famous. Pataliputra Mahotsav features parades, sports, dancing, and music.
HOW TO REACH
BY ROAD - Patna is well connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi, Ranchi and Lucknow by regular flights. It is conveniently linked to all the major cities of India through trains. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Patna. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
NALANDA - ANCIENT SEAT OF LEARNING
FACTS & FIGURES
Language
Hindi & English
Best time to visit
October to March
STD Code
061194
LOCATION
Nalanda, one of the greatest centers of learning in the ancient times, is located in the eastern Indian state of Bihar. A small village now, Nalanda is situated around 72 km off Patna, the capital of Bihar and is part of the Buddhist Circuit that also includes Bodh Gaya and Rajgir. The village has a good network of roads that connects it to the other cities of the state.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Nalanda, being in the Gangatic plains, suffers from extreme weather conditions. The temperature during summer can reach a maximum of 37.8°C and a minimum of 17.8°C. The maximum temperature during winter remains at around 27.8°C while the minimum temperature dips down to as low as 10.6°C. Monsoon arrives in this region in June and continued till September. The average rainfall during monsoon is 120 cm.
HISTORY
Founded in the fifth century AD, Nalanda is well known as an ancient seat of learning. However, today this ancient university lies in ruins. The place not only has the remains of the great university but also many monasteries, temples, and viharas built by different kings.
Though the Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, this famous centre of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during 5th-12th centuries AD. In this first residential international university of the world, 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied.
The university found patrons in Gupta, Kushan, and Pal kings in successive centuries. Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some of its most celebrated patrons who built temples and monasteries here. Recent excavations have unearthed elaborate structures here. The university remained in prominence till 12 century AD when the Afghans attacked Bengal and burnt down this great University.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The ruins of Nalanda University are spread over an area of 14 hectares of land. The university was constructed in the Kushana style of architecture, but the impact of the Pala dynasty is widely visible throughout. Past excavations suggest that a large part of the University is still unexcavated, but nowhere does it suggest that the whole site could have accommodated 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers.
The Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall is said to have been built in the memory of Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveler who came to India in around 5th century AD. Hiuen Tsang was attracted by the glory of Nalanda University and stayed there for 12 years both as a student and as a teacher. He gave detailed and vivid description of the Indian political and social conditions of that time.
The Surya Mandir is a temple near the University dedicated to the Sun God. This temple has a number of statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities. A five feet high statue of Parvati is of particular interest.
The Nalanda museum was established in 1971 and has a good collection of ancient manuscripts and Buddhist statues. The manuscripts kept here were found during the excavation of the area and many of them are rare in appearance and style. The museum also displays artifacts of the Maurya, Gupta and other periods.
The Nav Nalanda Vihar was established in 1951 to keep the ancient tradition of spreading knowledge alive. The Bihar government has set up this institute that teaches Pali near the ancient university. In the institute Indian as well as foreign students study and do research work on Buddhism and Pali, which was a widely used language in the ancient times.
PLACES AROUND NALANDA
Rajgir is around 12 km from Nalanda and a famous pilgrimage center for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. There are many places of interest here such as the Swarna Gufa, Griddhakuta Parvat, and Vishwa Shanti Stupa etc.
Bihar Sharif, 13 km away is the district headquarters and a center of Islamic architecture. The tomb of Malik Ibrahim Baya is situated here and an annual Urs is celebrated.
Bodh Gaya, the most important Buddhist pilgrimage center is around 50 km away from Nalanda. There is the Maha Bodhi Temple, monasteries built by the governments of Buddhist countries, and an archeological museum along with several other sites.
Gaya is situated around 65 km from Nalanda and is a major pilgrimage center for Hindus.
Pawapuri is situated at a distance of 47 km from Nalanda and believed to be the place where Lord Mahavira died.
Patna, the capital of Bihar and a great historical city is situated around 72 km northeast of Nalanda.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Unique in Nalanda is the Chhath Puja, or worship of the Sun god. The most famous one is at the Sun temple in Baragaon near Nalanda, where new paddy, sweets, and fruits are offered in worship.
The Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and attained nirvana, all on the same full moon day of April/May. Thus, Baisakhi Purnima is celebrated as Buddha Jayanti here.
WHERE TO STAY
There are some monasteries built by Buddhist countries and a government guesthouse where tourists can stay. Most of the good hotels are situated in the nearby tourist centers like Rajgir, Bodhgaya, and Gaya. Nalanda is usually a part of the day excursion trips organized by different travel companies from Patna. For those keen on exploring Nalanda, Patna is the most convenient base.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Nalanda.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport from Nalanda is Patna around 89 km away. There are regular flights from Patna connecting to Kolkata, Delhi, Ranchi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Lucknow, and Kathmandu.
BY RAIL - Rajgir 12 km away is the nearest railway station from Nalanda. nearest major railway point is Gaya around 65 km away, from where one can take trains for Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi, and some of the major centers in eastern India.
BY ROAD - Nalanda is connected through a good road network with Rajgir 12 km, Bodh Gaya 50 km, Gaya 65 km, Patna 90 km, Pawapuri 26 km, and Bihar Sharif 13 km.
There are no taxis available in Nalanda. Cycle rickshaws and tongas are the only modes of local transport.
We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Nalanda. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Nalanda Pleasant.
Language
Hindi & English
Best time to visit
October to March
STD Code
061194
LOCATION
Nalanda, one of the greatest centers of learning in the ancient times, is located in the eastern Indian state of Bihar. A small village now, Nalanda is situated around 72 km off Patna, the capital of Bihar and is part of the Buddhist Circuit that also includes Bodh Gaya and Rajgir. The village has a good network of roads that connects it to the other cities of the state.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Nalanda, being in the Gangatic plains, suffers from extreme weather conditions. The temperature during summer can reach a maximum of 37.8°C and a minimum of 17.8°C. The maximum temperature during winter remains at around 27.8°C while the minimum temperature dips down to as low as 10.6°C. Monsoon arrives in this region in June and continued till September. The average rainfall during monsoon is 120 cm.
HISTORY
Founded in the fifth century AD, Nalanda is well known as an ancient seat of learning. However, today this ancient university lies in ruins. The place not only has the remains of the great university but also many monasteries, temples, and viharas built by different kings.
Though the Buddha visited Nalanda several times during his lifetime, this famous centre of Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during 5th-12th centuries AD. In this first residential international university of the world, 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied.
The university found patrons in Gupta, Kushan, and Pal kings in successive centuries. Ashoka and Harshavardhana were some of its most celebrated patrons who built temples and monasteries here. Recent excavations have unearthed elaborate structures here. The university remained in prominence till 12 century AD when the Afghans attacked Bengal and burnt down this great University.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The ruins of Nalanda University are spread over an area of 14 hectares of land. The university was constructed in the Kushana style of architecture, but the impact of the Pala dynasty is widely visible throughout. Past excavations suggest that a large part of the University is still unexcavated, but nowhere does it suggest that the whole site could have accommodated 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers.
The Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall is said to have been built in the memory of Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveler who came to India in around 5th century AD. Hiuen Tsang was attracted by the glory of Nalanda University and stayed there for 12 years both as a student and as a teacher. He gave detailed and vivid description of the Indian political and social conditions of that time.
The Surya Mandir is a temple near the University dedicated to the Sun God. This temple has a number of statues of Hindu and Buddhist deities. A five feet high statue of Parvati is of particular interest.
The Nalanda museum was established in 1971 and has a good collection of ancient manuscripts and Buddhist statues. The manuscripts kept here were found during the excavation of the area and many of them are rare in appearance and style. The museum also displays artifacts of the Maurya, Gupta and other periods.
The Nav Nalanda Vihar was established in 1951 to keep the ancient tradition of spreading knowledge alive. The Bihar government has set up this institute that teaches Pali near the ancient university. In the institute Indian as well as foreign students study and do research work on Buddhism and Pali, which was a widely used language in the ancient times.
PLACES AROUND NALANDA
Rajgir is around 12 km from Nalanda and a famous pilgrimage center for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. There are many places of interest here such as the Swarna Gufa, Griddhakuta Parvat, and Vishwa Shanti Stupa etc.
Bihar Sharif, 13 km away is the district headquarters and a center of Islamic architecture. The tomb of Malik Ibrahim Baya is situated here and an annual Urs is celebrated.
Bodh Gaya, the most important Buddhist pilgrimage center is around 50 km away from Nalanda. There is the Maha Bodhi Temple, monasteries built by the governments of Buddhist countries, and an archeological museum along with several other sites.
Gaya is situated around 65 km from Nalanda and is a major pilgrimage center for Hindus.
Pawapuri is situated at a distance of 47 km from Nalanda and believed to be the place where Lord Mahavira died.
Patna, the capital of Bihar and a great historical city is situated around 72 km northeast of Nalanda.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Unique in Nalanda is the Chhath Puja, or worship of the Sun god. The most famous one is at the Sun temple in Baragaon near Nalanda, where new paddy, sweets, and fruits are offered in worship.
The Buddha was born, attained enlightenment and attained nirvana, all on the same full moon day of April/May. Thus, Baisakhi Purnima is celebrated as Buddha Jayanti here.
WHERE TO STAY
There are some monasteries built by Buddhist countries and a government guesthouse where tourists can stay. Most of the good hotels are situated in the nearby tourist centers like Rajgir, Bodhgaya, and Gaya. Nalanda is usually a part of the day excursion trips organized by different travel companies from Patna. For those keen on exploring Nalanda, Patna is the most convenient base.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Nalanda.
HOW TO REACH
BY AIR - The nearest airport from Nalanda is Patna around 89 km away. There are regular flights from Patna connecting to Kolkata, Delhi, Ranchi, Mumbai, Varanasi, Lucknow, and Kathmandu.
BY RAIL - Rajgir 12 km away is the nearest railway station from Nalanda. nearest major railway point is Gaya around 65 km away, from where one can take trains for Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi, and some of the major centers in eastern India.
BY ROAD - Nalanda is connected through a good road network with Rajgir 12 km, Bodh Gaya 50 km, Gaya 65 km, Patna 90 km, Pawapuri 26 km, and Bihar Sharif 13 km.
There are no taxis available in Nalanda. Cycle rickshaws and tongas are the only modes of local transport.
We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Nalanda. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Nalanda Pleasant.
GAYA
FACTS & FIGURES
Population
383,197
Best time to visit
Winters
Language
Bhojpuri and Hindi
STD Codes
0631
INTRODUCTION
Gaya is one of the important holy places for Hindus and thousands of devotees throng this small town every year for pilgrimage. The main pilgrim center in Gaya is the Vishnu temple. Legend has it that this temple was built on Lord Vishnu's footsteps and is thus considered very sacred by the devotees. It is also believed by Hindus that if the final rights are performed in Gaya, the departed soul goes to heaven.
LOCATION
Gaya is located in the central part of the state of Bihar, in the northeastern part of India. It is a part of the great Gangetic plains. It is located to the west of the Falgu River, which is a tributary of river Ganga. It is 13 km north of Bodhgaya and 100 km south of Patna city. The climate of Gaya is tropical. Summers are generally hot (April-June), while winters are cool (October-February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains from July to September.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit the Gaya is during winter.
HISTORY
There are references to the town of Gaya in the Hindu epic of Ramayana. Sita, the wife of Lord Ram, one of the principal Hindu deities, is said to have cursed the Falgu River. Gaya was a part of the ancient Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC. Inscriptions belonging to King Ashoka, the great Mauryan ruler, have been found near Gaya. The small town of Gaya was the part of the great Mughal Empire in medieval times. After the disintegration of the Mughal Empire, it came under the rule of many regional kingdoms. In 1787 Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, who belonged to the ruling Holkar family of Indore, built the Vishnupad temple (Vishnupad, footstep of Lord Vishnu) in Gaya.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Gaya is a religious center and it is believed that the principal Hindu God, Vishnu has bestowed upon Gaya the power to absolve the sin of the sinners, who come here for pilgrimage. Pilgrims also come to offer funerary offerings (or pinds) at the ghats along the river and pray for the souls of their ancestors.
The main tourist attraction of Gaya is the Vishnupad temple. This temple was built in the Hindu Shikhar style of architecture and is located on the west bank of Falgu River at the southeastern edge of the town.
There is a small archeological museum in Gaya.
The Brahmajuni hill 1 km southwest of the Vishnupad temple is an important spot. One thousand stone steps lead the travelers to the top of this hill, from where one can have a full view of Gaya.
PLACES AROUND GAYA
There are a number of small shrines near Gaya and pilgrims usually visit them to complete the ritual circuit. Thirty-six km north of Gaya are the ancient caves of Barabar, which belong to the 3rd century BC. These caves are famous for their inscriptions dating back to the time of King Ashok, the great Mauryan ruler. The town of Bodhgaya is 13 km south of Gaya. As Gaya is an important place for Hindu pilgrims, Bodhgaya is one the four holiest places of Buddhism, as Lord Gautam Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment here. The historic town of Rajgir is 50 km east of Gaya.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Important Hindu religious festivals are celebrated in Gaya and a hoard of pilgrims descends on this small town to take part in the rituals associated with these festivals.
HOW TO REACH
Gaya does not have an airport of its own.
BY RAIL - There is a small railway station, which is located on the northern part of the town. As Gaya is on the main Delhi-Calcutta railway line, there are a number of trains to Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi, Puri and Patna.
BY ROAD - There are two bus stands in Gaya, on either side of the Falgu River. The Gandhi Maidan bus station is on the west side of the Falgu River and there are a number of buses to Patna (4 hours) and Ranchi (7 hours), from here. One can catch buses for Rajgir (3 hours) from the Gaurakshini bus station to the east of the Falgu River. There is good bus service for the holy towns of Bodhgaya and Varanasi. Auto-rickshaws ply between Gaya and Bodhgaya, but they are overcrowded, most of the time.
One can move around the city in auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws.
WHERE TO STAY
There are mostly low-end hotels in Gaya, as this town is not more than a stopover. Most of the hotels are located near the railway station. Hotel Siddharth International provides the only top-end accommodation in Gaya.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Gay
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about hotels in Gaya. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Gaya Pleasant
Population
383,197
Best time to visit
Winters
Language
Bhojpuri and Hindi
STD Codes
0631
INTRODUCTION
Gaya is one of the important holy places for Hindus and thousands of devotees throng this small town every year for pilgrimage. The main pilgrim center in Gaya is the Vishnu temple. Legend has it that this temple was built on Lord Vishnu's footsteps and is thus considered very sacred by the devotees. It is also believed by Hindus that if the final rights are performed in Gaya, the departed soul goes to heaven.
LOCATION
Gaya is located in the central part of the state of Bihar, in the northeastern part of India. It is a part of the great Gangetic plains. It is located to the west of the Falgu River, which is a tributary of river Ganga. It is 13 km north of Bodhgaya and 100 km south of Patna city. The climate of Gaya is tropical. Summers are generally hot (April-June), while winters are cool (October-February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains from July to September.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit the Gaya is during winter.
HISTORY
There are references to the town of Gaya in the Hindu epic of Ramayana. Sita, the wife of Lord Ram, one of the principal Hindu deities, is said to have cursed the Falgu River. Gaya was a part of the ancient Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century BC. Inscriptions belonging to King Ashoka, the great Mauryan ruler, have been found near Gaya. The small town of Gaya was the part of the great Mughal Empire in medieval times. After the disintegration of the Mughal Empire, it came under the rule of many regional kingdoms. In 1787 Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, who belonged to the ruling Holkar family of Indore, built the Vishnupad temple (Vishnupad, footstep of Lord Vishnu) in Gaya.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Gaya is a religious center and it is believed that the principal Hindu God, Vishnu has bestowed upon Gaya the power to absolve the sin of the sinners, who come here for pilgrimage. Pilgrims also come to offer funerary offerings (or pinds) at the ghats along the river and pray for the souls of their ancestors.
The main tourist attraction of Gaya is the Vishnupad temple. This temple was built in the Hindu Shikhar style of architecture and is located on the west bank of Falgu River at the southeastern edge of the town.
There is a small archeological museum in Gaya.
The Brahmajuni hill 1 km southwest of the Vishnupad temple is an important spot. One thousand stone steps lead the travelers to the top of this hill, from where one can have a full view of Gaya.
PLACES AROUND GAYA
There are a number of small shrines near Gaya and pilgrims usually visit them to complete the ritual circuit. Thirty-six km north of Gaya are the ancient caves of Barabar, which belong to the 3rd century BC. These caves are famous for their inscriptions dating back to the time of King Ashok, the great Mauryan ruler. The town of Bodhgaya is 13 km south of Gaya. As Gaya is an important place for Hindu pilgrims, Bodhgaya is one the four holiest places of Buddhism, as Lord Gautam Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment here. The historic town of Rajgir is 50 km east of Gaya.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Important Hindu religious festivals are celebrated in Gaya and a hoard of pilgrims descends on this small town to take part in the rituals associated with these festivals.
HOW TO REACH
Gaya does not have an airport of its own.
BY RAIL - There is a small railway station, which is located on the northern part of the town. As Gaya is on the main Delhi-Calcutta railway line, there are a number of trains to Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi, Puri and Patna.
BY ROAD - There are two bus stands in Gaya, on either side of the Falgu River. The Gandhi Maidan bus station is on the west side of the Falgu River and there are a number of buses to Patna (4 hours) and Ranchi (7 hours), from here. One can catch buses for Rajgir (3 hours) from the Gaurakshini bus station to the east of the Falgu River. There is good bus service for the holy towns of Bodhgaya and Varanasi. Auto-rickshaws ply between Gaya and Bodhgaya, but they are overcrowded, most of the time.
One can move around the city in auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws.
WHERE TO STAY
There are mostly low-end hotels in Gaya, as this town is not more than a stopover. Most of the hotels are located near the railway station. Hotel Siddharth International provides the only top-end accommodation in Gaya.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Gay
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about hotels in Gaya. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Gaya Pleasant
BODHGAYA
FACTS & FIGURES
Language
Bhojpuri, Hindi and English
Best time to visit
Winters
STD Code
0631
INTRODUCTION
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.
LOCATION
Bodhgaya is located in the central part of the state of Bihar, in the northeastern part of India. It is the part of the great Ganges plains. It is situated on the west of the Falgu River, which is a tributary of River Ganga (Ganges). It is 13 km south of Gaya and 113 km south of Patna city. The climate of Bodhgaya is tropical. Summers are generally hot (April-June), while winters are cool (October-February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains from July until September.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Bodhgaya is during winter (October-February).
HISTORY
The history of this small town is associated with Buddhism since ancient times. The region around Bodhgaya formed the part of the first small kingdoms of India in the 7th century BC. It came into limelight in 6th century BC, when a local prince Siddharth (also known as Gautam) renounced all material possession and, after practicing rigorous penances for years, attained Enlightenment or Nirvana under a Bodhi (Bo) tree here. After gaining Enlightenment, Gautam became Buddha (The Enlightened One) and spread his message of love and peace. To mark the spot where Gautam Buddha had attained Enlightenment, the great Mauryan ruler King Ashoka built a small shrine here in the 3rd century BC. Subsequent rulers left their mark on this shrine, which finally took the shape of the Mahabodhi temple that still stands.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The main tourist attraction in Bodhgaya is the Mahabodhi temple. The original Bodhi tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment had died, but the present tree is a descendant of the original tree, which was obtained from Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, where it was taken by Sanghamitra, King Ashoka's daughter in 3rd century BC. 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. The present temple has been restored to its past glory. 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. Theses monasteries and temples offer to the tourist different architectural styles of these countries. The Archeological Museum of Bodhgaya is another important place to visit in this small town.
Thousands of Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world throng to Bodhgaya every year.
Bodhgaya is not only an important Buddhist pilgrim center and an archeological site, but it also for famous for the various meditation courses offered by a number of institutes, in and around the town. Most of the courses are conducted in winters (October-February).
PLACES AROUND BODHGAYA
The town of Gaya is 13 km 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.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
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. Travelers seeking peace of mind and spiritual upliftment must visit these programs. Important Buddhist religious festivals are celebrated with great fervor in Bodhgaya.
HOW TO REACH
BY ROAD - Bodhgaya does not have an airport of its own. There is no railway station in Bodhgaya and it can only be reached by road. The main bus stop in Bodhgaya is located near Sujata Bridge on the Falgu River on the northeastern edge of the town. There is bus service to the town of Gaya, which is 13 km north of Bodhgaya. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
WHERE TO STAY
There are a number of budget hotels and places of cheap accommodation in Bodhgaya, within walking distance from the main bus stand. There are few mid-range and high-end hotels in Bodhgaya and the ITDC hotel Bodhgaya Ashok is the main hotel in the higher category. Some of the monasteries belonging to other countries also provide accommodation to the tourists.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Bodhgaya.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Bodhgaya. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
Language
Bhojpuri, Hindi and English
Best time to visit
Winters
STD Code
0631
INTRODUCTION
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.
LOCATION
Bodhgaya is located in the central part of the state of Bihar, in the northeastern part of India. It is the part of the great Ganges plains. It is situated on the west of the Falgu River, which is a tributary of River Ganga (Ganges). It is 13 km south of Gaya and 113 km south of Patna city. The climate of Bodhgaya is tropical. Summers are generally hot (April-June), while winters are cool (October-February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains from July until September.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit Bodhgaya is during winter (October-February).
HISTORY
The history of this small town is associated with Buddhism since ancient times. The region around Bodhgaya formed the part of the first small kingdoms of India in the 7th century BC. It came into limelight in 6th century BC, when a local prince Siddharth (also known as Gautam) renounced all material possession and, after practicing rigorous penances for years, attained Enlightenment or Nirvana under a Bodhi (Bo) tree here. After gaining Enlightenment, Gautam became Buddha (The Enlightened One) and spread his message of love and peace. To mark the spot where Gautam Buddha had attained Enlightenment, the great Mauryan ruler King Ashoka built a small shrine here in the 3rd century BC. Subsequent rulers left their mark on this shrine, which finally took the shape of the Mahabodhi temple that still stands.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The main tourist attraction in Bodhgaya is the Mahabodhi temple. The original Bodhi tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment had died, but the present tree is a descendant of the original tree, which was obtained from Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka, where it was taken by Sanghamitra, King Ashoka's daughter in 3rd century BC. 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. The present temple has been restored to its past glory. 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. Theses monasteries and temples offer to the tourist different architectural styles of these countries. The Archeological Museum of Bodhgaya is another important place to visit in this small town.
Thousands of Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world throng to Bodhgaya every year.
Bodhgaya is not only an important Buddhist pilgrim center and an archeological site, but it also for famous for the various meditation courses offered by a number of institutes, in and around the town. Most of the courses are conducted in winters (October-February).
PLACES AROUND BODHGAYA
The town of Gaya is 13 km 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.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
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. Travelers seeking peace of mind and spiritual upliftment must visit these programs. Important Buddhist religious festivals are celebrated with great fervor in Bodhgaya.
HOW TO REACH
BY ROAD - Bodhgaya does not have an airport of its own. There is no railway station in Bodhgaya and it can only be reached by road. The main bus stop in Bodhgaya is located near Sujata Bridge on the Falgu River on the northeastern edge of the town. There is bus service to the town of Gaya, which is 13 km north of Bodhgaya. We would provide you all India tourist permit vehicles for the local transportations and also for the intercity drives too.
WHERE TO STAY
There are a number of budget hotels and places of cheap accommodation in Bodhgaya, within walking distance from the main bus stand. There are few mid-range and high-end hotels in Bodhgaya and the ITDC hotel Bodhgaya Ashok is the main hotel in the higher category. Some of the monasteries belonging to other countries also provide accommodation to the tourists.
We offer excellent accommodation facilities in and around Bodhgaya.
Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information about tourism in Bodhgaya. Tourism-of-India.com offers various tour packages to make your visit comfortable. You can pick the one that suits you most.
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