Bodhgaya: A World Heritage Site!

Located near my hometown, an unplanned trip to Bodhgaya has never been a new phenomenon for me but always without Pragmatica. This July, I was home with her and wanted her to see the beauty of the place so that through her lens, you’ll also get to adore and admire it.

How to reach: By Air (Gaya International Airport), 10 Km away; By Train (Gaya Junction), 16 Km away. Auto-rickshaws in sharing are available at average costs from both places at a reasonable fare. One can also hire an auto to take a thorough trip to Bodhgaya and all its monasteries. The price ranges from Rs. 350- 500/- when booked from the station and Rs. 250-300/- when hired in Bodhgaya for sightseeing.

Famous attractions: Mahabodhi Temple, 80 ft Buddha statue, White Buddha, Museum, Reclining Buddha and several monasteries of different countries.

Time Duration: Usually a day. Prefer winters while planning your trip.

Key Tips:

• When you’re visiting in the evening, try covering other monasteries first as their closing time is 5 PM and Mahabodhi Temple (main temple) at the end as it remains open for visitors till 9 PM. The second reason is you can see it under beautiful artificial illumination. The other time, you can follow the sequence you like keeping the gate closure time in mind.
• Mobile Phone isn’t allowed inside the main temple. To click or to be clicked, arrange one camera if possible. The camera charge is Rs. 100/-. Videography will cost you 300 bucks.
• If you can walk for 3-4 km, I think it’ll be the best way. Monasteries are located in close proximity.
• Parking is available at a reasonable price.

For convenience, We’ll begin from Mahabodhi temple and its premises. Here you’ll be spending the maximum time of your visit. Post that, I’ll add some monasteries and leave the rest for you to explore.

To reach this door of Gyan and Moksha, you’ve to submit your cell phones, whose service is free of cost. Prior to 2013, cell phones were allowed but due to a Bomb blast in that particular year, security was enhanced. You can get tokens for your cameras just before entering the gate. Guides/photographers are available beyond this place. One can hire according to one’s needs. Below is a glimpse of the centre of enlightenment.

Of all, this place holds significant importance because it’s here, under the Peepal tree (Bodhi tree later), Buddha attained enlightenment after years of penance. A statue of Buddha inside the temple is placed inside the temple, which appears divine and majestic. I won’t be posting that photo here rather I would suggest you come and feel the divinity. However, you can take a look at this immortal Bodhi tree.

It’s situated at the back of the temple which you can easily locate while doing parikrama. Monks and nuns from different countries come here to watch and practice the ideology of Buddha. There is a tradition of tying a knot around it with sacred thread with the wish in your heart. It is believed that Buddha makes all those wishes come true.

The entire area is adored aesthetically with a variety of grasses as well as lights, sound as well, and the chant of several mantras that soothe you at each and every step. After paying homage to Buddha, we set to explore the premises.

Let’s visit Mucalinda Lake (The abode of the king of snakes) first!

Lord Buddha spent his sixth week in meditation here. It is said that while he was meditating, a severe thunderstorm broke out; to protect him from violent wind and rain. Nagaraja Mundalika himself came out and covered him from his hood for his safety. In this lake, one can see several fishes sailing from one point to another. There was a time when so many fishes used to fight for the grains when fed. However, fish started dying due to the poor quality of grains and hence, feeding them has been prohibited now. One can take a few rounds of this lake to feel its calmness.

Beside the lake is located Butter lamp house as you have seen on the signboard. The place is adorned with hundreds of lights be it the light of your wish or prayer or hope. You can sit here on the dais and feel the positive energy flowing in your body from all around.

While leaving, I could locate several rocks kept inadvertently. At close inspection, I found the idols of gods and goddesses there. You’ll also find a spinning wheel on your way out of the premises. It is believed that rotating it is a way of redemption from sin, committed in a lifetime.

These are the famous attractions inside the main temple. Now, we’ll take a look at several monasteries located around the place.

It is a beautiful site located in a Hinduism temple beside the main temple. There is a mosque too, near to this place as well. Apologies, I don’t have the picture. On my next visit, I’ll surely click one. Let’s now go directly to the other famous attraction.

This magnificent statue of Buddha is 80 feet tall and envelops the sky. According to my speculation, this is the second most frequented place by tourists in Bodhgaya. You can go around to meet his first ten disciples, which also include his son ‘Rahul’. It’s one of the best places for photography.

There are several street vendors selling items and statues related to Buddha and Buddhism around this place. Even if you don’t want to purchase any, you can take a look at these exotic items.

One can also hire a camel for the ferry. On moving a little further from 80ft, I located this new addition to Bodhgaya.

This place represents the three stages of Buddha’s life. A ritual which we were asked to perform was to pour water over the child Buddha.

Over time, several countries such as China, Tibet, Srilanka, Myanmar etc have set their monasteries to carry out their religious propaganda. These are all located within a radius of 1.5 Km. You can visit each of them and spend some time there to learn its philosophy. Detailing those would be like diminishing your interest and exploratory power.

Added recently and located mid-way on Gaya-Bodhgaya road, this is the longest statue (couldn’t be captured in a single frame) of Buddha in a reclining pose in India. Some parts of this monastery are still under construction phase when I visited.

Located near Mahabodhi conventional centre, it’s also a new addition to Bodhgaya. Uniquely crafted structure, with the statue of Buddha in white, it can be soothing and calming when visited in the evening (before 5).

For more clicks, visit my Instagram page!

©Shashank

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