| Places of Interest |
| Introduction | Places of Interest | How to Reach |
| WHAT TO LOOK FOR |
Mahabodhi Temple
Mahabodhi Temple,the seat of Buddha's enlightenment, is located at Bodh Gaya. Also
located here are the Great Buddha statue, Thai Monastery, Tibetan Temple having a mega
Dhamma Chakra, Muclind Sarovar and Maya Sarovar. |
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| Dhungeshwari |
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Dhungeshwari, six km to the south-east of Gaya town, is the place where Buddha spent
six years in meditation and it was here that the Buddhist philosophy of 'madhyam marg' or
middle path dawned on Buddha. |
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| Kurkihar |
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Another place associated with Buddha at a distance of 15 km from Gaya town. |
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| Vishnupad Temple |
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Vishnupad Temple, in Gaya town,
is the seat of final salvation. Though
the temple is exclusively opened for
the Hindus, there is a non-Hindu gate
facilitating the entry of non-Hindus up
to a certain point outside the temple
sanctum. |
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| Patharkatti |
| Located at a distance of 25 km
from Gaya town, the place is known
for its stone products crafted by sculptors of unbelievable skill. |
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| Dharmaranya or Lo-Thu-Kaba |
| Flanked on both sides by the
rivers Mohane and Niranjana, three
km away from the Sujata stupa in
Bakaraur, is the unique site of
Dharmaranya, mentioned in Hindu
and Buddhist legends. As the name
suggests, it is a place in jungle which
has its roots in Dwapar age. It is said
that Yudhisthir after the Mahabharata
war had performed yajna for purification from sins. According to Tibetan Buddhists, Lord Buddha meditated here for six years under the
Peepul tree. It is a belief that this was also the site of the hermitage of Uruvela Kashyap, who
had become a disciple of the Buddha. |
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| FAIRS & FESTIVALS |
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'Pitripaksha' the annual festival of souls. The fortnight-long festival begins on 'Anant
Chaturdashi' in September every year during which lakhs of Hindus visit Gaya to offer 'pindadaan' for salvationof their ancestral souls. 'Pindadaan' is offered here throughout the year,
though. |
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| Annual Urs |
| Annual Urs of Makhdum, a Sufi saint of the area, is held in the last week of 'Shaban' month
of Islamic calendar. |
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| Bauddha Mahotsav |
The three-day cultural event is organised every year at the Kalchakra Maidan of Bodh Gaya.
The Mahotsava begins on January 14.
Museum, South Church Road, Gandhi Maidan
Timings: 10.30 am to 4.30 pm
Entry free
Monday closed |
