Useful Info & Guides

BODH GAYA

The place where some 2600 years ago, Siddhartha achieved enlightenment and became Buddha sitting under a tree, Bodh Gaya is one of the four sacred pilgrimage sites of all Buddhists. Round the year, Buddhist monks and tourists keep coming here. Dotted with several monasteries, Mahabodhi Temple is the chief temple which is built near Mahabodhi Tree where Gautam attained enlightenment and meditated. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2002). The relics of the original tree can still be found here. The soothing sound of birds singing and the chanting of Buddham Sharanam Gachchami will fill your soul with peace.

PLACE TO VISIT

Mahabodhi Temple, Great Buddha Temple, Thai Monastery, Bodhi Tree, Tibetan Refugee Market, Cankamana, Royal Bhutan Monastery, Muchalinda Lake, Brahmayoni Temple, Vietnamese Temple, Vishnupad Temple, Chinese Temple, Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple, Archaeological Society of India Museum, Animesh Lochan Chaitanya Shrine, Daijokyo Buddhist Temple, Sujata Koti, Ajapala Nigrodha Tree, Bodhgaya Multimedia Museum, Burmese Vihara Monastery, Dungeshwari Hills, Sujatha Temple

RAJGIR

Surrounded by five rocky hill and green lush terrain, Rajgir (Abode of Kings), served as the first capital of Magadha Kingdom (as per mentioned in the Mahabharata, the Hindu epic). Some scholars claim the age of this place to be around 3,000 years. Dense forests, serene water springs, caves, etc. make it a natural place where the air is filled with spirituality. Both Mahavira and Buddha spent time here and thus this place holds religious significance for both religions. The ruins of ancient temples and other religious sites make it a tourist attraction apart from religious interests. The place finds its mentions in Jain and Buddhist scriptures. Also, this place has been visited by Huen Tsang and Fa Hian who visited during Maurya and Gupta reigns.

PLACE TO VISIT

Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Hot Springs, New Venu Vana Vihar, Nalanda Museum, Pandu Pokhar, Ancient Rajgir Ruins, Venu Vana Monastery, Sonbhandar Caves, Griddhakuta Hill, Ancient 40Km Cyclopean, Makhdum Kund, Maniyar Math, Venu Vana Kalandakanivapa, Shankhalipi Inscriptions, Ajatshatru Fort, Bimbisara Jail, Jain Temples, Ruins of Nalanda University, Ghora Katora Lake, Monastery Venuvana Vihara, Saptaparni Caves, Pippala Cave

NALANDA

The city which opened the gate of knowledge for the entire world in ancient times, Nalanda was the place where Nalanda University was established during the reign of Ashoka and Harshavardhana. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nalanda emerged out an important Mahavihara during the Magadha Kingdom and a center of Buddhist academic excellence. It is said that around 10,000 students and monks lived and studied metaphysics, philosophy, theology, medicine, astronomy, etc. during the visit of Xuan Zang (a Chinese scholar) who visited here during 685-762 AD. Three libraries had such a vast collection of books and other academic papers that when the invaders attacked here, these libraries are said to have burnt for nearly six months.

PLACE TO VISIT

Nalanda University Ruins, Jal Mandir, Nalanda Archaeological Museum, Kundalpur Digambar Jain Temple, Xuanzang Memorial, Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary, Stupa of Sariputra, Black Buddha Temple, Goan Mandir

RECOMMENDED ITINERARIES