For us the main attraction in Bodh-Gaya was the famed Mahabodhi Temple built at the site
of Buddha's enlightenment. There also are many other interesting temples and monasteries
built by and for Buddhist pilgrims from many countries, including Burma, Japan, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Vietnam, China, Thailand, and Tibet; each temple is in the traditional architectural
style of the respective countries. Below are photos of some of the temples we visited.
of Buddha's enlightenment. There also are many other interesting temples and monasteries
built by and for Buddhist pilgrims from many countries, including Burma, Japan, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, Vietnam, China, Thailand, and Tibet; each temple is in the traditional architectural
style of the respective countries. Below are photos of some of the temples we visited.
| Bodh-Gaya |
To the left is our platform
at the Varanasi Junction
station where we waited for
our 10:00am train to Gaya.
at the Varanasi Junction
station where we waited for
our 10:00am train to Gaya.
When we arrived at the Gaya railway station we found the usual bustle of hotel touts, guides,
and taxis. We agreed with a autorickshaw-taxi driver to take us the 10km (6 miles) or so to
Bodh-Gaya, our destination. We thought we had engaged the taxi exclusively for ourselves
but as soon as we got underway the driver started taking on additional passengers until we
had up to ten passengers crowding our small vehicle with seats for four or five; this made our
ride more interesting.
and taxis. We agreed with a autorickshaw-taxi driver to take us the 10km (6 miles) or so to
Bodh-Gaya, our destination. We thought we had engaged the taxi exclusively for ourselves
but as soon as we got underway the driver started taking on additional passengers until we
had up to ten passengers crowding our small vehicle with seats for four or five; this made our
ride more interesting.
In Bodh-Gaya we checked into the Hotel Lumbini International named for the town of
Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace. Our hotel had a good location about half a block from Gaya's
main street and within easy walking distance of all of the town's religious sites. The hotel
consists of a single-story structure surounded by a semi-maintained garden and equipped
with an electrical generator which was started whenever the utility cut power to our part of
town, which happened several times a day. Our room was spacious and had a TV set and an
attached hot-water bathroom. In common with most South Asian budget hotels the shower
was not enclosed in any way, so that every time we used the shower the entire bathroom
floor got wet. Our daily room rate was 550 rupees (US$12). The Hotel Lumbini
International was not a bad choice.
Lumbini, Buddha's birthplace. Our hotel had a good location about half a block from Gaya's
main street and within easy walking distance of all of the town's religious sites. The hotel
consists of a single-story structure surounded by a semi-maintained garden and equipped
with an electrical generator which was started whenever the utility cut power to our part of
town, which happened several times a day. Our room was spacious and had a TV set and an
attached hot-water bathroom. In common with most South Asian budget hotels the shower
was not enclosed in any way, so that every time we used the shower the entire bathroom
floor got wet. Our daily room rate was 550 rupees (US$12). The Hotel Lumbini
International was not a bad choice.
After several days in the leading Hindu religious center of Varanasi our next destination
was the small town of Bodh-Gaya, one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage center.
Around 600BC Prince Gautama wandered for six years as a beggar seeking spiritual
knowledge which he found while meditating under a tree in Bodh-Gaya. He then became
known as the Buddha, the enlightened one. Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world go to
Bodh-Gaya to visit to worship at the revered site.
was the small town of Bodh-Gaya, one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage center.
Around 600BC Prince Gautama wandered for six years as a beggar seeking spiritual
knowledge which he found while meditating under a tree in Bodh-Gaya. He then became
known as the Buddha, the enlightened one. Buddhist pilgrims from all over the world go to
Bodh-Gaya to visit to worship at the revered site.
From Varanasi we took the Jalianwala Express for 221km (135 miles) to the town of Gaya
and then a motorickshaw for about 10km (6 miles) to Bodh-Gaya.
and then a motorickshaw for about 10km (6 miles) to Bodh-Gaya.
Bhutanese Temple and monastery, Bodh-Gaya, India
Mahabodhi Temple spire. This beautiful temple is
within large sunken temple grounds bordered by a
raised promenade. The temple grounds contain a
descendant of the original Bodhi tree. Within the
temple grounds we saw worshipers praying,
prostrating themselves, etc. Photography is
prohibited within the temple grounds.
within large sunken temple grounds bordered by a
raised promenade. The temple grounds contain a
descendant of the original Bodhi tree. Within the
temple grounds we saw worshipers praying,
prostrating themselves, etc. Photography is
prohibited within the temple grounds.
Thai Temple, Bodh-Gaya, India
BurmeseTemple, Bodh-Gaya, India
Chechen Tennyi Dargyling Temple & Monastery, Bodh-Gaya.
On the left, the Tibetan
Temple with reception
group awaiting arrival of
the Dalai Lama.
Temple with reception
group awaiting arrival of
the Dalai Lama.
An unplanned highlight of our stay in Bodh-Gaya was that it coincided with the visit of the
Dalai Lama, probably the world's most revered living Buddhist. We were having
refreshments in an outdoor restaurant when the Dalai Lama and his entourage passed on the
street in front of us. His visit to Bodh-Gaya attracted many Buddhist pilgrims from many
countries, especially from Tibet.
Dalai Lama, probably the world's most revered living Buddhist. We were having
refreshments in an outdoor restaurant when the Dalai Lama and his entourage passed on the
street in front of us. His visit to Bodh-Gaya attracted many Buddhist pilgrims from many
countries, especially from Tibet.
The Dalai Lama (front row, wearing glasses) in Bodh-Gaya, India
Below are some of the other sights we enjoyed in Bodh-Gaya:
Giant Buddha Statue, Bodh-Gaya, India.
Children and pet dog, Bodh-Gaya.
Our favorite restaurant, Bodh-Gaya
Children with pet dog, Bodh-Gaya, India.
Bodh-Gaya street scene with cyclerickshaw.
Bodh-Gaya street scene with donkey cart.
Novices in Tibetan Temple, Bodh-Gaya
Bodh-Gaya street scene with Tibetan pilgrims.
Bodh-Gaya bus terminal.
Passengers helping start bus in Bodh-Gaya.
Arch welcoming the Dalai Lama to Bodh-Gaya.
Good place to get on the internet, do
your yoga, and have your palm read.
your yoga, and have your palm read.
Sign in the Japanese Temple.
We obeyed all rules.
Taxi preparing to leave Bodh-Gaya hotel for the Gaya railway station.
At our favorite restaurant, Cafe
Om, the sink drains into the blue
container underneath.
Om, the sink drains into the blue
container underneath.
Bodh-Gaya is not on a railway line but the town does have a booth selling tickets. For 1640
rupees (US$36) we bought two Class 3AC tickets to Delhi on a sleeper train scheduled to
leave Gaya 5Feb05 at 9:53pm.
rupees (US$36) we bought two Class 3AC tickets to Delhi on a sleeper train scheduled to
leave Gaya 5Feb05 at 9:53pm.