Bodhgaya in India is the holiest place for the Buddhists. Apart from being a significant archaeological site, it is also a vital Buddhist centre. Bodhagaya is located t a distance of 110 Kms South of Patna. The place in ancient imes was called URUVELLA, and famous for being a place of PEACE, REALISATON AND ENLIGHTMENT. The popularity of the place aries due to the ennlightment of Lord Buddha here more than 2500 years ago. Devout Buddhists and tourists from all over the world visit Bodhgaya, to study Buddhism and the art of meditation, or to simply absorb the aura of solemn grandeur that surrounds the place.

WHAT TO SEE
The Most auspicious spots to visit in Boddhagaya are the places where LORD BUDDHA spent seven weeks after his enlightment.

The MAHABODHI TEMPLE at Buddhagaya is the holiest of the holy Buddhist shrine. It is located on the very sacred site where in the sixth century B.C. Bodhisatva, after six years of rigid hardships and self-motification, followed the intense and incomparable meditation had attained SAMBODHI, supreme enlightment and became a Buddha, enlightened one, the holy one, the blessed one. The temple is marked by stone lotuses; its stone walls depict the life and aspects of the Buddha including one facet of his previous birth. The Mahabodhi Temple is 170 feet high while its base is 50 feet square. The temple is believed to be standing on the site of a shrine, erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BC. Although the current temple was restored in the 11th century, and again in 1882, it is said to be the same as the one standing here since the 7th century.

THE JEWEL WALK
The Bo tree growing here is believed to be the direct descendant of the original tree, under which the Buddha sat, meditated and attained enlightenment. A sapling from the original tree, was taken to Sri Lanka by Sanghamitra (Emperor Ashoka's daughter), when Ashoka took Buddhism to the island.

THE VAJRASANA
The seat of enlightment. The red sandstone under the tree is said to be the Vajrasan, or diamond throne, which the Buddha sat on. The platform beneath the tree has a stone carving of his footsteps where the devout make flower offerings.

THE ANIMESH LOCHANA
It is the place where LORD BUDDHA gazed at the pious Bodhi Tree for a week.

THE JEWEL WALK
A platform with eighteen carved lotuses, where LORD BUDDHA walked up and down during the second week after his supreme attainment.

THE RAJYATNA TREE
Not much known about Rajyatna tree.

THE RATNAGRIH
The place where multicolor-ray had enimated.

THE AJAPALA NIGRODHA TREE
A place where Sujata had offered Rice-Milk (Kheer) preparation to LORD BUDDHA.

THE MUCHILINDA LAKE
The Holi tank where NAGA king had given protection to Lord Buddha during a disastrous storm. South of the temple 3 kms. away is a lake close to the village Mucharim. Muchalinda, the multi-hooded snake king guards the lotus in the gardens. The legend is that Muchalinda protected the Buddha against the thunder and rain sent by the asuras and demons, to disturb his meditation.

Besides seven spots, the visitors go around Bodhgaya seeing the Monastries, The Temples, The Stupa and The Railings.

MEDITATION COURSES
Courses and retreats take place in winter, mainly from November to early February. The Root Institute for Wisdom Culture runs some of the most accessible courses sent in a peaceful location on the edge of Bodhgaya. The Magadh University and some monasteries also run courses here.

GETTING THERE
Bodh Gaya is 13 km from Gaya. Gaya is located 100 km away from Patna, the capital of Bihar and is a major Hindu religious centre.

WHEN TO VISIT
The best time to visit is between October and March when the weather is at its most pleasant.

WHERE TO STAY
Accommodation is available in various hotels, dormitories, monasteries and guesthouses. The ITDC Hotel, Bodhgaya Ashok, has been renovated, and has single and double rooms available.