On the banks of river Niranjana (now called Falgu) is Bodh Gaya, 12 km. from the crowded Hindu Pilgrimage town of Gaya.Under the Bodhi tree, Prince Siddhartha found enlightment & became Buddha or the ‘Enlightenment One’. The Bodhi Tree is now marked by a raised platform. Bodhgaya is one of the most important places of pilgrimage for Buddhists.

WHAT TO SEE:

MAHABODHI TEMPLE:
This is the most scared of Buddha shrines anywhere in the world. It is marked.

by stone lotuses & a soaring tower. Along the stone balustrade around the temple are friezes depicting the lives of Buddha. Temple has a pyramidal spire instead of having the usual curvilinear contours. The Bodhi tree is on the west of the temple. A raised platform marks the spot where Buddha sat in meditation & became enlightened.

ANIMESHLOCHAN CHAITAYA:
Close to the Mahabodhi temple, with in the surrounding walls, stands this small temple sanctifying the spot from where Buddha stood gazing at the Bodhi tree in gratitude after he attained enlightment.

MOHANTA MONASTERY:
Separated by a wall from the mahabodhi temple is this shaivite monastery. Its four spires rise into the sky and the garden is dotted with hundreds of small samadhis-cooemorative stones.

RATNAGIRI:
A small temple again close to the Mahabodhi complex. Legend has it that Buddha spent a week in contemplation here, while rays in five different colours emanated from his body.

TIBETAN MONASTERY:
Across the market Mahabodhi, the monastery is true to the architectural style of Tibet, complete with sloping tiles roofs.

THAI TEMPLES & MONASTERY:
The Thai temple is likely to startle you. Gold lacquered tiles, sloping terraces, roofs, curled dragon forms.

BUDDHIST MONASTRY OF BHUTAN:
A typical monastery in the Bhutanese style of architecture. In the shape of graceful pagoda, the monastery stands within lovely garden.

THE BURMESE TEMPLE:
This is built in the style of a small pagoda & is remiscient of Pagan, the ancient city of five thousands of Pagodas. The Burmese monastery of the time during the 11th & 13th centuries – was much longer than the present structure.

THE CHINESE TEMPLE & MONASTERY:
Walking distance of the mahabodhi temple stands this white structure that is a cross between Chinese & Indian architecture. The fine Buddha statue inside come from china two hundred years ago.

EXCURSIONS:

DUNGESHWARI:
About 12 km. from Gaya, this is the place where Prince Siddhartha stopped briefly during his wanderings.

MUCHALINDA LAKE:
About 3 km. south of the Mahabodhi temple is the lake close to the village of Mircharism. According to legend, Buddha was protected here by the snake king, Muchalinda, against the thunder & rain sent by the demons to disturb his meditation.