Bodh Gaya: Buddhism and beyond

Tripoto
Photo of Bodh Gaya: Buddhism and beyond 1/1 by Sagnik Basu

Defining wanderlust is the hardest thing a travel enthusiast will ever do and it might just vary from person to person. Some prefer to sway at EDM concerts with plastic cups in their hands, while others prefer to hike till the top of every terrain.

Travel inwards. This autumn, explore the other side footloosing. 

Bodh Gaya is a city of tremendous religious and cultural importance, meanwhile Bihar lying along the Gangetic plains is one of the reasons this Buddhist circuit is such a crowd puller. When a young ascetic attains enlightenment and his thoughts later horizons as one of the oldest religions, well that advertises itself. Not only the locations during your trip will transcend you towards Siddhartha's(Buddha before Buddha) life, Bihar reeks of tourism and will count as a top notch pre-winter trip for your scrapbook.
  

Reaching there

AIR

Patna Airport is a well connected one with Kolkata, Delhi, Ranchi, Lucknow and Mumbai by Indian Airlines.

RAIL

The nearest rail head is Gaya and is well connected to most of the major cities.

ROAD

The road to Gaya connects Bodhgaya and you will find yourself at a distance of 16 kilometres from Delhi-Kolkata Highway junction, if long drives are your thing.

WHERE TO UNPACK 

Lodging won't be an issue at any time of the year as Bodh Gaya hosts a year round of devotees and intends to keep it that way. Consult travel agency of your choice.

Bodh Gaya is a small town and is probably the holiest Buddhist location of all. This temple is an architectural wonder and stands tall at 54 meters and has stories to tell which covers Pala king of Bengal to Chinese scholar pilgrims and Muslim Invaders. It now has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Photo of Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya, Bihar, India by Sagnik Basu
Bodh Gaya is asmall town and is probably the holiest Buddhist location of all. This temple is an architectural wonder and stands tall at 54 meters and has stories to tell which covers Pala king of Bengal to Chinese scholar pilgrims and Muslim Invaders. It now has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
This is where the epiphany struck Siddhartha and he went on to find what today is carved into Buddhism. He spent his first week of enlightenment under this tree.
Photo of Bodhi Tree (Bodhgaya}, Patna, Bihar, India by Sagnik Basu
A center of studies in history and philosophy.
Photo of Magadh University, Turi Buzurg, Bihar, India by Sagnik Basu
80 kilometers away from Gaya and an undisputed worth visit. History writes this place down as the capital of Magadhan empire and was also of Lord Buddha's favorites. His teaching were panned down here. A popular winter health resort is what this place has shaped itself as. All credits to the hot water springs and lush green forest. A great kickback location.
Photo of Rajgir, Bihar, India by Sagnik Basu
Photo of Rajgir, Bihar, India by Sagnik Basu
Photo of Rajgir, Bihar, India by Sagnik Basu
Photo of Rajgir, Bihar, India by Sagnik Basu
Photo of Rajgir, Bihar, India by Sagnik Basu
A little more than 40 kilometers from your starting point, these caves had been carved out from olid rocks and depict Lord Buddha's timeline. An important archaeological site.
Photo of Barabar Caves, Barabar Hill Road, Sultanpur, Bihar, India by Sagnik Basu