Bodhgaya, India.

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Bodhgaya Tour Bihar, India.

Bodhgaya: Place of Enlightenment, Bihar, India: “This is a place that a pious disciple should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.” 

This is the place where Tathagat Buddha got enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. A Buddha Vihar still stands tall was constructed on the same site/place by Mauryan king Emperor Asoka. 

Before enlightenment Buddha had the Payasam offered by Sujata, daughter of a wealthy merchant of Uruvela (old name of Bodhgaya). Her Kutir (… now there stands a stupa on this site) across the Falgu (Niranjana) river. 

After enlightenment Tathagat spent around 45 days meditating at different places within the Vihara premises and these places have their own significance. Muchalinda Lake where Buddha used to bath is within the Vihar complex. 

The diamond throne, the most sacred place for Buddhist (Vajrasana), the place under Bodhi tree where Buddha meditated and got enlightenment, is located in the campus. The tourists around the world visit this place and feel elevated by spending time meditating under this holy tree. It is said that Emperor Asoka personally supervised the construction and activities of this Vihar. 

What to see: Since it is one of the major Buddhist sacred places, one can visit and see the places connected to Tathagat Buddha. There are many Buddhist monasteries from different countries. Each one of them is unique in design and worth visiting. Big Buddha (statue) built and maintained by Japanese is the biggest attraction. 

There are monasteries from Japan, Burma, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia etc. There is a Govt. museum just near to the main Vihar (behind) where one can also archeological ruins of 2500 years of Buddhist heritage. 

Right time to visit: October to March. During this period lakhs of people visit this place. Behind Sri Lankan monastery south Indian food like Idli and Dosa is available (Idli, Dosa hotel). 

Transport: Bodhgaya is about 17 kms from Gaya railway station, on the bank of Falgu (Niranjana) river. It is well connected by air, train and road network. The Gaya airport is 5-6 kms from Bodhgaya. From Gaya railway station Tuk-Tuks charge Rs.15/- to Rs.20/- (sharing autos) to Bodhgaya and vice versa. Gaya (Bodhgaya) airport is situated between Gaya and Bodhgaya. Airport to Bodhgaya is around 5-6 kms. Tuk-Tuks charge anything from Rs: 500-600/- Varanashi to Gaya is about 250 kms. As Gaya is situated on national highway many trains ply between Gaya & Varanashi and vice versa. Since, the road transport is poor in Bihar, train journey will be the better choice. 

Saranath (Isipatana): It is near Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh state of India. The wheel of Dhamma was set

into motion 2600 years ago from this place by Tathagat Buddha. This is the place where he gave Dhamma discourse or sermon to to his first 5 disciples in the deer park, Isipatana. 

What to see: The Dhammyak stupa and the ruins of deer park built by Emperor Asoka reminds us of the place where Tathagat Buddha conducted his first sermon to his first five disciples is well preserved. The lion’s symbol on Indian emblem is taken from this holy Buddhist place which was the symbol of fearlessness by Buddhist king Emperor Asoka. Now this original symbol is preserved in the museum just near to the ruins of Saranath Buddhist sites. 

Transport: Saranath is about 8-10 km from Varanashi Jn., Railway station. Varanashi is well connected by air, rail and road network. 

Parinibbana temple.

Kusinagar: Place of Decease (Mahaparinibbana), Kushinagar near Kasia in Uttar Pradesh, India: “This is a place that a pious disciple should visit and look upon with feelings of reverence.” Kusinagar was the capital city of Malla kings. This is the place where Tathagat Buddha attained the Mahaparinibbana. The Malla kings performed the final rites of Tathagat Buddha with full honor of royal respects. He was cremated on the banks of Hiranyavati River. Today, this cremation place is called as “Rambhar” Stupa.  

 

Tathagat Buddha

What to see: Apart from Mahaparinibbana temple and Rambhar Stupa, there are many Buddhist monasteries of different countries spread across the road from Mahaparinibbana vihar (temple) to Rambhar Stupa. There are many Buddhist monasteries from Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, China, Korea etc. Just opposite to Sri Lanka and Thailand monasteries, there is a Govt. Museum having rich collection of Buddhist and Jain historical findings. The Parinibbana Vihara, Rambhar stupa and Mata Mandir are the only historical Buddhist monuments in Kusinagar. 

The delicious food with reasonable rates is available in hotels opposite to Mahaparinibbana temple. 

Transport: There is Kusinagar airport is opened and is operational. There is very good rail connectivity between Varanasi and Gorakhpur. The distance between Gorakhpur to Kusinagar is approximately 45 km, regular buses ply between Gorakhpur to Kusinagar. The fare is approx, Rs:25/-. The distance between Mahaparinibbana temple to Rambhar Stupa is about 3 km. Tuk-Tuks and manual rikshaws charge Rs:30/- or Rs:50/- respectively. 

Vaishali: Vaishali was the capital city of Lichavi Kingdom. And the birth place of democracy (the
government elected by the people). A most beautiful and famous dancer and a courtesan Amrapali lived in this modern city (of her times) of Vaishali. The history has it that the Magadh king Bimbisara was attracted to and fell in love with this courtesan beauty queen. Tathagata Buddha while going to Kusinagar, visited Vaisali before his Parinibbana. The courtesan Amrapali become a Bhikkuni (Buddhist nun) after visiting Tathagat Buddha and donated all her wealth and landed property to the Buddhist Bhikku Sangha. Historically recognized Mango Grove garden in Vaishali is one of her donations. Pali was the language of masses during the time of Tathagat Buddha. It is still in practice till today in this area. The local people call it Ardha-Magadi. People proudly claim that they speak the same language what once Tathagat Buddha spoke.  

What to see: Vishwa Shanti Stupa built by the Japanese. There is lake where royal family and commoners were enjoyed water sports and boating. The Mango Grove garden where the holy relics of Tathagat Buddha was preserved under a stupa which was later opened and taken out by Mauryan Emperor Asoka and built 84000 stupas enshrining these relics (Asthi…) throughout his empire. Apart from this historical monument/ruin there are many Buddhists monasteries from various countries which are worth visiting. Transport: The distance from Hajipur to Vaishali is scenic and beautiful for nature photography. Vaishali is 65-70 km from Hajipur which is the twin city of Patna, the capital of Bihar. From Hajipur (Gandhi Chowk Hajipur) there are Tuk-Tuks on sharing basis. Since the public transport in Bihar is very poor, it is advisable to hire the auto for both to & fro journey. It may cost about Rs: 600-700/- for four people. Fares are bargain able.  

Patna: Patna is the capital city of state of Bihar, India. It is situated on the bank of river Ganges. Its historical name is Pataliputra which was the Capital city of mighty Mauryan empire. It was a well-developed modern city with all the amenities of the time. From the time of Nanda dynasty and all the ten Mauryan monarchs made Pataliputra as their capital city and ruled the empire with iron fist. After the murder of Brihdrath, the 10th Mauryan king by his own army commander Pushyamitra Sunga, the Mauryan Empire was destroyed and the mighty kingdom collapsed. Pataliputra was spread across some 10 km wide and 32km in length along the river Ganges. Since it is situated in the planes of fertile land of Ganges and no stones are available, they had to rely on kilned bricks for construction material. Till date we can only find brick buildings all over across the Ganges plains.  

What to see: The ruins of Pataliputra (now called as Kumrahar) can be seen in modern Patna city some 12-15 kms from Patna railway station. One-way Tuk-Tuks charges is Rs: 30-50/-. As this historical place is within Patna city, most of it looks like encroached and reduced to an average size of a corporation garden. Govt. museum, opposite to Patna railway station is worth visiting.  

Transport: Patna is well connected by air, rail and road networks. The grand trunk road or GT Road connecting Peshawar (… in Pakistan) to Pataliputra (India) that was planned by Emperor Asoka’s grandfather emperor Chandragupta Maurya is a national highway, connecting eastern part of India to western part and is still in operation/use upto Punjab, India. The Patna city has very good rail connectivity. Its twin city Hajipur is also connected by rail network. The Tuk-Tuks are the cheap and best transport between Hajipur and Patna. They charge about Rs:25-40/- per person on sharing basis. 

Nalanda: The ruins of world-famous Nalanda university are just 15 km from Rajgir and 65 kms from
Bodhgaya. It is approximately 70 km from the well-known educational center Vikramasila University that once contributed/produced world renowned mathematician from India. The ruins of Nalanda University is situated at about 2 km from the main road. As per the historical records and information from the certified guides, this University campus was spread across tens of kilometers. However, the archeologists have identified and excavated a very small portion of it approximately less than a 1 Sq.Km. It is said that the present entrance gate to the University is not the actual or original one because so far, the main gate is not known or not identified yet. The archeological research is in progress to find it. Whatever is found out and seen today, is the small portion of the University campus consisting of hostel and residential building for students and the Acharyas (Teachers/Professors) respectively. Many mounds are/can be seen around the present archeological site which is under study by archeological survey of India (ASI) and some are being excavated. 

What to see: The ruins of Nalanda University – ruins of large library building, ruins of hostel buildings, monasteries in ruins, vast area over which a large number of mounds supposed to be containing the ruins underneath them. 

Transport: Since it is an isolated, distance place from Bodhgaya and having very poor public transport facility, it is advisable to hire a cab for to & fro journey. As is known the cab service providers ask for more than the genuine fares. From Bodhgaya cab service return fares are from Rs.2500-3500/-. Always bargain for below 50% of the fares. On the way one can visit Dungeswari caves where Tathagat Buddha spent about 6 years in meditation before going to Uruvela present day Bodhgaya. And also, Dasrat Manji gate that Manji built a road by cutting through a mountain to take his ailing wife to a hospital.  

Rajgir: This was the capital city of Magadh kingdom which was ruled by Emperor Bimbisara and his son
Emperor Ajatshatru. It is around 45 kms from Bodhgaya. Tathagat Buddha spent about 9 years in VenuVan forest monastery of this holy city. This city is situated between five mountains. There are many Buddhist monasteries in this city. Many ruins related to Buddhism and Magadh empire/kingdom are seen here. The first Buddhist conference was held here under the president-ship of Venerable Mahathero Kassappa Bhanteji.  

What to see: Rajgir has many historical places. Some of them are as follows: 

Venu Vana (a forest retreat or monastery gifted by Emperor Bimbisara to Tathagat Buddha) where Tathagat Buddha spent 9 years. Bimbisara Jail where Emperor Bimbisara was imprisoned by his son Ajatshatru, to become the king. Sonbhandar the treasury of Magadh kingdom. Velture’s Peak where Tathagat Buddha and Emperor Bimbisara used to meet and listen to Buddha’s discourse. Charaka Chikistalaya: The ruins of hospital by Acharya Charaka who was the royal physician of king Bimbisara and king Ajatshatru, who was also looked after Tathagat Buddha.  

Transport: Distance between Rajgir and Gaya is 45 km and from Gaya to Bodhgaya 17 kms. Best way of transport will be to hire a cab. 

With Metta Mr. Shirole 

mail ID: bshirole1@yahoo.com

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