Bodhgaya City Travel Guide

General Information Of Bodhgaya

• Area
• Population 22000
• Altitude 113 Meters above sea level

• Language Bhojpuri, Hindi and English
• Best Time to visit : October to April
• Std Code 0631

Introduction to city

Historically known as the Bodhimanda; Bodhgaya, which had a large monastic settlement is situated in Gaya district of the Indian state of Bihar. The main monastery of Bodhgaya, which used to be called the Bodhimanda-vihāra, is now called the Mahabodhi Temple. Regarded by Buddhists as the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha, Bodhgaya is followed by Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath in terms of religious significance. The Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002.

Sightseeing : Places to visit in destination - Bodhgaya

Bodh Gaya is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha, the other three being Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath. Wandering as a monk, Prince Gautama Siddhartha reached the banks of Falgu River, near the city of Gaya. There he sat in meditation under a Bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa). After three days and three nights of meditation, Siddharta attained enlightenment and insight, and the answers that he had sought. He then spent seven weeks at seven different spots in the vicinity meditating and considering his experience. He travelled to Sarnath, where he began teaching Buddhism, after seven weeks.

Excursions : Places nearby city - Bodhgaya

The two most important places that can be visited from Bodhgaya are Nalanda and Rajgir. Nalanda was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 CE to 1197 CE. Located 34 km off Bodhgaya, Rajgir is the place where the first Buddhist Council was held.