27/09/2021
Gaya –Rajgir And Nalanda Tour
Gaya : Gaya is a city located in Gaya district of Bihar which is worldwide reckoned as an important religious site for Hindus. The city has great religious and traditional significance with its highly valued historical facts. Located on the banks of River Falgu, this city is a sacred place for the followers of Jain, Buddhism and Hindu religions. With religious and cultural values, it is believed that Pind Dan salvation to the souls of ancestors is an important ritual which must be done by a Hindu at least once in a lifetime.
Rajgir : Rajgir is a site of great Sanctity and significance for Buddhists.
Nalanda : Nalanda was one of the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world University established in 5th century BC.
Day wise Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival At Gaya
On arrival at Railway Station or Airport our team will meet and greet you and transfer to the hotel. after check in to the hotel. Visit local Sightseeing over there. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 2 : Gaya Local Sightseeing
A soil of enlightenment Gaya is a significant pilgrimage place that is steeped in great history. Equally important for Hindus as well as Buddhist. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 3 : Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda – Bodhgaya
After breakfast at hotel later excursion to Rajgir (102 kms), Afternoon visit Gridhkutta Hill, Bimbisar jail & Ajatashatru's Fort. After lunch drive to Nalanda, (12 kms). It was one of the oldest Universities of the World & International Centre for Buddist Studies. Nalanda was one of the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world University established in 5th century BC. It is believed that Lord Buddha and also the founder of Jainism religion Lord Mahavir taught at this university for years. There is even a monument to facilitate Chinese traveler monk and writer Hiuen Tsang who studied at this university in the 7th century A.D. After visit drive back to Bodhgaya. Overnight at hotel
Day 4 : Back to Home
After breakfast check out from Hotel and Drop back for your return journey
Tour End.
Sightseeing Includes in Gaya
1. Mahabodhi Temple
2. Great Buddha Statue
3. Tibetan Refugee Market
4. Bodhi Tree
5. Thai Monastery
6. Mahabodhi Temple Complex Book store
7. Muchalinda Lake
8. Royal Bhutan Monastery
9. Brahmayoni Temple
10. Cankamana
11. Chinese Temple
12. Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple
13. Vishnupad Temple
14. Vietnamese Temple
15. Kundan Bazaar
16. Jama Masjid
17. Dungeshwari Hills
18. Root Institute for Wisdom Culture
19. Burmese Vihara Monastery
20. Sujatha Temple
21. Archaeological Society of India Museum
22. Sujata Kuti
23. Bodhgaya Multimedia Museum
24. Daijokyo Buddhist Temple
25. Animesh Lochana Chaitanya Shrine
Mahabodhi Temple
Weather : 32° C,Timings : 5:00 AM - 12:00 PM, 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM,Time Required : 2-3 hrs
Entry Fee : No entry fee except the ones charged for camera and video equipment
The Mahabodhi temple, also called the "Great Awakening Temple", is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Bodhgaya, Bihar. It is a Buddhist temple that marks the location where the Lord Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. Lord Buddha holds a very significant place in the religious history of India as he is believed to be the 9th an
d the most recent incarnation of Lord Vishnu to have walked the earth. The temple spreads over an area of a whopping 4.8 hectares and is 55 meters tall. The Bodhi Tree is situated to the left of the temple and is believed to be the direct descendant of the actual tree under which Lord Gautam Buddha meditated and attained enlightenment and laid down his philosophy for life. The original temple was built by Emperor Ashoka after he turned to Buddhism in order to seek peace and solitude from war and conquests.
The great Emperor Ashoka visited Bodh Gaya in around 260 BC. During his visit, he constructed a small temple by a tree, which was the Bodhi tree- the tree under which Gautam Buddha was sitting when he attained enlightenment. An inscription dated back to between 1st century and 2nd century read that the temple built by Emperor Ashoka was replaced by a new one. Many monks and devotees can be seen performing countless prostrations to the tree. It's a purificatory ritual, and some monks are known to do up to 1,00,000 prostrations at one time. The architecture of the temple and its overall silence and peace will surely enchant you as you visit it.
Great Buddha Statue
This statue of Lord Buddha is the tallest in India and was instated by the XIV Dalai Lama in 1989. It is a meditating Buddha resting on a giant lotus, constructed using intricately carved sandstone and red granite.
Tibetan Refugee Market
This market is paradise for shopping lover. It offers a large variety of winter-wears, handicrafts and souvenirs, etc.
Bodhi Tree
Weather : 32° C ,Time Required : 1-2 hours,Entry Fee : No entry fee
The Bodhi Tree, located 100 kilometres to the south of Patna in the north Indian state of Bihar, is perhaps the most prominent and respected sacred places in Buddhism because of the rich historical significance attached to it. It is under this tree that Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher who later became to be known as the Buddha, attained enlightenment. It is believed that Prince Siddhartha had to sit and meditate under this tree for seven days. Later on, a shrine known as Animisalocana Cetiya was erected on the spot where he had sat down. A small temple was also built near the Bodhi tree in the 7th century.
The Bodhi tree is a frequently visited destination spot by tourists and is one of the four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites. In fact, the Anandabodhi tree in Sravasti and the Bodhi tree in Anuradhapura, both of which are again significant places that find mention in the history of Buddhism, are believed to have been propagated from this tree here at Bodh Gaya. The aura of the Bodhi tree and the temple complex in which this tree is located have attracted sages, meditators and yogis to it ever since the time of the Buddha. Great and renowned spiritual figures like Buddhajnana, Padmasambhava, Vimalamitra, Nagarjuna and Atisha, have lived and meditated underneath the historically and religiously significant Bodhi Tree. Bodh Gaya is also popular for its UNESCO World Heritage Site- the Mahabodhi Temple Complex, which is just beside the tree. Religious people, as well as lovers of history, find this place especially fascinating.
Thai Monastery
Well known for its curved roof covered with exquisite tiles of gold, the Thai Monastery houses a bronze statue of Buddha and another recently erected 25m high statue in the garden.
Mahabodhi Temple Complex Book store
This book store offers a wide range of collection of Buddhist books, books on Buddhist culture and history of Mahabodhi Temple.
Muchalinda Lake
A popular site at Bodh Gaya, the Muchalinda Lake is located next to the main temple. It is associated with a mythological tale stating that Lord Buddha was protected from the storm by Snake King Muchalinda.
Royal Bhutan Monastery
The Royal Bhutan Monastery has been named so, as it was built by the King of Bhutan as a dedication to Lord Buddha. Clay carvings are seen on the interior walls of the monastery that depict different aspects of the Buddhist culture.
Brahmayoni Temple
Devotees who wish to visit this temple must go through a grueling climb of 424 high stone steps to reach the top of the hill, atop which lies this temple.
Two caves namely Brahmayoni and Matreoni are also situated on the hill along with an ancient temple of Astabhujadevi. Brahmayoni hill was the place where Buddha preached the fire-sermon to a thousand former fire worshipping ascetics and it is said that each ascetic became enlightened after hearing his teachings.
Cankamana
Situated along the Bodhi Temple, Cankamana is a holy shrine featuring a carving of Lord Buddha's feet into the black stone lotuses.
Chinese Temple
Chinese Temple was constructed by Buddhist monks. It displays beautiful Chinese artwork with a statue of Lord Buddha within the sanctum.
Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple
An outstanding example of Buddhist culture and Japanese architecture, this temple was built in 1972 with the help of International Buddhist communities.
The structure of the temple is carved out of wood and it looks like a Japanese shrine. It also showcases a lot of Japanese paintings narrating events from the life of Gautam Buddha.
Vishnupad Temple
As the name suggests, this temple was built as a dedication to Lord Vishnu and features a 40 cm long footprint of Lord Vishnu that is enclosed by a basin made of silver plates.
This footprint marks the act of Lord Vishnu subduing Gayasur by placing his feet on Gayasur's chest. Within the courtyard, there are other temples situated as well. One is dedicated to Lord Narasimha and another to Lord Shiva in the form of Phalgwisvara. This temple serves as a very significant place of worship for Hindus and is located in Gaya.
Vietnamese Temple
Vietnamese Temple is the most recently constructed shrine in the area and features a serene looking statue of Buddha which exudes a calming aura and appears to be smiling.
Kundan Bazaar
Kundan Bazaar is an ideal place for those looking for souvenirs to back home, books and other handicrafts of the region.
Jama Masjid
Jama Masjid is the largest mosque in the state of Bihar and dates back to around 200 years. It was built by the royal family of Muzaffarpur. The shrine is well known for its festival Shabina when the prayers are offered on the 27th night of Ramadan.
Dungeshwari Hills
Dungeshwari Hills is where Lord Buddha spent a few years before travelling to Bodh Gaya in search of enlightenment. The hills are mostly known for the caves that Gautam Buddha used for shelter and meditation. The Stupas/ Buddhist shrines exist even today amidst the beautiful natural surroundings. The picturesque location of the Dungeshwari Hills is also a well-known trekking destination and draws enthusiasts in large numbers.
Root Institute for Wisdom Culture
Root Institute for Wisdom Culture is a Buddhist Centre that educates and promotes wisdom culture through programmes and social service. It functions as per the Tibetan tradition and is often considered as a spiritual retreat that offers a tranquil atmosphere to study and practise the culture in its true form.
Burmese Vihara Monastery
Burmese Vihara Monastery is a spiritual retreat for those who wish to take a break from their stressful lifestyle. Located amidst beautiful gardens, the tranquil monastery was built according to traditional Burmese architecture and houses a Buddha Meditation Hall, a library with a large collection of books on the teachings of Lord Buddha and a guest house.
Sujatha Temple
Sujatha Temple is dedicated to a humble tribal woman named Sujatha who offered pudding to Gautam Buddha. It is said that the pudding was the first meal Gautam Buddha had consumed after years of starvation ever since he renounced the materialistic life including food to attain enlightenment. The temple is considered to be religiously important as the offering is believed to have saved Lord Buddhaês life.
Archaeological Society of India Museum
Archaeological Society of India Museum was established to display ancient articles belonging to the Brahmanical and Buddhist belief, mostly related to Pala period. Exhibits of splendid stone and bronze statues and sculptures, panels, rods, plaques, pillars, railings, etc are found in the galleries, courtyard and the veranda of the museum that is located inside the Mahabodhi Temple Complex.
Sujata Kuti
Sujata Kuti is a stupa built in the honour of a tribal woman named Sujata who saved Gautam Buddhaês life by offering him rice pudding after he had starved himself for years in the process of attaining Nirvana and renouncing every luxury he had including food. Sujata Kuti, is thus, considered religiously important in the Buddhist Culture.
Bodhgaya Multimedia Museum
Bodhgaya Multimedia Museum was established to provide a glimpse into the historical life of Gautam Buddha in the most interesting way possible. The museum covers his journey right from his childhood till he attained Nirvana. It also includes content on his teachings and all of this is presented in the form of multimedia and 3D animation movies.
Daijokyo Buddhist Temple
Daijokyo Buddhist Temple is a tranquil respite for those seeking one amidst beautiful surroundings. The most prominent feature of the temple is the 64 foot tall Great Buddha Statue made of sandstone and granite. It draws visitors in large numbers. The temple also houses a grand meditation hall where one can sit in solitude and soak the peaceful vibe of the surroundings.
Animesh Lochana Chaitanya Shrine
Animesh Lochan Chaitya Shrine is where Lord Buddha spent his second week of meditation after attaining Nirvana. It is believed that his meditation involved gazing at the Bodhi Tree continuously without blinking. The place, therefore, was named Animesh Lochan which means –Open Eyes” and is considered important as it teaches self control and focus.
