Bodhgaya Tour

Bodhgaya Tour

Bodh Gaya is a city in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is famous for being the place of Buddha's attainment of Enlightenment. Historically, it was known as the Bodhimanda (ground round the Bodhi-tree), and there was a large monastic settlement there. The main monastery of Bodhgaya used to be called the Bodhimanda-vihara (Pali). Now it is called the Mahabodhi Temple. For Buddhists, 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.

Mahabodhi Tree, the exact spot where Buddha attained enlightenment is visited by the devotees in heavy amount but the peace isn’t hampered. And to behold the 80-foot tall Buddha statue you would have to put your head held high. Archeological Museum will tell you more about the Hindu and Buddhist artistry. And if you want to know more about Buddha, there perhaps isn’t a better place than Bodhgaya Multimedia Museum. Or just walk inside any or all of the immaculate monasteries of Bodhgaya like Tergar and Karma Dhargye Chokhorling.

Day 01: Bodhgaya

Assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Later evening visit Mahabodhi Temple. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Bodhgaya

After Breakfast full day city tour of bodhgaya. Visit Sujata Village, Niranjana river & various International monasteries. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03: Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda – Bodhgaya

After breakfast at hotel later excursion to Rajgir (102 kms), Rajgir is a site of great Sanctity and significance for Buddhists. Afternoon visit Gridhkutta Hill, Bimbisar jail & Ajatashatru's Fort. After 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 04: Bodhgaya / Varanasi

After Breakfast leave Bodhgaya for Varanasi by surface (250 kms / 7 hrs). Varanasi is famous for Hindus and Buddhists as its close proximity to Sarnath. Arrival check in to the hotel and then proceed to Sarnath (14 kms), Visit Dhamekha Stupa and Deer park. Later Back to Varanasi. Overnight at hotel.

Day 05: Varanasi Departure

Early morning boat excursion on the river Ganges, a ferry pilgrimage from ghat to ghat. People bathe early in the morning to offer the prayers to the rising sun. Come back to hotel for breakfast. Later sightseeing tour of the city including the Bharat Mata Temple with a big relief map of India in marble, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Banaras Hindu University which has an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Mughul Emperor Aurangazeb built on the site of an ancient Hindu Temple. Evening transfer to Varanasi airport to connect the flight for onward destination.

Payments policy

• 25% Amount at the time of booking. 100% Amount 15 days or earlier, before travel date. Payment by cheque or online payment facility available. Your booking confirmation number will be provided to you.

Tour Cancilation policy

• Strictly depends upon concerned hotel's cancellation policy
• Minimum Cancilation charges before 10days of Travel Date is 10% of package cost

• Package cost will change if opted for guide service, choice of transport vehicle, hotel type change
• Accommodation charges as mentioned in the package are with 2 persons staying together sharing the same room
• Extra persons in same room charges extra
• Altough we ensure you the best experience but unfortunate delays in travel and inefficient service of hotel is the responsibility of the respective parties.

By Train:

• Gaya Junction (Station Code: GAYA - 12 km north): Premier A1 railway junction on the New Delhi Kolkata Grand Chord route. Daily Vande Bharat Express (connecting Patna, Gaya, and Howrah), Howrah Rajdhani, Sealdah Rajdhani, Purushottam Express, Mahabodhi Express (direct daily express from New Delhi), and Poorva Express connect Gaya to Delhi (12 hours), Kolkata (6 hours), Varanasi (3.5 hours), Patna (2 hours), and Mumbai (24 hours).

By Air:

• Gaya International Airport (Airport Code: GAY - 10 km north): International airport operating scheduled and seasonal flights to Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi), Colombo, Paro (Bhutan), Yangon, and direct domestic flights to Delhi, Kolkata, and Varanasi.
• Jay Prakash Narayan Airport (Airport Code: PAT - Patna 115 km north): Domestic hub connecting all Indian metros.

By Road:

• From Patna (~115 km / 3 hours): Via 4 lane NH-22 expressway.
• From Varanasi (~250 km / 5 hours): Via 6 lane NH-19 (Grand Trunk Road).
• From Rajgir (~70 km / 2 hours): Via State Highway 82.
• Regular AC Volvo buses, state transport buses, and pre-paid taxis connect Bodh Gaya to Gaya, Patna, and Varanasi.

Bodh Gaya features ancient pyramidal brick stupas, sacred Bodhi trees, giant Buddha statues, and international monasteries:

1. Mahabodhi Temple Complex & Vajrasana (55-Meter UNESCO World Heritage Brick Temple & Diamond Throne)

A grand UNESCO World Heritage architectural marvel constructed entirely of brick during the Gupta era in the 5th century. Soaring 55 meters in a grand pyramidal spire, it enshrines a gilded 10th century black stone image of Gautama Buddha touching the earth in Bhumisparsha mudra, alongside the ancient 3rd century BCE Ashokan Vajrasana (Diamond Throne).

Mahabodhi Temple Complex — 55-Meter Pyramidal Stupa and UNESCO World Heritage Site

2. Sacred Bodhi Tree (Ficus Religiosa & Direct Lineage of Buddha's Enlightenment)

Located directly behind the Mahabodhi Temple, this sacred pipal tree (Ficus religiosa) marks the exact spot where Siddhartha Gautama sat in supreme meditation and attained enlightenment. The present tree was planted in 1881 by Alexander Cunningham as a direct descendant of the original tree via a sapling brought from Anuradhapura in Sri Lanka.

Sacred Bodhi Tree — Sacred Ficus Religiosa under which Gautama Buddha Attained Enlightenment

3. The Great Buddha Statue (80-Foot Monolithic Granite Daibutsu in Dhyana Mudra)

A colossal 80 foot (25 meter) tall statue consecrated in 1989 by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. Carved by 12,000 stonemasons using red granite and sandstone blocks, it portrays Lord Buddha seated in serene meditation atop a giant blooming lotus pedestal, flanked by his ten principal disciples.

The Great Buddha Statue — 80-Foot Monolithic Granite Daibutsu in Dhyana Mudra Meditation

4. Wat Thai Buddhagaya & International Monasteries (Thai Gold-Tiled Pagoda, Bhutanese & Japanese Temples)

Built in 1957 by the Royal Thai Government, this monastery features a magnificent sloped gold tiled roof, curved eaves, and exquisite murals depicting Buddha's life. Bodh Gaya also houses international monasteries representing Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, Japan, Vietnam, and Tibet.

Wat Thai Buddhagaya — Royal Thai Gold-Tiled Pagoda and Buddhist Monastic Center

5. Dungeshwari Cave Temples / Mahakala Caves (Pre-Enlightenment Ascetic Caves - 12 km)

Nestled in the rocky Dungeshwari hills 12 km northeast of Bodh Gaya, these sacred caves are where Prince Siddhartha meditated for six arduous years surviving on a single grain of rice daily, before realizing that extreme mortification does not lead to truth.

Dungeshwari Cave Temples — Sacred Caves where Buddha Practiced Severe Ascetic Penance

6. Muchalinda Lake & Serpent King Shesha Shrine (Sacred Meditation Pond & Naga King Bronze)

A sacred pond inside the Mahabodhi complex commemorating the sixth week of Buddha's enlightenment, when Mucalinda, the Serpent King of the subterranean realms, spread his multi headed hood to shield meditating Buddha from a severe tempest.

7. Sujata Stupa & Sujata Kuti (Ancient Memorial of the Maiden Offering Kheer at Bakraur - 3 km)

Located across the Niranjana River in Bakraur, this 8th century brick stupa commemorates Sujata, the village milkmaid who offered sweet rice milk (kheer) to an emaciated Siddhartha, giving him the physical strength to attain supreme enlightenment.

8. Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum & Stone Railings (Ashokan Carvings & 1st-Century BCE Yakshi Panels)

Houses a collection of 1st century BCE sandstone railings that originally enclosed the Mahabodhi Temple, carved with medallions of Surya, Lakshmi, and mythical Makaras, alongside bronze Pala sculptures.

9. Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple & Royal Bhutanese Monastery (Zen Rock Gardens & Traditional Dzong Art)

Showcasing Japanese wooden pagoda architecture and Zen rock gardens, alongside the ornate Royal Bhutanese Monastery adorned with carved dragons, thangka paintings, and 3D clay mandalas.