An ancient town of historical, mythological, and religious significance, Gaya is one of the most sacred places for Hindus and Buddhists alike. The second largest city of Bihar (after Patna), Gaya has evolved as a pilgrim center and a major attraction for travelers from all over the world. The significance of this holy town dates back to as far as Ramayana and Mahabharata and to the era of Gautam Buddha.
While the town of Gaya is replete with Hindu temples, shrines, and spiritual centers, one part of the town holds major significance for Buddhists. Bodh Gaya, about 15.4 Km from the city center of Gaya, is a religious site and the most revered place for followers of Buddhism. The Mahabodhi Temple complex of Bodh Gaya and all its monasteries, temples, and viharas (Buddhist Learning Centers) are collectively recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bodh Gaya is recognized as one of the four major pilgrimage sites for Buddhists, the other three being Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath.
How to reach Gaya
Being a major town, Gaya is well connected to other major cities of north India by road, rail, and airways. Those traveling down from the further north can book a taxi in Muzaffarpur and reach Gaya in about four and a half hours. You can also take a train and hire a taxi service in Gaya to travel to Bodh Gaya and other parts of the town, since local commute is not as widespread as other cities, making it a relatively quieter place.
Religious significance
Gaya, along with Bodh Gaya make for an ultimate destination for those seeking a divine travel experience. In Hinduism, it is believed that if you pray for your ancestors in Gaya, you gain Moksha- the liberation from the cycle of life and death. In fact, the reference to this ritual (also called Pind-Daan) is mentioned in the epics of Mahabharata.
On the other hand, Bodh Gaya gained its significance among Buddhists as an epicenter of the religious faith and a center of Buddhist learnings. It is believed that Lord Gautam Buddha achieved enlightenment under the tree of what became the heart of the Mahabodhi Temple complex. In fact, the Bodhi tree, named after Buddha, still stands tall in the same place, even after centuries. The first ever Buddhist temple was built here by King Ashoka after he submitted himself to the divine path and embarked on a soul-searching journey through Buddhism. The religious complex also has several monasteries and temples built by Buddhist communities of other countries where Buddha preached his principles and philosophies like Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Taiwan, and Japan. Each site and structure of these temples reflect the architectural style, mythology, and historical narratives of the respective countries, making Bodh Gaya the epicenter of Buddhism for it followers from all over the world.
A divine sanctum
The city of Gaya thrives on serenity, salvation, and spirituality. The captivating rituals, inspiring discourse help expand one’s outlook towards life, irrespective of their religions. Here one can find true communal harmony where Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Jainism, and other faiths come together with equal reverence, with the common goal of walking the path towards divinity and seeking spiritual upliftment.
A historic city with intriguing tales, coupled with the divine vibes, Bodh Gaya unfolds a new perspective of the ‘seeker’, at every step.
