About Bodhgaya
India is a land unique for its secular spirit. It is a country where all faiths flourish and co-exist, home to innumerable spiritual forces in the form of many gods and saints. In this sense, India offers several religious places of pilgrimage, small towns and cities that throb with the fervor of faith. These can be interesting destinations, and a fulfilling experience, and you can take your pick from any of the myriad places of pilgrimage: Hindu, Sikh, Islamic, Christain, Buddhist or Jain.
One such place is Bodh Gaya, the greatest pilgrim center for Buddhists from all over the world. The life of Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, is associated with this small town, as this is where he attained spiritual enlightenment. Located in the central part of the State of Bihar, in the northeastern part of India, it is a part of the great Ganges plains. It is situated on the west of the Falgu River, which is a tributary of River Ganges and is thirteen kilometers south of the main city of Gaya, which is 113 kilometers further south of Patna, the capital city of Bihar.
Bodhgaya is one of the four holiest cities of Buddhist faith, and apart from being a great spiritual center, it is also an important study center for the learning of Buddhism.
Gaya : The town of Gaya is 13 kilometers away from Bodhgaya, and is also located on the Falgu River. This is an important place of pilgrimage for the Hindus, just as Bodhgaya is for the Buddhists. People come here to perform rituals on the banks of the river, in order to provide peace to the departed soul of their ancestors.
The Dalai Lama is also said to visit Bodhgaya sometimes in December. This small and peaceful town is truly a great experience, if you want to absorb the flavor of Buddhism, its teachings and its culture.
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Getting there
The nearest airport to Bodhgaya is at Patna, the capital of Bihar. From here, you would have to take a taxi or a bus and make the short 106 kilometer journey by road. For those who prefer train travel, Gaya Railway Station is closeby, merely 12 kilometers from Bodh Gaya. The station is a very big junction, and is served by trains from all over the country.
Climate
The best time to be in Bodhgaya is during winter, between the months of October and February, as, being in the plains, the climate here is tropical, with hot summers, (April-June), and cool winters (October-February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains from July until September..
Historical Background
Places to visit
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