With Hollywood's celebrities opting to find 'nirvana' through Buddhism, the religion has acquired a glamorous status. Bodhgaya, the place where Prince Siddharta attained his enlightenment and became the Buddha, is a small town in Bihar in eastern India. Steeped in Buddhist religion and culture, Bodhgaya contains monasteries representing all Buddhist countries in the orient- India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Tibet, Bhutan, Japan, China, Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Burma. Both pilgrims and curious travellers throng the portals of the Mahabodhi Temple that enshrines the Bodhi tree and the Bodhi seat. The temple itself is an historical and architectural marvel, originally built in the 3rd century B.C. and rediscovered as late as 1882. Anybody is welcome to walk in (there is a small entry fee and fees for cameras) and participate in the ritualistic prayers and penance.

Bodhgaya is also a gastronomer's delight- the ubiquitous 'chai' shops carry noticeboards promising Japanese, Chinese, Korean or Sri Lankan dishes. The small Archaeological Site Museum (tucked behind ITDC Bodhgaya Ashok hotel) contains ancient remains of icons, pillars, railings, etc.

From Bodhgaya, one usually makes a day trip to Rajgir and Nalanda. At Bodhgaya, you can also attend philosophical lectures, meditation courses and special seminars, organised from time to time by the various monasteries. Notices are posted on the gates.

BASICS

STD Code: 0631

Airport: Patna; then by road.

Rail: Gaya, 13 km away, is an important junction on the eastern railway route between Calcutta and Delhi. There are also direct trains from Varanasi.

Major distances: Gaya- 13 km
Rajgir- 78 km
Nalanda- 89 km
Patna- 100 km
Road: Bodhgaya is well connected to major destinations through Gaya. Local buses are plentiful but extremely crowded.

Best time: Pilgrims visit round the year. But summer temperature often soars to over 40 degree C. The best time to go around is between December and February.

Accommodation: Limited but of quite good standard in most private hotels. But checkout the budget hotels and the state tourism's tourist lodge before moving in. Most monasteries offer cheap lodgings but give preference to pilgrim's from their own countries.
Hotel Sujata (Tel: 400761), Hotel Sashi International (Tel: 400459), Mahayana Guest House (Tel: 400744), Hotel Deep (Tel: 400913), Bihar tourism's two hotels Buddha Vihar (Tel: 400445) and Siddharta Vihar (Tel: 400445).

Local transport: Cyclerickshaws and autorickshaws. Private vehicles are available for travelling to Rajgir and Nalanda. Bargain and decide on the price before making the ride.

Contact: Bihar Tourism
Jaiprakash Lok Nayak Bhawan
Patna
Tel: (0612) 210219.