| About: |
| The Bodhi Temple located in the Bodhgaya is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage centre. It is believed that here only, Lord Buddha under the famous Banyan tree, attained enlightenment. Founded by the emperor Ashoka in 3rd century B.C., temple has the reflection of the Gupta architecture. Spread on 15mt square, Bodhi temple is 52mts in height. Statue of Buddha, in the pose of touching the earth is the main attraction of the temple and is said to be 1700 years old. Inside the temple, visitors can see a musuem, exhibiting a collection of Buddhist and Hindu relics, terracota seals, scriptures etc. Along the temple one can see monastery, a diamond throne, a canopy supported by pillars. The Banyan tree under which Lord Buddha meditated and attained enlightenment must be seen. One can see many temples, stupas, monasteries and medication centres around this holy temple. The Bodhi Temple, built in the 3rd century is an important Buddhist pilgrimage centre. Buddhist pilgrims and tourists from all parts of the world, visit Bodh Gaya to study Buddhism and the art of meditation. The visitors throng the temple to simply get the aura of solemn beauty that surrounds the place. Bodhi temple has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is the place where Lord Sakyamuni (Gautam Buddha), entered into meditation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind. The temple has ruined shrines and memorial, which were erected at the site to commemorate the incidents before and after enlightenment. In addition to a important Buddhist centre, the Bodhi Temple is also a significant archaeological site. The Buddhists from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Tibet, Bhutan and Japan have established monasteries and temples near the Bodhi Temple. |
| Location info: |
| Address:Bodhi Temple,Gaya,Bihar,India |
| District: Gaya |
| Nearest City: Gaya |
| Best time to visit: October to March |
| Climate/Weather: |
| Summer- Max. 43, Min. 21. Winter – Max. 20, Min. 6. Rainfall: 120 cms. |
| History: |
| Some 25 centuries ago, Lord Buddha had attained enlightenment at Bodhgaya sitting under the Bodhi tree. The original Bodhi tree had died and the present one is regarded as the fifth Some 250 years after Buddha attained enlightenment, Emperor Ashoka visited Bodhgaya and is said to have constructed the Mahabodhi temple. Ashoka is also believed to have constructed a monastery and erected a diamond throne shrine at the seat of enlightenment. In fact, several shrines were constructed with enshrined images for use as places of worship. The shape of the Mahabodhi temple resembles that of a pyramid. The imposing structure rises to a height of 52 metres. The basement of the temple is square with a length and breadth of 15 metres. In the four corners of the temple are Bodhi Temple Bodhgaya |
| Interesting things to do: |
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Festivals Celebrated: Buddha Jayanti is celebrated in a very big way in Bodhgaya temples. The festival, celebrated on a full moon day in April/May, attracts devotees from all parts of the world. Another important festival is Nyingma Monlam Chenmo, held in January-February for about three weeks. In this festival, prayers are held for world peace. The Dalai Lama has also attended the festival on a few occasions. |
| Interesting things to Visit: |
| Aurangabad Caves: Located in the outskirts, the caves are carved out between the second century and the sixth century. These caves are famous for their architecture and intricate carvings. Among the twelve caves most fascinating are the Caves 3 and 7. Ghrishneswar Temple: This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is one of the jyotirlings. Built in the 18th century, it houses many shrines of gods such as Vishnu, Ganesh, Shiva, Parvati etc. Made of red sandstone, it also includes shrines of Mahabharata heroes. Bibi – Ka – Maqbara: TBuilt in 1678, this monument is called the ‘Taj of South India’. It is a mausoleum made by Prince Azam Shah, for his mother Begum Rabia Durani, wife of the Mughal Emperor Auranzeb. Visitors can see fantastic work of Mughal architecture here. Daulatabad: Named by Mohammed Bin Tughlaq, it is located 13km away from Aurangabad and was earlier called Devgiri. Built in the 12th century, these fortress are crowned atop a hill. Known for the brilliant architecture, it served as the head quarters of the Yadava rulers. Bodh Gaya Archaeological Museum: Buddhist pilgrims in Bodhgaya, IndiaThe archaeological museum is must visit for religious art lovers. The museum has a huge collection of stone sculptures and other artifacts. The museum reflects the age of Buddha through several art forms. It houses the Buddhist sculpture collection from 1st Century B.C to 11th Century A.D. |
| Mobile range info: |
| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Gaya is the nearest railway station at a distance of 16 kms. Gaya is a major railway station and there are trains to Gaya from many destinations of India. |
| Nearest Airport:Patna airport located at a distance of 105 kms from Bodhgaya is the nearest landing facility. |
| Road Transport:Bodh Gaya is well connected by good network of roads to Gaya (12 Kms), Patna (135 Kma), Nalanda (101 Kma), Rajgir (78 Kms) and Varanasi (252 Kms). Regular buses run from Gaya, Patna, Nalanda, Rajgir and Varanasi. Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation run buses from Patna twice a day. |
| Nearest Visiting places: |
| Gaya: The ancient town of Gaya, located 100 Pawapuri: Pawapuri is also known as Apapuri, it is believed that all sins for a devout Jain end here. Lord Mahavira who was the last Tirthankar breathed his Vaishali: The world’s first democracy with a duly elected council– Vajji, had its seat of administration in Vaishali. Being associated with Buddha and Jain Tirthankars, Vaishali has emerged as a historical and scenic place. Lord Buddha came thrice here and also gave his last sermon at Vaishali. Amrapali, a courtesan, gifted a mango grove to Buddha and later she became a Buddhist nun. Vaishali was also the venue for the second Buddhist council, 100 years after the death of Buddha.Vaishali is also considered to be the birthplace of Jain Tirthankar, Mahavira, by the Swetambar sect of Jains. Many historical monuments and material were found in the excavations at Vaishali Barabar caves: The Barabar caves, generally found in the shape of a cottage or hut, open on one side with other three sides walled with stone. With their interiors smooth and soothing, these caves also served as retreats for the Jain and Buddhist monks. Among the Buddhist caves, the Lomas Rishi cave is the finest example of the world famous Indian Buddhist Chaitya arch style. Barabar hills: Barabar hills located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Gaya in Bihar, comprises numerous temples constructed from black granite stones. Built for the first time during Ashoka’s reign with contributions in the later period also, these caves look like wood from a distance. Nagarjuna caves: The Nagarjuna caves, large in size, depicts the Jataka tales. An excellent work of architecture, these caves includes bow shaped arches at the entrance, circular halls and mini caves, all polished from inside. The Sudama cave, a two chambered structure with polished interiors, is the perfect example of this type of cave. Towards the north of the Sudama cave lies Karan Choper or Supriya cave, which is a single chambered structure with a vaulted roof and small gate. Secondly, the caves of the five Pandavas form another part of the Barabar caves. THese caves, used by five brothers, the Pandavas in their exile in the Mahabharata period, are small in size. Swarna Bhandar: The Swarna Bhandar or the King Bimbisara’s treasury, is also known as the twin rock cut caves in Rajgir. a major tourist destination, two cave chambers were hollowed out of a single massive rock, one of which is believed to have been the guards’ room. The rear wall or the doorway which has two straight vertical lines and one horizontal line cut into the rock, is supposed to lead to king Bimbisara’s treasury. The inscriptions carved on the wall in Sankhalipi or shell script has not be deciphered yet and considered to be the clue to open the golden treasury. Bodhi Tree: This tree is worshipped as holy, divine and as a giver of enlightenment and wisdom. It is under this banyan tree (a pipal tree) that Lord Buddha meditated after renouncing all worldly pleasures and attained wisdom and divine enlightenment.The present Bodhi Tree is probably the fifth succession of the original tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment. Vajrasana (the posture in which he meditated), the seat of stability, is a stone platform on which the Buddha is supposed to have sat in meditation gazing east, under the Bodhi tree. Mahabodhi Temple: Buddhism is today a world renowned religion. It is this temple that witnessed the divine enlightenment of Gautama Siddartha who renounced all worldly pleasures to find the answers to the questions that stirred his soul. He meditated under a pipal tree here and attained insight and wisdom that he preached to the world. This tree is also referred to as the “Bodhi tree”. A visit to this holy place will explain to you why the UNESCO declared it as a World heritage site in the year 2002.The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhgaya built around 6th-7th centuries, is the largest but is a later structure constructed on the site of the Bodhi Shrine of Buddha. This temple was constructed by the famous Emperor Asoka who embraced Buddhism after feeling guilty of leading a life of war and destruction. The temple is 170 ft high consisting of nine TARA It is situated at a distance of about 16 Kms west of Saharsa in village Mahishi where an ancient temple of Bhagwati Tara is built. The idol of Bhagwati Tara is said to be very old and draws devotees from far and wide. Chandika Sthan at Biratpur village under Sonebarsa block of this district is famous for Madan Bharti Asthan: The place is situated in Mahishi Block. It is said that a religious discourse (Shastrath) was held between Shankaracharya and the local scholar Mandan Mishra. Bharti, SUN Temple at Like Deb (in Aurangabad district), the SUN Temple at Laxminath Gosai Sthal at The famous saint and poet of which is hardly 9 Km away from the district Dewan Ban Mandir: One Shiv Ling is established in the temple situated in Sahpur-Manjhoul of Nauhatta block. It is said that the Ling was established by Maharaja Shalivahan some time in 100BC. The Hindus celebrate a festival called Nauhatta: It is an old village, important since the time of Mughals and is presently the headquarters of the block of the same name. The village has a ‘Shiva temple’ about 80 feet in height. The temple which was damaged in the earthquake of 1934 was reconstructed by Raja Srinand Singh of Srinagar Estate. There is a grave of Madho Singh on an earthen mound about 50 feet high. Madho Singh had become a martyr in the battle of Ladri Ghat. Offerings are made on Bihar School of Yoga: Bihar School of Yoga houses a Yoga Research Library. Comprising of a well-stocked and large collection of books and data, the library is an asset in itself. Here, you will find the school’s publication on Yoga, health techniques and research, apart from other books on yoga. The school, located at Ganga Darshan, is built over a large hill overlooking the Utter-Vahini Ganga. The location of the training is very apt, as it provides the perfect ambience for the establishment of such a training centre. Bhimbandh Wild Life Sanctuary: Occupying an area of about 682 sq km, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the south-west of Munger District of Bihar. The sanctuary falls to the south of the river Ganges and is at a distance of 56 km from Munger. Besides being famous for its wildlife, the place is also well accounted for its hot water springs. These hot springs are basically found at the valley portion and the foothills of Bhimbandh. |
| Nearest Petrol Pump: |
| Petrol Pump Dobhi Gaya:Gaya,Bihar,India |
| Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
| Lotus Nikko Bodhgaya Hotel:Bodhgaya,Gaya,Bihar,India Hotel Pankaj:Tekari Road,Gaya,Bihar,India,MO:09955811250 Hotel Gharana:Hotel Gharana,South Church Road,Near Gandhi Maindan,Gaya,Bihar,India,ph:0631 2225512 |
| Things to carry: |
| Tips & Suggestions: |
| Help Line/Phone Number: |
| Police Station:100 |
|
Nearest Hospital: Government Hospital:Jehanabad,Bihar,India Holy Family Hospital:Koderma,Jharkhand,India |
| Society/Community Phone Number: |
| Link:www.mapsofindia.com |
Tag: bodhgaya
Archaeological Museum, Bodhgaya-Bihar
| Archaeological Museum, Bodhgaya-Bihar |
| About: |
| Bodhgaya, in the state of Bihar, reckoned as the most important Buddhist pilgrimage center, is the place where Lord Sakyamuni (Gautam Buddha) entered into meditation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind. The giant Bodhi Tree (Peepal) that we see today is believed to have grown from the original Bodhi Tree under which, sitting on the raised platform, Prince Siddharth meditated and There is no other place more venerated by Buddhist than Bodh Gaya, where Gautam Siddhartha attained enlightenment and came to be So, while visiting the Mahabodhi Temple don’t miss the Archaeological Museum, Bodhgaya as it houses ancient sculptures The first gallery exhibits sculptures including standing Yakshi figure having elaborate coiffure, crowned Buddha in Bhumisparsamudra, Maiterya, images of Buddha in While at Bodhgaya, one can easily observe that peace and spirituality |
| Location info: |
| Address:Archaeological Museum ,Bodhgaya,Bihar,India |
| District:Bodhgaya |
| Nearest City:Bodhgaya |
| Best time to visit: October to March |
| Climate/Weather: |
| Summer- Max. 43, Min. 21. Winter – Max. 20, Min. 6. Rainfall: 120 cms. |
| History: |
| The museum was established in the year 1956. The museum consists of two galleries and an open courtyard as well as two verandahs displaying the antiquities. The museum exhibits bronze and stone sculptures of Buddhist and Brahmanical faith of pala period, scenes related to Buddhist pantheon, Surya, Zodiac signs on railings of Sunga age, etc. |
| Interesting things to do: |
| Interesting things to Visit: |
| Bhutan Temple: Bhutan Temple is located close to Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya of Bihar. A popular pilgrim spot, the temple is built in Bhutan architectural style. Bodhi Sarovar: Bodhi Sarovar is a pond situated to the west of the Bodhi Temple in the district Gaya. It is believed that Buddha took bath in this pond before going for meditation. It is an attractive place that is worth visiting. Bodhi Tree: Bodhi, also referred to as the tree of wisdom, is a gigantic pipal tree located at the western side of Mahabodhi Temple, in Bodhgaya, one of the four holy sites to Buddhists. Situated on the banks of the Niranjana River, Bodhi Tree is 13 km from Gaya. It is believed that this tree is a direct descendant of the one under which the Buddha Sakyamuni attained enlightenment, inside the Mahabodhi complex. Below the tree is a platform, on which the footprints of Buddha have been carved out in stone. Another highlight is Vajrasan, a slab of red stone, which is believed to be the spot Buddha sat for meditation. Chinese Buddhist Temple: Located at Bodhgaya in Bihar near Nyingma Monastery, the White Chinese Buddhist Temple was constructed in 1945 and belongs to a Taiwanese-based monastic order. It is white in color and built in Indo-Chinese architectural style. The statue of Buddha inside the temple was brought from China. Dungeshwari Cave Temples: Dungeshwari Cave Temples, also known as Mahakala caves, is situated 12 km north-east of Bodhgaya, Bihar. There are three caves containing Buddhist shrines, where the Buddha is believed to have meditated. International Meditation Center: International Meditation Center, situated at Bodhgaya, offers courses Japanese Buddha Temple: Japanese Buddha Temple is an ordinary pagoda type temple situated at Bodhgaya, Bihar. The temple has fine artistry which makes it beautiful. It has a 150 ft high gold statue of the meditating Buddha brought from Japan. Mahabodhi Temple: The UNESCO certified World Heritage Site, Mahabodhi Temple is sited at Bodhgaya in Gaya District of Bihar. Built entirely in brick, it is 170 ft high and dates back to the fifth or sixth century. The temple is historically an interesting spot because it is the place where Buddha attained enlightenment. The temple stands adjacent to descendant of the original Bodhi Tree, under which Buddha sat in meditation for enlightenment. A Buddhist shrine, the temple is an ornate structure with a pyramid (50 m high) on the top. A red sandstone slab named Vajrasan can be seen beneath the tree. It is believed to be the spot where Buddha sat for meditation. Also found here is a large gilded image of Buddha. Root Institute for Wisdom Culture: Root Institute for Wisdom Culture is a registered non-profit charitable Thai Temple: |
| Mobile range info: |
| How to reach? |
| Nearest Railway Station:Gaya railway station is also connected by the rest of the country by trains. Many of the trains that run between Delhi and Kolkata go through Gaya. Direct trains also operate to destinations like Patna, Puri and Varanasi |
| Nearest Airport:Gaya airport international one and connects it to destinations like Yangon and Bangkok. Domestically, it is connected to destinations like Varanasi. |
| Road Transport:Gaya is connected by road to all the other important cities and towns of Bihar and neighbouring states– Rajgir, Patna, Giridih, Deogarh, Hazaribagh, Dhanbad, Tata and Kolkata. |
| Nearest Visiting places: |
| The Vishnupada Temple: Standing on the subterranean banks of the river Falgu, the Vishnupada temple is 3 km away from the city. It was constructed by RajaRadhakanta Dev of Shovbazaar, Kolkata and renovated by Rani Ahalya Bai of Indore. The temple has a 30 m high tower that rests on 8 rows of decorated pillars covered with silver. Within, 16 inches long and 6 inches wide lotus feet of Lord Vishnu is imprinted on a solid rock, 48 inches Ramshila Hill: Located 5 kms from the Vishnupad temple, the Ramshila Hill has a Sita Ram Lakshman Temple and Paleswara temple at its top. At Ramkund, pinda is offered. Pretshila Hill: 3 kms ahead of the Ramshila Hill is the Pretshila Hill with a kund at the bottom. Here, pind-dan of those who died in accidents is performed. Deo Sun Temple: Deo is located north of the Vishnupada temple on the banks of the Sone river, around 20 km from Gaya.The Sun temple here is extremely famous. During the Chhat puja celebration (6 days after Dipawali), pilgrims stand waist deep in the water of the river and offer prayers as well as newly harvested grains, fruits and home made sweets to Sun god. A fair is also held here during this puja. Pawapuri: Pawapuri is also known as Apapuri, it is believed that all sins for a devout Jain end here. Lord Mahavira who was the last Tirthankar breathed his last here around 500 B.C and was cremated on the bank of a large lake, overflowing with beautiful lotuses. Pawapuri, the place where Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, attained his enlightenment is located 38 kms from Rajgir and 90 kms from Patna.Legend has it that after the cremation of Mahavira, in order to meet the demand for his ashes, a large amount of soil was removed from around the funeral pyre, creating the water-tank. The beautiful marble Jalmandir was later built in the middle of the tank. Jal Mandir, the white marble temple in the middle of this lake, blooming with beautiful lotus flowers affords a breathtakingly enchanting sight. A large number of Jain pilgrims throng here. Samosharan, another Jain temple, is also located here. There are five other temples in the vicinity. Vaishali: The world’s first democracy with a duly elected council– Vajji, had its seat of administration in Vaishali. Being associated with Buddha and Jain Tirthankars, Vaishali has emerged as a historical and scenic place. Lord Buddha came thrice here and also gave his last sermon at Vaishali. Amrapali, a courtesan, gifted a mango grove to Buddha and later she became a Buddhist nun. Vaishali was also the venue for the second Buddhist council, 100 years after the death of Buddha Barabar caves: The Barabar caves, generally found in the shape of a cottage or hut, open on one side with other three sides walled with stone. With their interiors smooth and soothing, these caves also served as retreats for the Jain and Buddhist monks. Among the Buddhist caves, the Lomas Rishi cave is the finest example of the world famous Indian Buddhist Chaitya arch style. Barabar hills: Barabar hills located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Gaya in Bihar, comprises numerous temples constructed from black granite stones. Built for the first time during Ashoka’s reign with contributions in the later period also, these caves look like wood from a distance. Nagarjuna caves: The Nagarjuna caves, large in size, depicts the Jataka tales. An excellent work of architecture, these caves includes bow shaped arches at the entrance, circular halls and mini caves, all polished from inside. The Sudama cave, a two chambered structure with polished interiors, is the perfect example of this type of cave. Towards the north of the Sudama cave lies Karan Choper or Supriya cave, which is a single chambered structure with a vaulted roof and small gate. Secondly, the caves of the five Pandavas form another part of the Barabar caves. THese caves, used by five brothers, the Pandavas in their exile in the Mahabharata period, are small in size. Swarna Bhandar: The Swarna Bhandar or the King Bimbisara’s treasury, is also known as the twin rock cut caves in Rajgir. a major tourist destination, two cave chambers were hollowed out of a single massive rock, one of which is believed to have been the guards’ room. The rear wall or the doorway which has two straight vertical lines and one horizontal line cut into the rock, is supposed to lead to king Bimbisara’s treasury. The inscriptions carved on the wall in Sankhalipi or shell script has not be deciphered yet and considered to be the clue to open the golden treasury. Mahabodhi Temple: Buddhism is today a world renowned religion. It is this temple that witnessed the divine enlightenment of Gautama Siddartha who renounced all worldly pleasures to find the answers to the questions that stirred his soul. He meditated under a pipal tree here and attained insight and wisdom that he preached to the world. This tree is also referred to as the “Bodhi tree”. A visit to this holy place will explain to you why the UNESCO declared it as a World heritage site in the year 2002 The temple is 170 ft high consisting of nine TARA It is situated at a distance of about 16 Kms west of Saharsa in village Mahishi where an ancient temple of Bhagwati Tara is built. The idol of Bhagwati Tara is said to be very old and draws devotees from far and wide. Chandika Sthan at Biratpur village under Sonebarsa block of this district is famous for Madan Bharti Asthan: The place is situated in Mahishi Block. It is said that a religious discourse (Shastrath) was held between Shankaracharya and the local scholar Mandan Mishra. Bharti, SUN Temple at Like Deb (in Aurangabad district), the SUN Temple at Laxminath Gosai Sthal at The famous saint and poet of which is hardly 9 Km away from the district Dewan Ban Mandir: One Shiv Ling is established in the temple situated in Sahpur-Manjhoul of Nauhatta block. It is said that the Ling was established by Maharaja Shalivahan some time in 100BC. The Hindus celebrate a festival called Nauhatta: It is an old village, important since the time of Mughals and is presently the headquarters of the block of the same name. The village has a ‘Shiva temple’ about 80 feet in height. The temple which was damaged in the earthquake of 1934 was reconstructed by Raja Srinand Singh of Srinagar Estate. There is a grave of Madho Singh on an earthen mound about 50 feet high. Madho Singh had become a martyr in the battle of Ladri Ghat. Offerings are made on Bihar School of Yoga: Bihar School of Yoga houses a Yoga Research Library. Comprising of a well-stocked and large collection of books and data, the library is an asset in itself. Here, you will find the school’s publication on Yoga, health techniques and research, apart from other books on yoga. The school, located at Ganga Darshan, is built over a large hill overlooking the Utter-Vahini Ganga. The location of the training is very apt, as it provides the perfect Bhimbandh Wild Life Sanctuary: Occupying an area of about 682 sq km, Bhimbandh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the south-west of Munger District of Bihar. The sanctuary falls to the south of the river Ganges and is at a distance of 56 km from Munger. Besides being famous for its wildlife, the place is also well accounted for its hot water springs. These hot springs are basically found at the valley portion and the foothills of Bhimbandh. |
| Nearest Petrol Pump: |
| Petrol Pump Dobhi Gaya:Gaya,Bihar,India |
| Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation: |
| Lotus Nikko Bodhgaya Hotel:Bodhgaya,Gaya,Bihar,India Hotel Pankaj:Tekari Road,Gaya,Bihar,India,MO:09955811250 Hotel Gharana:Hotel Gharana,South Church Road,Near Gandhi Maindan,Gaya,Bihar,India,ph:0631 2225512 |
| Things to carry: |
| Tips & Suggestions: |
| Help Line/Phone Number: |
| Police Station:100 |
|
Nearest Hospital: Government Hospital:Jehanabad,Bihar,India Holy Family Hospital:Koderma,Jharkhand,India |
| Society/Community Phone Number: |
| Link: |
Tourist places in Jehanabad
Introduction
Jehanabad district was carved out of old Gaya district on August 1, 1986. Earlier, it had been a subdivision of the Gaya district since 1872. The main objective behind the creation of this district was to accelerate the pace of development to tackle the problem of extremism, poverty, unemployment
The city of Jehanabad, which is the district HQ is situated on the confluence of the rivers Dardha and Jamune. The total land of the district is plain. It is crisscrossed by a number of river and rivulets, all seasonal, such as Galgu, Morhar, Dardha, lamune, Baldeyia and Ganghar.
legends, Hindu as well as Buddhist, take down the history of jehanabad to a period of hoary antiquity. The earliest of the archeological remains in the district are to be found in the Barabar and Nagarjuni hills. The description of jlehanabad is also found in the famous book ‘Aain-e-Akbari’.
Places of Interest
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
Barabar
Situated at a distance of 11 km from the Makhdumpur block HQ Barabar can be
called a tourist’s paradise. Barabar, connected by a motorable road, consists
of a group of hills with distinct peaks. The most conspicuous are the peaks
known as Murali, Sandagiri and Siddheshwar. These hills are noted for the
world-famous Seven Caves. For sheer panoramic grandeur and rugged natural
beauty, very few places in the old Gaya district can be compared to the
northern portion of the Barabar hills. There’s an ancient temple of Siddheshwar
nath, which from an inscription in one of the neighbouring caves is known to
belong to the sixth or seventh century. This temple attracted the attention of
pilgrims even before the advent of Buddhism.
Towards the south of Siddheshwar nath Temple at its foot lies a small basin surrounded by hills with openings on the north-east and south-east where walls have been built. Towards the southern corner of the basin are two small sheets of water, which find an outlet under ground to the south-east and reappear in the sacred spring called ‘Patal Ganga’, where a bathing festival is held annually on Anant Chaturdashi.
The Barabar Caves are excavated in the hardest granite with infinite care and the interior surface of all of them contains high polish and is burnished like glass. Chinese traveller Xuanzang its visited this place and has given detailed descriptions of the place in his book. However, the credit for unravelling the charm and appeal of the Barabar hills goes to celebrated British author E M Forster. Forster’s ‘A Passage to India’ is replete with references to the Barabar hills though the name has been changed to Marabar.
Taking into consideration the immense tourism potential, historicity and religious significance of Barabar hills, the Bihar tourism department in association with the district administration has renovated the place giving it an entirely new look.
FACILITIES AT BARABAR
Stairways to the Siddheshwar nath Temple a top the hill
Tourist bungalow at ‘Patal Ganga’
Cafeteria
Piped water facilities
Nagarjuni Museum
Rural Marketing Complex
Police outpost
Telephone booths
Solar and electric lights
Dharaut
About 10 km north-west of Barabar hills, Dharaut has been identified as the site of the Buddhist monastery of Gunamati. At the foot of the Kunwa hill is a large tank known as Chandpokhar or Chandrapokhar. The name of the tank perpetuates the legend that it was excavated by Raja Chandra Sen. Two modern temples at its north-eastern corner once contained a large collection of ancient statues.
Dabthu
Six km east of Hulasganj in the district, Dabthu is chiefly known for its finely-carved images and ruins of temples. In the remains of ancient shrines, one can still see images of deities mutilated and decayed by ravages of time.
Ghejan
Situated in the Tatani-Faridpur block of the district and about 19 km away from jehanabad on the Shakmabad-Ghyan road, this place came light after the Gupta-period stone statues were excavated here. A huge statue of Lord Buddha has been on display in the village.
Kako
Kako is one of the blocks of this district situated at a distance of 10 km from the district HQ. There is a temple in the north-east of the village which has an ancient statue of sungod. There is also a mausoleum of great woman Sufi saint Hazrat Bibi Kamal. Bibi Kamal, aunt of Hazrat Makhdum Saheb of Biharsharif, is said to have been endowed with mystic and divine powers.
Ancient monuments have also been found in several other villages of the district like Bhelawar, Meerabigha, Amthua, Banwaria, Zaroo, Lat, Murgaon, Lari and Umta.
HOW TO REACH
By
Air:
Nearest
Airport
Jhanabad
is 55 km from Patna and 50 km from Gaya; that is, it is centrally located
between Patna and Gaya. It is linked by both road and rail routes. The
Patna-Gaya section of the East Central Railway, popularly known as the PG line,
passes through this district.
The Patna-Dobhi national highway also passes through this
district, connecting it with the Grand Trunk national highway in the Gaya
district. A number of buses ply between jehanabad and other towns of the state,
including Patna and Gaya
By
Rail:
Emergency,Contact
District Magistrate: 223001 (Res), 9431226100 (Mobile)
Superintendent of Police: 223110 (Res), 9431822976 (Mobile)
Town Police Station: 223017, 9431822258
Medical
Emergencies, Contact
District Sadar Hospital: 227794
Civil Surgeon: 9431071836
Dr Girijesh Kumar: 9431279908
Dr Leela Sinha: 223220
Dr K Rajan: 223366, 9431083321
Dr Qaisar Hussain: 9955430466
By Road:
Connected by good roads with all Indian cities.
Where to Stay:
Sriram Hotel, PG Road, Mobile: 9431256935
Shalimar Rest House, PG Road, Mobile: 9234541644
Taj Rest House, PG Road, Mobile: 9934610150
Muralidhar Rest House, PG Road, Mobile: 9939912355
Balaji Rest House, Court area, Mobile: 9431280046
Local Transport:
Auto rickshaws, Cycle-rickshaws, tangas.
Tourist Season
October to March.
Clothing:
Light cotton in summer and woolen in winter (specially during November to
January).
Buddhism in Bihar
Bihar as a state
Bihar is a state of the Indian union situated in the eastern part of the
country. With its capital at Patna (ancient Patliputra, the capital of ancient
India), Bihar was once the most developed region of the ancient India. Ruled by
the great Mauryans and the Guptas, Bihar is also the land of the famous
diplomat Chanakya, the author of ‘The Arthashatra’ (literally ‘the Science of
Material Gain’ in Sanskrit). But, today this land of Karna (of Mahabharata)
Buddha, Mahavira, Guru Gobind Singh and Ashoka, is unfortunately one of the
most under-developed states of India.
Irrigated by the holy Ganges, Bihar is pre-dominantly an agricultural land,
which is a sufferer in the hands of political anarchy prevailing in the state,
but it still has a lot to offer to its tourists.
Significance of Buddhism in Bihar
The term ‘Bihar’ derives from the Sanskrit word ‘Vihara’, which means abode and
it itself explains the relation of Bihar with the viharas, used as the Buddhist
abode. The land of Bihar is considered to be the richest one in context of
Buddhism as it showered the divine light of enlightenment on a young ascetic,
Siddhartha Gautama, who had denounced all the luxuries of life in search of the
truth. The Tathagata preached many of His sermons in different places of Bihar
like Vaishali and Rajgir or Rajgriha to name a few. Even after His
Mahaprinirvana, His disciples carried on the doctrine of Buddhism in the
regions of Magadha or Bihar by setting up several monasteries and universities
of Nalanda and much later, at Vikramshila. However, the contribution of the
Indian emperor Ashoka(whose capital was at Patliputra, modern Patna) in the
history of Buddhism cannot be ignored as it was he, who after becoming a
Buddhist, patronised Buddhism as his state religion and spread its doctrine,
Dhamma in different parts of India and abroad as far as Sri Lanka, Greece and
Egypt.
Major Buddhist Places in Bihar
* Bodhgaya : Bodh Gaya is one of the most sacred Buddhist
sites in Bihar. It was at Bodh Gaya, where a young ascetic, Siddhartha Gautama
in His search of the reality of life, meditated under a Peepal tree, attained
enlightenment and became the Buddha or the Tathagata. Today, Bodh Gaya, a home
to Maha Bodhi temple, Maha Bodhi tree and numerous monasteries, is a venerated
place among the Buddhists from all the corners of the world, who visit the
place to mark the enlightenment of the Buddha.
* Nalanda : ‘Nalanda’, which means the place that confers the lotus,
emerged as an important Buddhist university and religious centres in the
4th-5th century CE. The scholars of the Nalanda monastic university such as
Bodhidharma and others took Buddhism to other parts of the world, China, Korea
and Japan to name a few. Though in ruins today, Nalanda is an inseparable part
of the state and its history.
* Vaishali : Located in Bihar near Patna, Vaishali was the first place
visited by Siddhartha Gautama in India, when he left home as an ascetic. Once
again, it was at Vaishali, where the Tathagata had announced His soon to arrive
death or Mahaparinirvana. Vaishali, a place jeweled with stupas(One contain
Buddha’s relics), monasteries and temples, is frequently visited by the
Buddhists, Jains(for birthplace of Mahavira) and other tourists.
* Rajgir : Siddhartha Gautama had once visited Rajgir(Rajgriha) during His
search for an enduring truth and again returned back at this place as the
Buddha, this time to spend some years over here. It is believed that two rock
cut caves at Rajgir were the favourite retreats of the Tathagata and He preached
two of His sermons here. The small city of Rajgir with its numerous attractions
such as Vaibhav hill, Ajatshatru’s fort and Swarna Bhandar among many others,
is a holy place for the Hindus and Jains as well.
Major Buddhist Monuments in Bihar
* Maha Bodhi Temple : A world heritage centre declared by the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation(UNESCO), the Maha Bodhi
complex in Bodh Gaya homes an ancient temple of the Buddha, built by Ashoka in
the 3rd century BCE. Pampered with a superb and magnificent architecture, the
temple houses a 150 feet high tower, which further contains a gilded colossal
image of the Buddha in the ‘bhumisparsha mudra’ or touching the ground pose.
* Maha Bodhi Tree : The Maha Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya is the most revered place for
all the Buddhists as it was under one of the predecessors of this ficus(peepal)
tree where a young man, to fulfill His thirst of the truth, meditated and
achieved the divine light of enlightenment. The 160 years old Maha Bodhi tree,
fifth generation plant of the original one, stands as high as 80 feet, and a
major centre of pilgrim for the Buddhists from all over the world.
* Nalanda Monasic University : The Nalanda monastic
university in Nalanda, though in ruins today, was once one of the most famous
learning centres of the world. Established during 4th-5th century CE, the
Nalanda university was destroyed by the Islamic invaders in the 12th-13th
century CE, and is now under the supervision of the Archaeological Survey of
India.
* Vikramshila University : The remains of the Vikramshila university near
Bhagalpur(50 kilometers) is a major Buddhist attraction of Bihar. Built during
8th century CE by Dharampala, the Vikramshila learning centre flourished as a
centre for Tantric Buddhism or Tantrayana.
Other Major Attractions
- Patna : The state capital of Bihar, Patna is situated on the banks of the holy river Ganges or the Ganga. Earlier known as Patliputra, Patna is not only a major gateway to all the Buddhist destinations in Bihar, but at the same time, the city in itself has always been a major historical, cultural and political centre of the state. A home to several monuments like GolGhar, Sadakat Ashram and Harmandirji, and several museums such as that of Kumhrar, Patna was also visited by the Buddha while crossing the river Ganga.
- Bhagalpur : Famous as the ‘silk City’, Bhagalpur is one of the major cities of Bihar. The historic place of Bhagalpur was once a part of the 16 Mahajanpadas or the republics, but then was known as Anga. Situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga, Bhagalpur today is the district administrative centre as well as an agricultural market. The city is also famous for the remains of the ancient Buddhist monasteries along with its silk, fabric weaving and sugar milling.
- Gaya : A home to Bodh Gaya(8 kilometers), the place of the Buddha’s enlightenment, Gaya in Bihar is sacred for the Hindus as well, who visit the famous ‘Vishnupad temple’, where the God Vishnu is bekieved to have preached the reality of death. The city is also famous for industries of cotton, jute, sugar and stones along with the trade of tobacco and betel leaves.
- Madhubani : The heart of art and culture in Bihar, Madhubani is worldwide famous for its paintings, the finest folk art carried by the women of the region. Besides, Madhubani is also famous for the tantric practices in the temples of the Hindu goddess Kali and the ruins of the palaces of the earlier heads of the princely state of Darbhanga.
Climate
The months of December and January are the cold ones, while April, May and June
are the hot ones. The temperature during winters go as low as 5 degree Celsius,
while in summers, it is as high as 46-47 degree Celsius. The months of July,
August and September witness a good rainfall. October, February and March are
the ideal months to visit the place owing to the pleasant whether.
How to Reach
By Air – The Indian state of Bihar is easily
accessible by air as besides other small airports, there are two major ones –
Lok Nayak Jayaprakash airport at Patna, and Gaya airport. Patna airport is
basically an domestic airport, and is directly connected to Delhi, Mumbai,
Kolkata, Lucknow and Ranchi, while the Gaya airport is a small International
airport connected to Colombo(Sri Lanka) and Thailand(Bangkok).
By
Rail – A
vast rail network connects Bihar with other parts of the country(India). Almost
all the major cities of the state such as Patna, Bhagalpur, Barauni,
Muzzaffarpur, Gaya and Samastipur have a direct rail access to Delhi, Kolkata
and Mumbai.
By
Road – Bihar
has a vast network of National and state highways, and are connected to
different parts of India as well as neighbouring country Nepal.
Bodh Gaya or Bodhgaya
Bodh Gaya or Bodhgaya (
Historically, it was known as the Bodhimanda (ground around the Bodhi-tree), Uruvela, Sambodhi, Vajrasana and Mahabodhi. The name Bodh Gaya did not come into use until the 18th century. The main monastery of Bodhgaya used to be called the Bodhimanda-
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. In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The surrounding town, by contrast, is dusty, noisy and somewhat polluted, due in large part to a lack of proper administrative structural coordination and rampant local corruption.[3] A new development plan has been proposed to “ensure a sustainable and prosperous future” for Bodh
Tourist Places in Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya or Bodhgaya is a religious place in Gaya district in the Indian state of Bihar. It is famous for being the place of Gautama Buddha’s attainment of Enlightenment.
Historically, it was known as the Bodhimanda (ground around the Bodhi-tree), Uruvela, Sambodhi, Vajrasana and Mahabodhi.
(1) The name Bodh Gaya did not come into use until the 18th century. The main monastery of Bodhgaya used to be called the Bodhimanda-
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. In 2002, Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
(2) The surrounding town, by contrast, is dusty, noisy and somewhat polluted, due in large part to a lack of proper administrative structural coordination and rampant local corruption.
(3) A new development plan has been proposed to “ensure a sustainable and prosperous future” for Bodh
Bodh Gaya is the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under the sacred Asvatta tree (later termed Bodhi Tree). Buddhists all across the world consider the place the most sacred and this has become a pilgrim destination for them. Buddhists from all over the world have built temples here in Bodh Gaya. Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya houses a splendid and magnificent Mahabodhi temple and the temple has Bodhi Tree. Both the temple and the Bodhi Tree are sacred for Buddhists across the globe. The temple is an architectural amalgamation of many centuries, cultures, and
In the year 1953, Bodh Gaya revisited its glory. A new stupa with the help of Japanese governments’ donation was built in Gaya. Buddhists from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Bhutan, Korea, and Japan often visit
How to Reach Bodh Gaya:
Bodh Gaya is included in four most important pilgrim destinations where a Buddhist has to visit in
By Rail:
A good railway network connects Bodh Gaya with other major cities of India. A whole range of trains is available to reach Bodh Gaya. Gaya is the nearest railhead to Bodh Gaya at the distance of 17
By Road:
Besides a good network or railway tracks, Bodh Gaya is well connected by roads to various cities of India. The main bus stand is near Sujata Bridge on the bank of Falgu River on the northeastern edge of the town. Gaya is the nearest transport hub which is connected with Grand Trunk Road and from where you can catch direct
By Air:
Gaya is the nearest airport from Bodh Gaya. It is located at a distance of 17
Bodh Gaya Tourist Attractions:
Bodh Gaya, being the place where Gautam Buddha had learnt the eternal truth, is a popular tourist destination among Buddhists across the globe. There are a number of Buddhist monuments, temples and monasteries to see in Bodh Gaya.
Bodhi Tree
Contrary to general belief the existing Bodhi Tree is not the original Bodhi Tree under which
Gurpa
Gurpa is located forty
Mahabodhi Temple
The fifty meter high Mahabodhi Temple was built during the rule of the Guptas in the 5th century. This temple is considered among the oldest in Indian sub-continent temples.
Pragbodhi
Pragbodhi is the place where Lord Buddha spent some time before attaining enlightenment. The place is evidence of Gautam Buddha’s efforts toward the eternal truth.
Bodh Gaya Weather:
The city of Bodh Gaya is located at an altitude of 24º 41′ 45” N. Latitude and 85º 2′ 22” E. Longitude. Let’s have a quick look at the weather and climatic conditions of Bodh Gaya.