Bodh Gaya

Bodh Gaya is a small town in Bihar at about 113 metres elevation, located roughly 95 kilometres south of Patna. It is the most important pilgrimage site in Buddhism, as it is believed to be the place where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment around 530 BCE under a pipal tree and became the Buddha. At the heart of the town stands the Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the central highlight of Bodh Gaya tourism, marking the exact spot of enlightenment. The temple complex dates in its present form to the 6th century CE under the Pala dynasty, built over earlier foundations attributed to Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. Beside it grows the sacred Bodhi Tree, regarded as a direct descendant of the original tree under which the Buddha attained awakening. Beyond the main temple, Bodh Gaya travel guide routes extend into a global Buddhist landscape, with monasteries and temples built by communities from across Asia. These include Japanese, Thai, Bhutanese, Tibetan, Vietnamese, Chinese, and Myanmar temples, each reflecting distinct national architectural traditions and making the town a unique international spiritual hub. Key nearby sites complete the Bodh Gaya sightseeing circuit, including the 25 metre Great Buddha Statue, the Mahakala Cave, and the Dungeshwari Hills, where Buddha is believed to have practiced austerities before enlightenment. Together, these attractions make Bodh Gaya one of the most significant destinations for a complete Bodh Gaya trip experience.