Travel to Bodh Gaya
Situated in Bihar, Bodh Gaya is well connected to the rest of India by road.
Gaya, at a distance of 16 kms, is the major railhead near Bodh Gaya. Incidentally, it is also an
important pilgrim destination for Hindus as according to Hindu mythology Gaya has been given the
power by Vishnu to absolve people of all their sins. From Gaya one either takes auto-rickshaws or
state transport buses for the onward journey to Bodh Gaya.
The nearest airport is Patna, the state capital of Bihar, which is about 125 kms from Bodh Gaya.
When to go to Bodh Gaya
Pilgrims throng to Bodh Gaya throughout the year. However, this number swells during the Buddha
Jayanti celebrations in April-May. This event takes place on the full moon night in the month
of Vaisakha according to the Hindu calendar. As it is based on the lunar position, each
year this day varies.
The best time to visit Bodh Gaya is in winters as this is when Tibetan pilgrims come here from
Dharamsala. In fact, if you want to catch a glimpse of the dalai Lama, December-January would be
an ideal time. This is when he presides over the Kalachakra Initiation Ceremony.
Climate of Bodh Gaya
Summers are extremely hot here where the mercury can touch upto 47 Degree Celsius. Winter months
are quite pleasant where the temperature can vary between 28- 4 Degree Celsius. The rainy season
commences from mid June to mid September. The best season is from October to March.
Sarnath - important landmarks
After attaining Enlightenment, the Buddha had proceeded on towards Varanasi to find his five
disciples who had spent some time with him in Bodh Gaya. The purpose of this meeting was to share
with them his views on the cause of suffering in this world. It was here that he gave them the
first sermon.
Sarnath is just about 10 kms from Varanasi and it is here that the Budhha formed the Buddhist
Sangha with his disciples.
Emperor Ashoka had erected a 15.24 meter high column here which had four lion heads on top facing
all the four directions. This column also called the Ashoka Pillar is now the national
emblem of India.
Since the Buddha's time, Sarnath saw a monastic tradition for over 1,500 years until the city was
invaded by the Muslim conquerors. It lay in ruins for several centuries till these were discovered
by a British archaeologist Alexander Cunningham.
Chaukhandi is a brick stupa built in the Gupta period (320-600 AD) also called the golden
era in India's history. It is one of the most conspicuous landmarks in the route one takes from
Varanasi to Sarnath. This stupa is supposed to mark the exact spot where the Buddha met his five
disciples for the first time after his Enlightenment.
The Dhamekha Stupa, supposed to have been constructed in 500 AD, is a very important site
in Sarnath. It is believed that this is the place where the Buddha gave his first sermon. It is
also believed that Dhamekha is distorted form of the word.Dharma Chakra or the Wheel of Law.
Travel to Varanasi and Sarnath
Varanasi is easily accessible and well connected by road, rail and air to all the major metro
cities as well as places like Agra, Khajuraho, Lucknow and Bhubaneswar. The airport is located
at a distance of 22 kms from the city at Babatpur. For in-city travel buses and auto-rickshaws
can be used.
To reach Sarnath one can take a taxi or local buses from Varanasi.
When to go to Sarnath
The biggest festival in Sarnath is the Buddha Jayanti celebrations in April-May on the
full moon night in the month of Vaisakha, also called the Buddha Poornima (the
full moon night of the Buddha).
Celebrations are also held on the first full moon night of November to mark the anniversary
of the foundation of Mulgandhakuti Vihara, a place where the Buddha is supposed to have
meditated during his monsoon retreats to Sarnath.
Climate of Sarnath
For the tourist the best time to visit Sarnath or Varanasi is between end of September and March.
The temperature at this point varies between 20-6 Degrees Celsius.
Kushinagar - important landmarks
At the age of 80, the Buddha entered the state of Mahaparinirvana (passing away) after having
spread his message for 45 years. He gave his last sermon at Kushinagar lying down under the
shadow of two huge Sal trees, the same variety of tree under which he had been born in the
Lumbini gardens.
After the cremation, ashes were collected and then distributed amongst the representatives of
the eight kingdoms of ancient northern India. Some 300 years later, Emperor Ashoka decided to
build 84,000 stupas. So, these relics were further divided and today can be found enshrined in
stupas all across Asia.
Rambhar Stupa
Was built at the spot where the Buddha's funeral pyre was lit by Mahakashyap, one of his most
revered disciples. Today, what remains of this stupa is a large brick mound about 15 meters in
height.
An ancient Mahaparinirvana Temple can be found in Kushinagar, which is most famous for
a Reclining Buddha statue. This over six meter long statue is believed to have been made
over 1500 years ago, but after that it lay neglected. It was discovered in a dilapidated state
in the 20th century and then restored to its earlier glory. Today it has a golden shine, thanks
to the application of golden leaves on it by the several thousands of Buddhists that visit this
site annually. The Indian government restored and constructed the present temple in 1956 as part
of the commemoration of the 2,500th year of the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana.
Other important places of interest in Kushinagar are a Chinese Temple and several
monasteries. The Kushinagar Museum is also important for all the information it
contains on the life and teachings of the Buddha.
Travel to Kushinagar
Kushinagar is situated at a distance of 51 kms from Gorakhpur, which is a major railhead
well-connected to the rest of the country by road as well. The nearest airport is at Varanasi,
which is 280 kms away. To reach Kushinagar, one can take taxis or buses from Gorakhpur.
When to go to Kushinagar
The Mahaparinirvana Temple can be visited anytime, although early evening is ideal as the
chanting of the mantras and the dim light add a sacred aura to the place.
Climate of Kushinagar
The summer months, as elsewhere in India are pretty hot with a temperature variation of 44-22 Degree
Celsius. Winter months are pleasant with a maximum temperature of 21 Degree Celsius, although it can
chilly when the Mercury dips to 6 Degree Celsius. climate-wise, the best time to visit is from
October to March.
Visiting these four holiest of Buddhist sites is considered as great a pilgrimage as the believers
of the Islamic faith make to Mecca. Of course, a Buddhist is not bound by his religion to make this
pilgrimage, however those who undertake this journey feel truly blessed after visiting the very
same spots the Apostle of Peace once traversed.
- Vandana Mohal
Vandana is a Mumbai-based journalist and media consultant. She regularly writes on topics ranging
from entertainment, spirituality, education and travel.
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