Bodh Gaya

Bodh a banner Floral offerings - Floral offerings in front of the Buddha statues in the Mahabodhi Temple

Bodh a is a village in the state of Bihar. It was the site of the Buddha Shakyamuni's enlightenment and is the most revered of all Sacred sites of India#Buddhist|Buddhist sacred sites.

The main temple complex houses the famous Mahabodhi temple/stupa and a descendant of the original Bodhi Tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment. There are also temples or monasteries from many other nations with a Buddhist tradition such as Thailand, Tibet and Japan.

Bodh Gaya Halal Travel Guide

Mahabodhi temple. The Mahabodhi temple, Bodh a, India - The Mahabodhi Temple

The man who became the Buddha was born in Lumbini, in Nepal. He was the son of the local ruler, raised in some luxury and well-educated by the standards of the place and time. As a young man he became a seeker of knowledge, giving up luxuries, travelling a good deal and learning from several teachers. Bodh a is where he achieved enlightenment while meditating under a tree.

Travel to Bodh Gaya

Fly to Bodh Gaya

The closest airport is at Gaya (10 km) - Druk Air flies from Bangkok once a week. Thai-Airways flies to a daily. AirIndia flies from several destinations including Kolkata and Delhi.

Alternatively, you may take a flight to the Patna Airport (110 km away) and take a train or a taxi to Bodh a as Patna has multiple daily direct connecting Flights to Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai.

By vehicle

You may take a flight to the Patna Airport (110 km away) and take a train or a taxi to Bodh a as Patna has multiple daily direct connecting Flights to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Lucknow and Hyderabad.

The road is very rough and narrow so the journey can be quite slow and dangerous. It takes around 3 hours from Patna to reach, on best way is to avoid the a market, as the roads are very narrow.

Travel by train to Bodh Gaya

The nearest train station is a, 16 km away. From there you can take a bus or a three-wheel taxi (rickshaw) to Bodh a. Rickshaw prices are variable, but the going rate was ₹20 for shared ride or ₹150 for entire rickshaw no matter what time of the day in April 2015. There is commonly a shortage of rickshaws.

The train from Patna (which as the nearest good size airport and railhead) to a costs ₹25 for passenger train and ₹50 for express non-reserved seat. The fastest express trains in the early morning takes about two and half hours and slow passenger train takes about four hours, which is still comparable to buses. Trains leave one to two hour interval.

Best train travel from Calcutta is about 8 hours; from Delhi, about 15 hours (2nd class air con costs ₹161 - book upstairs at a station then pay downstairs at window 29).

The road from Patna is in bad condition: the train is also recommended.

Take a bus to Bodh Gaya

The Bihar State Tourist Development Corporation (☎ +91 612 225411) runs seasonal deluxe bus services to and from Patna.

Private buses leave in the morning for Varanasi, Nalanda, Rajgir and overnight for Kolkata and Bhutan through Siliguri.

Get Around

GPS 24.695102|84.991275

How to travel to Bodh Gaya by car

By far the most convenient way to get around Bodh a are the auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws and tourist taxis. As always, make sure to bargain and agree on a price before setting out on the trip. The costs are quite low; a few rupees will likely get you most places in the city.

By foot

Bodh a is very walkable. Most of the major tourist destinations and are within two kilometers (about a half-hour walk) from the Mahabdohi Temple complex. There are lots of pilgrims visiting for much of the year, so the streets will have people in them.

As with any location in the Bihar province, avoid walking in the streets alone at night.

What to See

Most temples open from 06:00 to sunset and close between noon and 14:00.

Mahabodhi Temple - Maha Bodhi Maha Vihara - 24.696004,84.991358 ☎ +91 631 220 0735 Opening Hours: 05:00-21:00 Mahabodhi Temple Mahabodhitemple The site where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment. This complex is large and contains a number of major attractions within it. One common way of visiting the statue is to "walk in the steps" of the Buddha. It is said that, after attaining enlightenment and the Buddha spent seven weeks in what is now Mahabodhi temple meditating on the nature of what he had discovered. There are several spots in the temple that relate to this tradition. Since the bombing incident in 2013 and the temple has been under enhanced security. No laptop or mobile phone is allowed into the temple ground. Bring a proper camera if you wish to take pictures.

Bodhi Tree: During the first week and the Buddha remained under the Bodhi tree. A descendant of this tree can be seen on the Western side of the temple today.
Animeshlocha Stupa: During the second week and the Buddha sat in a spot and stared at the Bodhi tree. This spot is now the Animeshlocha Stupa, or "unblinking stupa," where a statue of Buddha sits staring at the tree in the northern part of the temple.
Ratnachakrama: During the third week and the Buddha paced back and forth between the tree and the stupa. This path is marked by the Ratnachakrama (Jewelled Ambulatory), which is near the north wall of the main temple. Lotuses sprang up from where he walked and today and there are raised stone lotuses marking his steps.
Ratnaghar Chaitya: Thit is the spot where Buddha spent the fourth week, to the northeastern part of the temple.
Ajapala Nigrodh Pillar: The Buddha spent the fifth week meditating and answering the questions of the Brahmans under the Ajapala Nigrodh tree, a spot which is commemorated with a large pillar, on the central path past the east entrance.
Lotus Pond: The Buddha spent the sixth week next to the Lotus Pond, to the south of the main complex.
Rajyatana Tree: The seventh and final week was spent under the Rajyatana Tree, whose spot is marked in the southeastern corner of the temple with an actual tree.
Archaeological Museum - Oppos. Jaiprakash Park | 24.694868,84.987522 - Opening Hours: Saturday - Thursday ₹10

Bodhgaya Multimedia Museum 24.697134,84.991138 next to the Mahabodhi Temple ☎ +91 99778545 Opening Hours: Open daily Museum provides the historical and geographical context for the life of Buddha through a set of multimedia films and 3D animation movie.
Gandhen Phelgye Ling Monastery - Namgyal Monastery, Bodh a - , - A monastery with close ties to the Dalai Lama.

80 feet buddha statue - The colossal 80-foot Buddha Statue in Bodh a

The Great Buddha Statue - The 80-foot Buddha Statue - daijokyotemple@ Great Buddha Statue Road, Bodh a 24.690545,84.981810 ☎ +91 631-2200-747 +91 631-2200-407 Opening Hours: 07:00-12:00, 14:00-18:00 (17:30 in winter) This statue is also called the "80-foot Buddha Statue" due to its impressive 25 meter height. Constructed by the nearby Daijokyo Buddhist Temple in 1989 and the spectacular statue attracts pilgrims and tourists alike. Note: the contact information is for the Daijokyo Temple, which operates the statue.

Japanese Temple - Indosan Nipponji | Temple Road 24.691141,84.984209 ☎ +91 2200743 Opening Hours: 05:00-12:00, 14:00-18:00 A beautiful temple with a calm garden. Great Muslim Friendly place to meditate.

Karma Dhargye Chokhorling Monastery , - Beru Khyentse Rinpoche

Phowa Center , - Choeje Ayang Rinpoche

Taiwanese Temple - World Chonghwa Buddhist Sangha | 24.696384,84.987211 - A peaceful temple that also serves as a great example of Chinese architecture. A short walk from Mahabodhi.

Tergar Monastery , - Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

(Thai) Monastery Mastipur 24.694171,84.984990 ☎ +91 99312 79251

Top Travel Tips

Buddha Bodh-Gaya - Buddha statue in Mahabodhi Temple

Bodh a is crucially a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists and all of its main attractions are related to this. The subsidiary tourist industry that has grown up around it (shopping, eating and lodging) is not really the main attraction. Perhaps unique to Bodh a are the rather cheesy CDs for sale near the temple entrance that purport to be monks chanting Buddhist texts. You will know whether you want to take this home with you!

Whether you're a Buddhist or not and the main thing to do in Bodh a is just to absorb the vibe of the place where the Buddha attained awakening: the vapour trail of that energy is still in the air!

Kagyu Monlam Chenmo , In late December and early January (it corresponds to the fourth through eleventh days of the first month on the Tibetan calendar), a large prayer festival (Monlam) takes place.

Nyingma Monlam Chenmo , - Prayer festival, January/February

}} Siddhartha Festival . An annual event held in November, The festival aims to celebrate the life and teachings of the Buddha. Conducted under the auspices of Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.

Study in Bodh Gaya

While there is plenty to learn from just walking around in Bodh a and there are some institutions that offer instruction specifically geared toward travellers and pilgrims.

| type=learn* Root Institute - GPS: 24.692596,84.9760583 ☎+91 631 220 0714

 Opening Hours: Office hours: 08:30-11:30, 13:30-16:30 | 2015-06-15 The Root Institute is a Buddhist spiritual institute which offers courses for travelers wishing to learn more about Mahayana Buddhism as well as the culture and wisdom of India. Courses last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks and a list of the dates they offer courses can be found _events/spiritual_programme_menu here.

Halal Restaurants & Food in Bodh Gaya

Bowl of Compassion Cafe Bodhgaya 24.698728,84.993681 Opposite the police station - Opening Hours: 10:00-23:00 ₹20-100 Newly set-up restaurant serving delicious Indian and international cuisine, with connections to the nearby Bowl of Compassion NGO. Patrons can choose special "Compassion meals", where the extra money goes towards helping the poor of the Tikha Bigha Village. Volunteers welcome.

Fujia Green 24.697469,84.989674 A little out of the way around the south side of the sports oval ₹30-120 The Japanese options are surprisingly good (although not authentic). Big portions.

Hari Om Cafe jyoti_gupta2000@ 24.699757,84.989982 ☎ +92 72 50 956999 Very cute cafe that offers a variety of food (they advertise themselves as offering "American (New), Chinese, Indian/Pakistani, Japanese and Thai"). Very affordable as well. Also offers free Wi-Fi.

Lotus Restaurant 24.697644,84.989717 ☎ +91 78 70 000034 Next to Fujia Green restaurant. A nice place with a lot of Indian options. Fairly affordable.

Mahayama Restaurant 24.696445,84.989726 ☎ +91 631 220 0221 Opening Hours: Breakfast: 06:00-11:00, Lunch: 11:00-15:00, Dinner: 17:00-23:00 A restaurant inside Hotel Mahayama (but open to non-guests). Offers good food and is extremely close to the temple complex (~2 minutes walking).

Mohammed's Restaurant Birla Dharamshala Road 24.697857,84.987498 ☎ +91 94312 89084 - Lovely restaurant with food options from a variety of countries. Good Wi-Fi and a fun atmosphere.

Samim (Thai) Restaurant 24.696405,84.987732 ☎ +91 88 04 623766 ₹130-350 Fairly good (Thai) Food for very good prices. Not authentic (Thai), but still pretty good. Very close to Mahabodhi Temple.

Tibet Om Cafe | Inside Namgyal Monastery court yard gate 24.698561,84.990517 ☎ +91 72779 40832 ₹30-100 Excellent pastries, specializes in Tibetan dishes.

Drink

Coffee

Be Happy Cafe Kalachakra Ground 24.697896,84.988168 Behind Namgyal Monastery - follow signs ☎ +91 87971 18390 A small cafe run by a wonderful Canadian woman. The cafe specializes in thin crust Pizzas, Italian Pasta. sandwiches in thick bread, freshly made cakes, homemade granola for breakfast and a variety of coffees.

Alcohol

While there are no alcohol outlets in Bodh a, hotels and guesthouses serve organic juice (₹100-150), provided it is drunk indoors out of public view.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Bodh Gaya

Bodh Gaya - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Bodh Gaya, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bodh Gaya. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Bodh Gaya and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Bodh Gaya. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Bodh Gaya. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Bodh Gaya: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Bodh Gaya.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Bodh Gaya: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Bodh Gaya, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Bodh Gaya.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Bodh Gaya, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Bodh Gaya, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Bodh Gaya and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Bodh Gaya, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Bodh Gaya, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Bodh Gaya without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Bodh Gaya is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Bodh Gaya.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Bodh Gaya is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Bodh Gaya, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Bodh Gaya Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Bodh Gaya

eHalal Group Bodh Gaya is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Bodh Gaya. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Bodh Gaya.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Bodh Gaya ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

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If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Bodh Gaya, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

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Ramadan Celebrations in Bodh Gaya

Ramadan 2025 in Bodh Gaya

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024

Muslim Friendly Hotels

Monasteries

Monastery guest houses offer a affordable alternative to hotels, though guests are expected to adhere to their house rules. They do not charge fixed nightly rates, but instead accept donations (ask other guests for the going rate). There is a whole string of guesthouses just opposite the park from the Mahabodhi Temple. All pretty much the same well maintained with restaurants on the ground floor at around ₹200 a single. Another group of mostly simple guesthouses is north of Kalachakra Maidan.

Bhutan Monastery 24.692252,84.984417 - Pleasant but basic single and family rooms, some with private bathroom

Burmese Vihara a Road 24.701850,84.993303 - Very basic lodging. The Vihara exists mainly to cater to groups of Burmese pilgrims, but there are often rooms available for others. Rules are posted prominently. Food service is only for those arriving in groups and by prior arrangement.

Maha Bodhi Society of India - Sri Lankan Temple | Bodhgaya 24.696938,84.989912 ☎ +91 7484880598 +91 6312200742 Check-in: 12:00 Noon / Check-out: 12:00 Noon Private rooms and dorms available. 5 min walk from Mahabodhi Temple. Clean and comfortable. Observe rules and respect for the temple. Join them for daily Puja sessions (40 min) in the morning and evening.

Sakya Monastery Guesthouse | Mastipur Village (Near Bhutan Monastery) - ☎ +91 631 2200770 - Clean, simple, friendly, peaceful and calm environment.

Siddhartha Vihar Bihar Tourist Complex 24.694598,84.982595 ☎ +91 631 220-0445 - Simple, but comfortable rooms.

Taiwan Temple - ☎ +91 2200503. A pleasant guesthouse in a convenient location.

Kundan Bazar Guest House Bhagalpur Village 24.701240,84.976995 Near Old Vietnam Temple ☎ +91 6312200049 - Single rooms to full-service apartments, bike rentals, internet cafe, book, gift and clothing shop, snooker bar, self-service kitchen, laundry facility, tour packages and more

Rahul Guesthouse 24.700184,84.989897 Less than 100 m north of Kalachakra Maidan. Noon Single from ₹200, Double from ₹250 Amazingly clean rooms, with medium client service. Some rooms have access to common balconies.

Rainbow Guesthouse next to Burmese Vihara on a Road 24.702063,84.994092 ☎ +91 94312 80810 ₹1000-1500 Basic rooms, are cleaned more thoroughly on request, friendly and reliable staff.

Welcome Guest House welcomeguest@ 2 mins walk from Tamplenear Mahabodhi Temple 24.696453,84.989447 opp-jayprakash prak ☎ +91 631 2200377 Noon Welcome Guest House offers affordable and pleasant rooms in the center of town.
Hotel Sujata Buddha Marg 24.693110,84.985794 ☎ +91 631 220 0481 +91 631 220-0511 ₹5000-7200 Clean environment and good restaurant.

Royal Residency Domuhan Road 24.696425,84.973719 ☎ +91 631 220-0124 +91 631 220-0181 ₹6000-8500 Comfortable rooms with Japanese style same-sex communal hot tub. Two-story building with acceptable quality and services. Dining facilities are good.

Telecommunications

Internet

Most, maybe all internet cafes in town refuse to let you connect anything to the computer such as a camera or thumb drive and they refuse to let you upload or download photos.

"Eyes Of Compassion" Cyber Cafe (EOC) on Bodhgaya Road appears to be the only cafe in town that lets you use Skype or upload photos however you have to pay ₹5 per photo uploaded or ₹5 per minutes that you use Skype. The internet is quite slow all over town. Near Om Restaurant, downstairs.

Many of the restaurants listed in the "Eat" section also provide WiFi.

Local Customs in Bodh Gaya

Temples

Monks participating in prayer at Mahabodhi Temple - Monks participating in prayer at Mahabodhi Temple

As in many sacred places, you must take off your shoes before entering the inner parts of the main Mahabodhi Temple complex, as well as any of the monasteries around the area. In fact, due to this, it is recommend you wear sandals or shoes that are easy to slip on and off. A guideline more specific to Mahabodhi is to circumambulate the stupa and other sacred objects in a clock-wise direction. Although it should go without saying, do not climb onto statues, monuments and other sacred objects.

As it is a very religious town filled with pilgrims and monks, dressing modestly is a sign of respect. Loose-fitting clothing should suffice.

Sacred cow doctrine

As India is the home of the sacred cow doctrine, seeing cows wondering the streets of Bodh a is not an uncommon sight. It is illegal to strike or otherwise offend cows, so refrain from doing this. Furthermore, be sure drivers of any rickshaws you are in are cautious, as hitting a cow with a vehicle is a very serious crime. Foreign Muslims have been fined heavily for these offences.

Beggars

For a non-Indian it is almost imfeasible to walk twenty meters in the streets without being accosted. Riksha-Wallahs and the hordes of beggars, particularly the groups of children sent to beg instead of going to school, are much more persistent than in other places.

News & References

More Muslim friendly Destinations from Bodh Gaya

Deo, Bihar – Visit this place for a glimpse of Famous Sunday Temple.
Nalanda – This Buddhist university was established in 450CE. There are extensive ruins, but no inhabitants. Nalanda Museum is open 10:00-17:00 daily except Friday. Shared jeeps plying the route between Rajgir and Bihar Sharif make a stop at the turnoff for Nalanda. Rickshaws and other vehicles are available from there to the main gate, a distance of 2 km. PWD operates a guest house near the gate.
Patna - 130 km by road, deluxe buses for Patna available from BSTDC (enquiry phone No. +91 631 220 0672) Bodhgaya Hotel (07:00, 14:00 daily), you can also go by train from a Junction.
Rajgir – The site of Gridhakuta (Vulture's Peak), where the Buddha stayed and gave teachings on the Mahayana (the second turning of the wheel) and Venuvana and the first Buddhist monastery. Rajgir is also an area known for its thermal spas (Muslim Friendly), which are open to the public. There are daily bus tours that depart from behind the Birla temple (close to Cafe OM) and cover Rajgir, Nalanda and around 10 to 12 other interesting sights on the way. These buses leave at around 08:00 and return at 19:00. Be ready for a really bumpy ride, which is well worth the effort. Charges are surprisingly low at ₹150 only for the whole day (2009 rates). If you ask any travel agent within Bodh a about this and they will most likely not tell you about this affordable option. It is preferable to book your tickets a day in advance, as at times there are large groups of pilgrims. If you want to venture out on your own and there is an option of changing buses at Bihar Sharif.
Sarnath: Sarnath is another of the four main pilgrimage sites in Buddhism. It is a suburb of the holy city of Varanasi.