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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