Bodhgaya is the spiritual home of Buddhists attracting tens of thousands of believers from all over the world. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres as it is the place where Buddha attained enlightenment.
Bodhgaya is the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightment. The tree under which Buddha attained enlightment is called the Bodhi tree, while the temple marking the spot is called Mahabodh temple. A descendant of that original tree still flourishes there today. The temples stands as a model for the temples in Burma, Nepal, And Srilanka.This is very important and one of the holiest cities for Buddhists.

Bodhi TreeThe population of this town is 22, 000 and is situated at an altitude of 113 m. Most countries with vast Buddhist population have a temple or monastery here. The 25 m Great Buddha Statue in the Japanese Kamakura style was unveiled by his holiness Dalai Lama in 1989.
History of Bodhgaya :A large number of shrines and memorials were erected at the site to commemorate the incidents before after enlightenment but only few now can be recognised. Of the earliest shrines, traditionally attributed to Asoka, only vajrasana or the sandstone throne with the characteristic Mauryan polish and decorative designs has survived and is seen beneath the holy Bodhi tree.
A portion of the sandstone carved railing belongs to the the Sunga period. The remaining portion of the railing pertains to the Gupta period. The main brick-built shrine known as the Mahabodhi temple appears to have been originally erected in circa 2nd century A.D. It is encumbered with heavy renovations, the four corner-towers being an arbitrary addition of circa 14th century. Its central tower, standing on a high plinth, is about 55m high and is a straight-edged pyramid of seven storeys, relieved by pilasters and chaitya-niches, substantially agreeing with its description left by the Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang. The remaining shrines and stupas mostly belong to the Pala period (9th to 12th century).
Places to Visit :Bodhi Tree is towards the West of the Maha Bodhi temple, is the tree where Gautam Buddha did his meditation and attained enlightenment. Bodhi Sarovar is the pond where BUddha used to take a bath. This pond is situated towards the west of Bodhi temple. Chankamana is a platform with foot impressions of Buddha and is towards the north of the Bodhi Temple.
Apart from these ponds and platforms, there are many temples built by the people of various nations like the Tibet temple, the Japanese, the Thai, the Lankan and the Bhutan temple. These temples are also a major attraction for the tourists and devotees, who visit Bodh Gaya.
Access :Nearest Airport : Patna is the nearest airport (140 km) with regular flights to Delhi, Ranchi, Lucknow, Calcutta, Chennai, Mumbai.Nearest Railway Station : Gaya ( 12 km ) is the nearest railway station.By Road: 12 km from Gaya, 140 km from Patna
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Nalanda, where ruins of the great ancient university have been excavated, is situated at a distance of 90 km. in the south east of Patna by road. The ruins extend over a large area and represent only a part of the extensive establishment. There are many versions of what the term Nalanda means. One is that Nalam means Lotus and Da means to give. Both combined together, Nalanda means Giver of Lotus. Since Lotus is supposed to represent knowledge, Nalanda means Giver of Knowledge.

Nalanda was the largest residential centre of learning that the world had ever known. The library was located in a nine storied building. Since the time of Buddha, the bhikkus were always encouraged to study the various arts and sciences. Learning was greatly encouraged as served dual proposes: knowledge and practice. The monks, therefore took to learning so that they might practice it and realise Dhamma perfectly and thereby enrich the masses.
The University of Nalanda was founded in the 5th century by the Gupta emperors. There were thousands of students and teachers. The subjects taught at Nalanda University covered every field of learning. The courses offered at Nalanda included the study of scriptures of Mahayana and Hinayana Schools of Buddhism, Brahminical vedic texts, Philosophy, logic theology, grammer, astronomy, mathematics and medicine. Its importance as a monastic university continued until the end of the 12th century.
The International Scholastic Centre at Nalanda described by later Scholars as an International University was founded much earlier than the 5th century A.D. Nalanda eventually developed into the greatest ancient centre of Buddhist learning. Students from China and Korea, Sri Lanka and Indonesia and from all the regions of India came to Nalanda to study.

As is evident from the remains of Nalanda, there were row of monastery sites lies from south to north. By and large all of them are of the same pattern. But most important of them is site no.1, entrance of which lies in the west wall through a large portico of which the roof rested on pillars. At a later period this portico was converted into a porch with an ante-chamber by the addition of two walls.
A long succession of kings from 5th to 12th century extended their royal patronage to ensure the progress and prosperity of the university. The university received royal patronage of the great emperor Harshavardhana of Kannauj and also pala kings. It was a great centre of learning and students from foreign centre of learning and students from foreign countries were also attracted to this university.
Nalanda during its days was a flourishing residential university with over 10, 000 students and 1500 teachers. The university was marked by a lofty wall and one gate. Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese pilgrim spent three years at Nalanda. He has left a detailed note about the university, its curriculum, activities and other accounts. The Tibetan pilgrim Dharmasvamin was here in 1234 and has left an a gripping account of the monastery’s destruction by the Muslims.
Nalanda today is in ruins but still it imparts the scholarly look. The archaeological zone here is classified into a number of sites that include 11 monasteries and several temples built in red bricks.
The Nalanda Archaeological MuseumOpposite to the entrance to the ruins of the university is a small but beautiful collection of Buddhist and Hindu bronzes and a number of undamaged statues of the Lord Buddha that were found in the area. The collection includes copper plates and stone inscriptions, coins, pottery and samples of burnt rice (12th century AD) found among the ruins here Nava Nalanda Mahavihara Nava Nalanda Mahavihara is devoted to study and research in Pali Literature and Buddhism.
SilaoIn between Nalanda and Rajgir lies a village named Silao that is very popular for is local sweet “Khaja”.
Surajpur BaragaonThe lake with its temple to Surya, the Sun god, is a pilgrim destination twice a year in “Vaishakha” (April-May) and in “Kartika” (October-November), during the Chhath Puja or sun Worship.
Access :Nearest airport is Patna 93 Kms.Nearest railway station is Bakhtiyarpur 38 Kms.Connected by Road to Patna, Rajgir, Gaya, Delhi and Calcutta.****************************