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‪@vrajith1‬ #tourism #travel #bodhgaya #buddha #bihar #mahabodhimandir 🧘 Journey to the Heartland – Part 4: Bodh Gaya, Where the Path to Enlightenment Begins Along the route, we noted large piles of sand, evidence of less regulated river mining compared to places like Kerala. Before entering Bihar, we stopped for mineral water and tea, which was served in traditional clay cups. We noticed a striking absence of mobile phones among the locals—adults and children—who were chatting, playing, or sitting idly. A man arrived on a moped, exchanging corn chips for plastic scraps, leaving us wondering about his recycling plan. We crossed the massive Ganga bridges and the Karmanasha River, which marks the border between Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. A railway line ran parallel, constantly carrying goods, especially coal, and passenger trains. The highway was busy with gas tankers and transport trucks. The weather was pleasant, though rain clouds gathered as we passed through Sasaram. We paused at the Maa Tara Chandi Temple, set against the backdrop of the Kaimur Hills (the eastern end of the Vindhyas), which are known for plateaus, waterfalls, and ancient rock paintings. In the temple pond, we witnessed an impressive sight: a mother monkey swimming with her baby clinging to her back. Sasaram is also crossed by the Sone River, a major southern tributary of the Ganga. Continuing through Aurangabad and Madanpur, we encountered heavy rain, fearing it might disrupt our sightseeing in Bodh Gaya. However, after crossing the Shankala Toll Plaza and Sherghatti, we reached Bodh Gaya via the Dhobi–Gaya–Patna National Highway 22, and thankfully, the rain had stopped. Bodh Gaya immediately emanates a distinct Buddhist aura. We checked into Hotel Anand International and were welcomed with white shawls. The hotel was impeccably clean, and we enjoyed a delicious lunch. Vehicle entry in Bodh Gaya is highly restricted; only e-autos operate. Our driver, Pawan, an e-auto owner whose family earns its living through Buddhist pilgrimage tourism, quoted a package price of ₹1,500. 🏛️ The Monasteries and the Great Buddha Our first stop was the Thai Monastery (Wat Thai). With its golden, sloping roof and ornate architecture, it resembles temples in Bangkok. Built in the 1950s, it now serves as a meditation, refuge, and pilgrimage centre, housing a large bronze Buddha and murals depicting his life. Next was the Royal Bhutan Monastery, built in the traditional Dzong style. It features exquisite woodwork, vibrant murals, and a seven-foot Buddha statue at its centre, along with rest houses for monks and visitors. We then visited the Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple, inaugurated in 1973. Constructed entirely of wood in the pagoda style, it features Japanese carvings, paintings, and a serene surrounding garden. A remarkable sight is the 80-foot statue of the Buddha in meditation, known as the Blue Buddha. Made of sandstone and red granite, this majestic and serene statue was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 1989 and symbolizes peace and enlightenment. 🙏 The Spiritual Heart: Mahabodhi Temple The true spiritual heart of Bodh Gaya is the Mahabodhi Temple Complex, the sacred ground where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment in 531 BCE. Entry restrictions are strict: shoes, bags, and mobile phones must be deposited. The moment we surrendered our phones, we felt unexpectedly liberated, experiencing the sacred space directly. The first temple here was erected by Emperor Ashoka in 260 BCE. The current structure dates to the Gupta period (5th–6th century CE) and is the only surviving stone temple of its kind. UNESCO declared it a World Heritage Site in 2002. The main temple rises to a towering 180-foot pyramidal shikhara. Inside, the golden-hued Buddha in bhumisparsha mudra is encased in glass. Devotees wait in long queues for a brief moment of darshan. Behind the main temple stands the sacred Bodhi Tree, believed to be descended from the original under which Gautama meditated. Beneath it is the grey stone slab, the Bodhimandala, established by Ashoka to mark the seat of enlightenment. Monks chant mantras here while devotees offer prayers. The 30-acre complex also includes sites related to the Buddha’s post-enlightenment weeks: the Animesh Lochan Chaitya (where he gazed at the tree), the Ratnachakrama or Jewel Walk (where he continuously walked), and the Muchalinda Lake (where the serpent king sheltered him). We observed many newly converted Buddhists, followers of Ambedkar, performing Hindu rituals at the Muchalinda Lake with priests, highlighting an inner conflict between their new and old faiths. Though closed, we also saw the striking Meta Buddharam Temple, known locally as the “Flying Plate,” which glows brilliantly at night. We returned to the hotel for a peaceful, hearty dinner, concluding our day in Bodh Gaya. Tomorrow morning, our journey continues to Rajgir.