Bodh Gaya is an ideal destination for those who seek solace. It is renowned as the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage destination situated near the Gaya city in Bihar. This is the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under a pipal tree. The place is most revered by Buddhists. For devotees this place is a must- see destination during their Sarnath Bodh Gaya tour.
Some of the popular tourist attractions of Bodh Gaya are:
MahabodhiTemple
This temple is a popular UNESCO world heritage site. It is known as one of the four sacred sites related to Buddha’s life. This beautiful temple was built by the great emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century B.C. This structure is made up of bricks. Inside the Mahabodhi temple the walls are carved with the scenes related to the life of Lord Buddha.
Durgeshwari Cave Temples
This temple is located 12 km north-east of Bodh Gaya. It is popularly known as Mahakala caves. These caves enclose Buddhist shrines where Lord Buddha meditated for a long time during his enlightenment.
Bodhi Sarovar
Nestled in the western part of the sacred Bodhi Temple, this is the pond where Gautam Buddha took bath before he started mediation. It is a beautiful place having great spiritual significance for pilgrims who come here to experience the mysticism of this place.
After attaining enlightenment Buddha came to Sarnath and delivered his first sermon. Since then Sarnath is known as a sacred place which is visited by many pilgrims during their religious tours to India. It is situated about10 km away from Varanasi. This is the place where Lord Buddha chanted the mantra Buddham Sharanam Gachhami for the first time. During the Sarnath pilgrimage tour tourists can visit the following popular tourist attractions:
Ashoka Pillar
This
Chaukhandi Stupa`
While traveling from Bodhgaya to Sarnath Gautam Buddha met his disciples at a place which is known as Chaukhandi Stupa. The temple stands in the lush green surroundings where you can experience tranquility, peace and spirituality.
Sarnath Museum
Enriched with some of the wonderful specimens of Buddhist art this museum is worth a visit. Here tourists can catch glimpses of the old era through its preserved artifacts like sculptures, excavated ruins and images.