Nov 17, 2004 12:14 PM
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(Updated Nov 17, 2004 12:14 PM)
I had an occasion to take a trip to Bihar, and once there I decided to take a trip to the ancient city of Gaya to personally experience the sacred city where the Hindu and Buddhist Pilgrims throng through out the year. GAYA. Gaya is a Hindu sacred city.
The old city is developed around the famous ?VISHNUPADA? temple on the bank of a unique river named ?PHALGU? (which does not have water flowing above its surface but a digging of about 4 inches or so you get water). Gaya is located at a distance of about 100 kms from Patna (Bihar?s capital) and is well connected to Patna by road and train.
Gaya is also directly linked to Kolkatta, Delhi, Mumbai, Nagpur, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Gwalior, Indore, and other cities by train. Nearest Airport is Patna (check for airport services at Gaya).
It is situated on National Highway No.2 {Grand Trunk road) which connects Kolkatta to Delhi. Take precaution to avoid driving during night. There are various places to stay and most of the hotels are budget ones. In additions to this you can stay at various Dharamshalas which are priced unbelievably cheap. But if you are going before Dussahra make your stay arrangements well in advance.
Ya, you can also stay at Bodh Gaya where you can find better hotels and it is just 14 Kms from Gaya city and is well connected by road. You get State Govt.
Buses or taxi/auto to reach there. Try some local sweets at Gaya which you get in name of ?Tilkut, Enarsa, Khobi ?ka ?lai, Khaja? etc. they are simply superb and have very good quality at moderate / low prices. The overall law and order position in Bihar is not generally good, so exercise little caution.
BODH-GAYA.
While at Gaya do not forget to see Bodh Gaya. A place, where Gautam Buddha got enlightenment. It is a place on Buddhist tourist circuit and huge number of tourist (Indian as well as foreigner) visits this place round the calendar.
There are various places to be seen in Bodh Gaya. The first is the ?PIPAL? tree behind the main temple below which Buddha got enlightenment. Adjacent to this you can see some architecture work dating back to 1 BC and some stone railing of Gupta period. Next one must see the Main temple (as it is locally known). To the backside of it there is a beautiful lotus pond with an Ashokan Pillar.
Then there are various other temples / monasteries which are known after the name of different country such as Chinese temple, Thai temple, Japanese temple, Nipponji etc. These temples are spread over in an area of about 2 square Kms and the best way to go from one temple to another is to hire a rickshaw (bargain first).
There are some good hotels and tourist bungalows in this area which are well kept and priced right. Food in these hotels is expensive compared to what you get in small restaurants in this area. (Discretion requested) Coming back from Gaya & Bodh Gaya you can buy souvenir. You can find some intesting small to medium size stone artifacts which are built locally.
Other places of tourist interest near this place are Rajgir (hot water spring), Nalanda (remains of ancient Nalanda University) and Pavapuri (place where Lord Mahavira got enlightenment). These places are with 40 to 60 kms from Gaya by road and are also connected to Patna. (road is bumpy / night driving to be avoided).
Time required ? 2 days.
Alok Ranjan
