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Gaya is one of the important holy places for Hindus and thousands of devotees throng this small town every year for pilgrimage. The main pilgrim center in Gaya is the Vishnu temple. Legend has it that this temple was built on Lord Vishnu’s footsteps and is thus considered very sacred by the devotees. It is also believed by Hindus that if the final rights are performed in Gaya, the departed soul goes to heaven. Location Gaya is located in the central part of the state of Bihar, in the northeastern part of India. It is a part of the great Gangetic plains. It is located to the west of the Falgu River, which is a tributary of river Ganga. It is 13 km north of Bodhgaya and 100 km south of Patna city. The climate of Gaya is tropical. Summers are generally hot (April’June), while winters are cool (October’February). It experiences southwestern monsoon rains from July to September. Best time to visit The best time to visit the Gaya is during winter. How To Get There Gaya have an airport of its own. There is a small railway station, which is located on the northern part of the town. As Gaya is on the main Delhi’Calcutta railway line, there are a number of trains to Delhi, Calcutta, Varanasi, Puri and Patna.There are two bus stands in Gaya, on either side of the Falgu River. The Gandhi Maidan bus station is on the west side of the Falgu River and there are a number of buses to Patna (4 hours) and Ranchi (7 hours), from here. One can catch buses for Rajgir (3 hours) from the Gaurakshini bus station to the east of the Falgu River. There is good bus service for the holy towns of Bodhgaya and Varanasi. Auto-rickshaws ply between Gaya and Bodhgaya, but they are overcrowded, most of the time.

One can move around the city in auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws. History There are references to the town of Gaya in the Hindu epic of Ramayana. Sita, the wife of Lord Ram, one of the principal Hindu deities, is said to have cursed the Falgu River. Gaya was a part of the ancient Mauryan Empire in the 3rd century bc. Inscriptions belonging to King Ashoka, the great Mauryan ruler, have been found near Gaya. The small town of Gaya was the part of the great Mughal Empire in medieval times. After the disintegration of the Mughal Empire, it came under the rule of many regional kingdoms. In 1787 Queen Ahilyabai Holkar, who belonged to the ruling Holkar family of Indore, built the Vishnupad temple (Vishnupad, footstep of Lord Vishnu) in Gaya. Festivals Important Hindu religious festivals are celebrated in Gaya and a hoard of pilgrims descends on this small town to take part in the rituals associated with these festivals. Excursions There are a number of small shrines near Gaya and pilgrims usually visit them to complete the ritual circuit. Thirty-six km north of Gaya are the ancient caves of Barabar, which belong to the 3rd century bc. These caves are famous for their inscriptions dating back to the time of King Ashok, the great Mauryan ruler. The town of Bodhgaya is 13 km south of Gaya. As Gaya is an important place for Hindu pilgrims, Bodhgaya is one the four holiest places of Buddhism, as Lord Gautam Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment here. The historic town of Rajgir is 50 km east of Gaya. Bodhi Sarovar: Situated in an attractive place, this pond is towards the west of Bodhi temple and it is believed that before going in for meditation Buddha took bath in this pond.Bodhi Tree: It was here that the Sakya prince (then known as Gautama) first saw “light” under the Bodhi tree and became “Buddha”, the enlightened one. It still holds a very important role to Buddhists of all traditions and acts as an inspiration and a symbol of peace.

Chankamana: Chankaramana or the Jewel Walk is a raised platform with foot impressions of Buddha. It is believed that Buddha pondered here on whether to reveal his knowledge to the world or not. Inside it is a Tibetan monastery with a large Dharma Chakra or the Wheel of Law.Maha Bodhi temple: Situated about 13 kms from Gaya, it is one of the important places of worship for the Buddhists and is also a significant archaeological site. It is 15 metres square and rises to a height of 52 metres. There is a big statue of Lord Buddha inside with his hands touching the earth.

Pretshila Hill: This hill is about 10 kms from the Ramshila hill and just below the hill is the Brahma Kund. After taking bath in this pond people go for the Pind Dan (involving performance of some religious rites and rituals. This is done for peace of the departed soul of the ancestor.) The temple is an attraction for the tourists due to its unique architecture and magnificent sculptures. Surya Kund: West of the Vishnu temple is the pond, Surya Kund. Here in the Hindu months of chaitya (March-April) and Kartikya (September-October) the festival of Sun God is held and a fair is also organized on these occasions at the KundThe Museum (Bodh Gaya): There is a large collection of stone sculptures and other artifacts in this museum maintained by The Archaeological survey of India. The bronze statues in the museum are very attractive. It also has a small collection of Buddha statues and pillars.

Rajgir

Rajgir, which means ‘house of the king’, was the ancient capital city of the Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when Ajatsatru moved the capital to Pataliputra. Forty-six km from Bodhgaya, the town is sacred to the memory of the founders of both Buddhism and Jainism and houses historical remains like the cyclopean wall and marks engraved in rocks.

Rajgir is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site since the Buddha spent 12 years here, and the first Buddhist council after the Buddha was hosted here at the Saptaparni caves. Lord Buddha often went into retreat at the Jivkamaravana monastery in a beautiful orchard. One of his most devoted and prosperous devotees, surgeon Jivaka also lived here. The rich merchant community here soon became the Buddha’s followers and built many structures of typical Buddhist architecture.

Lord Buddha converted the Mauryan king Bimbisara, one of his most celebrated followers, to Buddhism at the Griddhakuta hill, where he delivered many of his sermons as well. The Japanese have built a Stupa on top of the Ratnagiri hill, linked by a rope way. It was here that the teachings of Buddha were penned down for the first time. Rajgir is also an important place of pilgrimage for the Hindus and Jains. Other places to be visited are Bimbisara ka jail, Jarasandha ka akhara, Venuvana, Karand tank, Maniyar math, Swamabhandar cave, Pippala cave, Viswa Shanti Stupa, the famous hot water springs and ruins of an old fort.

Location and History The Buddha lived in the sixth century BC Mahavir was born in 567 BC and the traveller in Bihar will encounter them both constantly. Rajgir is 10 kms. south of Nalanda and sacred to the memory of the founder of both Buddhism and Jainism Lord Buddha spent many months of retreat during the rainy season here, and use to meditate and preach on Groddhkuta, the “Hill of the Vultures”. Lord Mahavir spent 14 years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda.

It was in Rajgrih that Lord Buddha delivered some of his famous sermons and converted king Bimbisara of the Magadh Kingdom and countless others to his creed. Once a great city, Rajgir is just a village today, but vestives of a legendary and historical past remain, like the cyclopean wall that encircles the town and the marks engraved in rock that local folklore ascribes to Lord Krishna’s chariot. This legend, like many others, associates Rajgir to that distant time when the stirring events recorded in the epic Mahabharat were being inacted.

Pilgrimage Attractions of Rajgir

Griddhakuta or Vulture’s Peak This was the place where the Lord Buddha set in motion his second wheel of law and for three months every year during the rainy season, Preached many inspiring sermons to his disciples. The Buddha Sangha of Japan have constructed a massive modern stupa, the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), at the top of the hill in commemoration. A bridle path leads up to the hill but it is much more fun to take the Aerial Chairlift which operates every day except Thursday. One way ride takes 7.5 minutes and the view is splendid over the hills of Rajgir. Jain Temples On hill crests around Rajgir, far in the distances one can see about 26 Jain temples. They are difficult to approach for the untrained, but make exciting trekking for those in form. Hot Springs At the foot of the Vaibhava Hill. A staircase leads up to the various temples. Separate bathing places have been organised for men and women and the water comes through spouts from Saptadhara, the seven streams, believed to find their source behind the “Saptaparni Caves”, up in the hills. The hottest of the springs is the Brahmakund with a temperature od 45 degree Celsius. Pippala Cave Above the hot springs on the Vaibhava Hill, is a rectangular stone sculpted by the forces of nature which appears to have been used as a Watch tower. Since it later become the resort of pious hermits, it is also called Pippala Cave and popularly known as “Jarasandha ki Baithak” after the name of the King Jarasandha, a contemporary of Lord Krishna described in the epic Mahabharat. Venuvana Site of the monastery Venuvana Vihar built by King Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to reside. This was the King’s first offering to Lord Buddha. »

Other Places of Attractions Other archaeological sites including the Karnada Tank where Lord Buddha used to bathe, the maniyar Math that dates from the 1st century AD, the Maraka Kushi where the still unborn Ajatshatru was cursed as a patricide, the Rannbhumi where Bhima and Jarasandha fought one of the Mahabharat battles.

The Chariot Route and shell inscriptions are worth a visit for the strangeness of the phenomenon, two parallel furrows cut deep into the rock for about thirty feet giving credence to the local belief that they were “burnt” into the rock by the speed and power of Lord Krishna’s chariot when he entered the city of Rajgir during the epic Mahabharat times. Several shell inscriptions, undeciphered characters current in central and eastern India from the 1st to the 5th centuries AD, are engraved in the rock around the chariot marks. Virayatan -a Jain temple and Museum.

Excursions

Swarajpur - Baragaon 18 kms.the lake with its temple of Surya, the Sun God, is a pilgrim destination twice a year in “Vaisakha” (April-May) and in “Kartika” (October-November) during the Chhath Puja or Sun Worship. Kundalpur The Digamber sector of the Jains believe that Lord Mahavir was born at Kundalpur, 18 kms. from Rajgir. A Jain temple and two lotus lakes -the Dirga Pushkarni and Pandava Pushkarni mark the spot. Pawapuri 35 kms. A sinless city, It is a great pilgrimage centre of the Jains. Mahavira Teerthankara, the greatest profounder of Jainism had delivered his last sermon here, took Mahaprinirvana here and was cremated here. Jalamandir and Samosharan are two beautiful temples. Bihar Sharif 25 kms. away, this little town on the top of a craggy rock, attracts thousands of pilgrims of all religions who visit the tomb of Makhdum Shah Sharif-ud-din, a Muslin saint of 14th century. Bihar Sharif was once the capital of Muslim Governors of Bihar between the 13th and 16th centuries when the city was an active cultural centre and an important seat of Muslim thought and learning. Nalanda 10 kms. where ruins of the great ancient University have been excavated. The University of Nalanda was founded in 5th century AD, this great seat of learning flourished until 12th century. Once 2000 teachers and 10,000 students crowded its portals. King after king built monasteries and temples here. Other Attractions of Rajgir

Malamasa Mela Rajgir celebrates the Malamasa Mela when a fair is held here every three years. The Indian calendar every three years has a 13th month which is considered auspicious. Makar Sankranti Another festival specific to Rajgir is the Makar Sankranti Mela, held on the last of the lunar calendar month “Paus”, around middle of January. Devotees make flower offering to the deities of the temples at the Hot Springs and bathe in the holy water. Rajgir Dance Festival Department of Tourism, Bihar organises every year, this colorful festival of classical and folk dances at Rajgir from Oct. 24 to 26. How to Reach There

Air The nearest airport is Patna (107km) Rail The nearest railhead on Delhi-Howrah main line is Bhaktiyarpur, 54 kms., though the loop line connects Rajgir. Road Rajgir is connected by road to Patna, Gaya and Delhi/Calcutta

The Barabar Caves Barabar Caves (41 km): It is an important archaeological site. The caves carved out from solid rocks bear details of the life of the Buddha. The interior of these caves is chiseled to a wonderful polish. The carvings in the caves reflect the skill with which these caves were carved out. These caves were built in the 3rd century and are fine examples of the skill which the Indian mansion had attained at that time. These caves of Mauryan period are rightly considered to be the origin of Indian cave architecture. It was here in these caves where the Buddha had meditated for some time and concluded that the ultimate knowledge can not be attained through mortification of the flesh.

Location The Barabar Caves are some 35Km north of Gaya, in the state of Bihar. The 22Km rough track leading to the caves turns east off the main road to Patna at Bela, (30m minutes from Gaya, 2 hrs from Patna) where buses stop.By Bus it will take 1 hour and 3o min. Click http://gaya.freeblogsite.com Please feel free for any queries by e-mail: Adb.travel@gmail.com