Want to broaden your horizon? A visit to Bodhgaya, Rajgir and Nalanda can help you do that...

Entrance- #Mahabodhi Temple, #Bodhgaya

Sunbathing on a secluded sandy beach while sipping a Blue Lagoon can only fulfil one’s materialistic desires but not the holistic ones. If your “Rendezvous with life’s reality” is still unmet, then a travel to #Gaya, known to be one the major tourist attractions of #Bihar, could help you realise that. This blog may read like a dry piece to most of you. But at some point in life, I am sure the blog piece, will be remembered.

The #Mahabodhi Temple- inside view

#Mahabodhi Tree

I always wanted to travel to Gaya, to visit #Bodhgaya and the temples & monasteries in the vicinity. #Gaya is located 100 kmts to the South of Patna and known to be the second largest city of Bihar. The place, situated on the banks of the Phalgu River, will appeal to all those who value peace, harmony and people.  

I visited #Bodhgaya with my mother and kids, in January 2016 (January 9-11). It was a different feeling altogether... as if we were destined to visit this World #Heritage Site. Situated in Gaya District in Bihar, Bodhgaya is the same place where #Gautam #Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment under the #Mahabodhi Tree (It’s Peepal Tree). It’s called to be the most important of the four main pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha, the other three being – Kushinagar, Lumbini and Sarnath.

The vibrant #Mahabodhi Temple, in #Bodhgaya

We visited #Mahabodhi temple twice, on January 9 and 11. Truly, it’s an abode for people seeking peace, wisdom and clarity.... an encounter with one’s real self! Sitting in the shade of the #Mahabodhi Tree, at the backside of the #Mahabodhi Temple, was my dream, which I could accomplish. I also chanted “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” sitting at a corner, inside the temple and also outside, under the tree! To chant #Nam Myoho Renge Kyo is bringing forth the absolute fundamental energy of life while honoring the dignity and gravity of our ordinary lives.

We had reached Gaya from Delhi via Sealdah Rajdhani, before 5:00 am on January 9 and travelled to Gaya the same day. We headed to #Rajgir and #Nalanda University at 9:00 am on January 10, booking a taxi for whole day. It was a three-hour journey by road. Rajgir resonated history with ruins of #Bimbisara’s Jail, #Swarna Bhandra, #Maniar Math and #Ajatshatru’s Fort. Rajgir was the capital of the Magadh when Patliputra was not formed. The place cosies up with Buddhism as well as Jainism. Besides being a famous pilgrimage for #Buddhists, Rajgir also has some very beautiful Hindu and Jain temples. We loved the harmonious monasteries built by the Japanese Devotees in Rajgir.

#Maniar Math in the back drop

Another attraction of Rajgir, which I had heard about, was the ‘ropeway’, which takes one uphill to the #Shanti Stupa. We could not experience the same as small kids were not allowed on the trolley cars and also, the ropeway appeared very shaky and unsafe. Besides, other deterrents included the long queue to access the ropeway and single traveler ride at a time. 

We reached Old #Nalanda University, around 3:00 pm, which is known to be one of the earliest Universities in the world founded in the fifth century. The remnants of the splendid university still resonate the history with 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers in the premises, once upon a time. The entire University campus was said to be spread over 15,000,000 square meters of land, however, only 10% of it has been excavated so far, and the rest of the ruins are yet to be unearthed. Also, it’s said that it was blessed by the presence of the Buddha too; in fact one of the major subjects taught at this international residential university was Buddhism.

We walking through the sprawling old #Nalanda University! 

Ahhhh!.... a walk in the ruins of the university, took us to an era that saw India imparting knowledge to the world - the era when India was a coveted place for studies. The University is said to have flourished during the 5th and 12th century. 

I bet, anyone can fall in love with the sprawling campus that showcases conscientiously maintained ruins with beautiful lawns. In fact, this was the only area, during my visit to in Bihar, which spoke of mesmeric greenery and blue sky adorned with gossamer clouds.

Beautiful moments – My mom, son and daughter seemed to be on cloud nine!

Kids appeared on cloud nine! Left no chance to leave a single monastery for posing, jumping around and capturing all the captivating ruins in their cameras. 

A group of #Buddhist monks – Chanting!  ... while sitting in the middle of the  sprawling  #Nalanda University

The moment the sun started setting, the ambience looked all the more beautiful in this centre of #Buddhism. I saw a few Buddhist groups who looked as if waited only for the dawn..... to chant vigorously. The echo of the chants was as soothing as resounding bells of a temple ... as calming as the singing birds...!   Well, I also didn’t lose on the chance... sat on square shaped platform- built of red bricks, possibly a remnant of a dormitory.... and started chanting #NamMyohoRengeKyo!

Can’t express how deeply satiated I felt! Truly, the twilight that evening was majestic! None of us wanted to leave.. how we wish we were there for ever,.... far away from the insanely busy cosmopolitan life! We moved around 5:30 pm after requesting a gentleman for clicking a final group picture of ‘we four’, in the ruins of the #Nalanda University.

Our final pic in the ruins of #Nalanda University!

On our way back, we had delightful dinner in the food court of the only mall in #Gaya, called as #APR City Mall. The next evening we had to catch our train but before boarding it, I desired to revisit the #Mahabodhi temple. 

And, we spent our entire afternoon in the premises, on January 11. Good that we went there as we were meant to witness the World Peace Prayer 2016 happening in the premises of the temple. The temple looked superb with the floral decor and people (monks) robed in saffron colour. Small kids in monastic robes looked edibly gorgeous.

Our last-day in the temple went awesomely well. My mother was busy looking after kids; kids were busy playing around the wish pole with their temporary monk friends; and I was busy rejuvenating myself sitting under the #Mahabodhi tree, yet again!   

Kind of a wish pole... kids kept themselves busy throwing coins over the pole... And celebrated with incessant claps when a coin could make its way up to the top and rested there.

Last but not the least, we loved the people of Bihar, their innocence, their helping nature! ..,and, of course, the appetizing and delectable food of the city. I liked the small budget hotel where we stayed @ INR 1300 per day plus food charges – Hotel Durbar International, near Gaya Railway Station. The food, though simple, speaks love as well as quality, in this hotel.  People who want to go to on a day-trip to Rajgir and Nalanda from Gaya, must hire a taxi. It comes at a cost of INR 1800-2000 for the entire day, and the driver knows what/where his visitor wants to visit.