TRAVEL GUIDE: March 2020

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Bodh Gaya

Bodhi Tree

(For tour and travel information please visit Buddha Teachings)

(Best Tour Packages)

Bodh Gaya is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site as it is here where Buddha meditated under the Bodhi Tree and was enlightened. The site is situated in Gaya district in Bihar, India. The site has been developed into Mahabodhi Temple Complex which was declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The site contains the Mahabodhi Temple, Vajrasana or Diamond Throne and the Bodhi Tree.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit is during the months of April to May for the Buddha Jayanti festival and then in the months of October to March.

How to travel from Delhi to Bodh Gaya

Delhi to Gaya: The cheapest ride from Delhi to Gaya (Gaya Junction) would be on Indian Railways Train. It takes around 11 hrs to 18 hrs and the fare ranges from Rs 500 for sleeper class to Rs 1400 for AC 3 tier. The cheapest flight from Delhi to Gaya would cost around Rs 3,800 and takes around 5 hrs to 9 hrs to reach.

Gorakhpur to Gaya

If you are travelling from Gorakhpur (GKP) there is a direct Indian Railways Train Gkp Shm Express train no 15022 that travels only on Mondays. It takes around 8 hrs and the fare ranges from Rs 275 for sleeper class and Rs 745 for AC 3 tier.

Gorakhpur to Gaya via Varanasi

Gorakhpur to Varanasi: For other days travelers can connect their journey via Varanasi, and if time permits they can visit Sarnath (Deer park where Buddha formed the Sangha and gave his first sermon) which is at a distance of 10 km from the Varanasi railway station. The train takes around 4 hrs to 6 hrs and the fare cost around Rs 200 for sleeper class and Rs 500 for AC 3 tier. The flight to Varanasi would cost around Rs 4000 and would take around 7 hrs to 8 hrs to reach. From Varanasi railway station you could take a taxi or a rickshaw to the Deer Park, Sarnath.

Travelers can also take an early morning direct train to Sarnath (SRNT) from Gorakhpur. It takes around 6 hrs to reach and the fare cost around Rs 200 for sleeper class and Rs 500 for AC 3 tier. From Sarnath railway station travelers can take a taxi or a rickshaw to the Deer Park which is at a distance of around 2 km.

Varanasi to Gaya: There are no direct trains from Sarnath to Gaya so travelers will have to catch a train from Varanasi railway station. It takes around 4 hrs to 5 hrs and would cost around Rs 200 for sleeper class and Rs 500 for AC 3 tier.

Gaya to Bodh Gaya: Bodh Gaya is at a distance of around 16 km from Gaya railway station and 10 km from Gaya Airport. Travelers can take a taxi or a rickshaw to Bodh Gaya. It is advised by experienced travelers to bargain for the prices. State run buses are also available from the main road bus stands to Bodh Gaya.

Accommodation: Travelers can find many hotels nearby Mahabodhi Temple Complex at great deals costing under Rs 1000 for 2 nights. One to two days is sufficient to visit places in Bodh Gaya.

Food: Travelers can try traditional Bihari cuisine and also cuisines from different countries like Tibetan, Italian, Thai and Korean. Gaya is also famous for sweets like Enursa, Tilkut, Khaja, Lai and Kesariya Peda.

Places to visit in Bodh Gaya

Mahabodhi Temple Complex

Entry Fee: No entry fee, Rs 100 for camera and Rs 300 for video camera.

Timings: 5 am to 12 pm, 4 pm to 9 pm

Tips: Mobile phones and other electronic devices are not allowed inside the premises; they can be left at the baggage counter.

Mahabodhi Temple

Mahabodhi temple marks the location where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. It was declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The temple foundation was laid by Emperor Ashoka in around 250 BC. He also placed a Diamond Throne called Vajrasana known as the Bodhimanda (the seat of enlightment).

Bodhi Tree

The present Bodhi Tree is the fifth generation of the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. Other descendents of the original Bodhi tree are in Sravasti (or presently Shravasti), India and in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Bodhi day is celebrated as the day on which Buddha attained enlightenment. It is the 8^th day of the 12^th month of the lunar calendar, which means the date changes every year or on 8^th December by some.

Muchalinda Lake

Muchalinda Lake is full of fishes next to the temple with peaceful surroundings. It is said that the snake king Muchalinda protected Buddha from the storm which arose on the forth week when he was meditating under the Bodhi Tree. There is a beautiful statue of Buddha meditating and Muchalinda protecting him situated in the center of the lake.

Cankamana

Cankamana is a part of Mahabodhi Temple; where Buddha’s feet’s are carved along the path which was used by Buddha to practice walking meditation during the third week. After the sunset the path becomes a wonderful site when it is decorated with flowers and candles.

Ajapala Nigrodha Tree

It was the tree where Buddha completed fifth week of meditation after enlightenment and also gave sermon to the locals. The tree no more exist but the location is marked by a pillar. It is in front of Mahabodhi Temple.

Animesh Lochana Chaitya Shrine

Animesh Lochana Chaitya Shrine

It is the place where Buddha spent his second week after enlightenment meditating by continuously looking at the Bodhi Tree without blinking his eyes. It is situated in the north east direction of the Mahabodhi Temple.

Archaeological Society of India Museum

Archaeological Society Museum

The museum is situated inside the Mahabodhi Temple Complex; it is open from 10 am to 5 pm and there is no entry fee. The museum has a collection of ancient articles of Brahmanical and Buddhist belief related to Pala period. Beautiful stone and bronze statues and sculptures, panels, rods, plaques, pillars, railings etc has been displayed in the museum.

Great Buddha Statue

The spectacular statue is 25 meters in height and is a symbol of peace which has a slogan saying “Spread Buddha’s rays to the Whole World”. The statue was built by the Daijokyo Temple and was blessed by the Dalai Lama in its consecration day.

Multimedia Museum

The museum is situated next to the Mahabodhi temple; it is open from 9 am to 6pm and there is no entry fee. They show multimedia and 3D animation movies related to life of Buddha and his teachings.

Monasteries and Temples

Bhutan Monastery

Burmese Temple

Chinese Temple

Daijokyo Temple

Japanese Temple

Root Institute

Sujatha Temple

Thai Temple

Vietnamese Temple

Thursday, March 19, 2020

Delhi to Lumbini (Birth Place of Lord Buddha)

(For tour and travel information please visit Buddha Teachings)

(Best Tour Packages)

Lumbini is situated in Rupandehi district of Southern Nepal. It is the most important holy site as it is the birth place of Lord Buddha who was the founder of Buddhism. The site was declared as World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1997. The site has been developed into a monastic zone (an international peace park) with places of religious significance. The site is separated into eastern zone having Theravadin monasteries and the western zone having Mahayana and Vajrayana monasteries.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit is in the months of April to May for Buddha Jayanti festival and then in the months of October to November when the weather is pleasant. The summers are hot, pleasant during autumn and cold during winters.

How to travel from Delhi to Lumbini

If you are on a budget tour then the cheapest route would be from Delhi to Gorakhpur to Sonauli border to Lumbini.

Delhi to Gorakhpur: From Delhi travelers can take Indian Railways train to Gorakhpur (Gorakhpur Junction GKP). It takes around 12 hr to 16 hr to reach and the fare ranging from around Rs 500 for sleeper class to Rs 1200 for Ac 3 tier. If one can spend on flight the cheapest flight ticket could cost around Rs 3000 and take around 2 hr to reach Gorakhpur (GOP).

Gorakhpur to Sonauli: On reaching Gorakhpur travelers can take a bus to Sonauli (Indian-Nepal) border from Gorakhpur bus station which is around 1 km from the railway station and around 8 km from the airport. The cost for UPSRTC bus would be around Rs 200 which takes around 3 hr and a private bus would cost around Rs 500 which takes around 1hr.

How to cross Sonauli (India-Nepal) border:

The bus drops you few hundred meters from the border. From where you can either walk or take a cycle rickshaw towards the border immigration office. It’s advised by many experienced travelers to catch a ride to your destination from Nepal after crossing the border.

Travelers on foot can cross the border 24 hrs a day. The border closes for vehicles at 10 pm and reopens at 6 am.

Indian citizens don't need visa or passport to cross the border. Acceptable documents include ration card, voter id and driving license with photo.

Foreigners can get departure stamp on there passport from the Indian immigration office on the right side before the border. Nepali visas on arrival are issued in Nepal immigration office at Belahiya, Bhairahawa which is on the right side a short distance after the border. Make sure to carry passport photo for visa application.

It is advisable to carry US dollar currency to pay for visa. Only Rs 100 denomination note can be used or exchanged in Nepal.

Sonauli to Lumbini: The distance from Sonauli (Indian-Nepal) border to Lumbini is only 30 km. From the border you can take a rickshaw to Buddha Chowk and then take a bus or a cab to Lumbini Bazaar. It’s a short ride and wouldn’t cost much.

Accommodation: Travelers can find many hotels in Lumbini and during the off season you can get deals as cheap as Rs 1000 for 2 nights. One day is enough to take the tour of the Lumbini World Heritage Site.

Food: The best place to eat would be at your lodgings and also advisable to carry food when you visit the site.

Conveyance: Travelers can rent a cycle (around Rs 300/day) from there accommodation. They can also rent rickshaw tour (3 hr tour for Rs 700 and 6 hr tour for Rs 1000) at the site.

Entrance Fee:

Foreign National: Rs 500 with still camera, Rs 750 for video camera

SAARC National: Rs 200 with still camera, Rs 750 for video camera

Professional filming: Rs 37000

Indian National: Rs 15 with still camera, Rs 200 for video camera

Professional filming: Rs 5000

Any updated fees are written in front of the main ticket office of Maya Devi Temple. If your camera takes videos don’t mention it otherwise you might end up paying the video camera fee.

Places to visit in Lumbini

Maya Devi Temple

The temple is the birth place of Lord Buddha. This temple marks the spot where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Lord Buddha. The archaeological remains of this site date back to time of Ashoka around 3 century BC. The archaeologists have also found ruins dating back to 6 century BC of remains of ancient tree shrine that belongs to 550 BC. This site is earliest evidence of Buddhism as well as Lord Buddha. The Ashoka Pillar, Sacred Bathing Pond and the Bodhi Tree are inside the premises of the temple complex. The temple complex remains open from 6 am to 6 pm.

Maya Devi Pond

It’s is considered a sacred pond because Queen Maya Devi used to take bath here and Lord Buddha also took his first bath in this pond. There are ancient ruins dating back to 3^rd century BC on the side of the pond.

The Ashoka Pillar

It’s a 3^rd century 6 meter tall pink sand stone pillar built in respect by Ashoka after he visited the birth place of Lord Buddha to accept Buddhism. It’s considered as first ever such structure built.

The Bodhi Tree

The Bodhi Tree (Peepal tree) is inside the temple complex where devotees meditate and pray. The tree has become a symbol of Buddhism because it was under a Bodhi Tree where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya.

Lumbini Museum

The Lumbini Museum is the world’s first state of the art museum of Buddhism. It is situated in the sacred garden area. The museum has a very rare collection of 12000 artifacts containing religious manuscripts, metal sculptures, Terra Cottas, coins from Maurya and Khusana dynasty and stamps from all over the world depicting Lumbini. The Lumbini international research institute facilitates study of Buddhism and the religion in the general. The museum remains open from Wednesday to Monday from 10 am to 4 pm.

The Eternal World Peace Flame

The Flame remains lit all the time and is placed at the center of the garden representing world peace and friendship and was brought from the United States of America.

Monasteries and Pagoda

Travelers can also visit various monasteries and pagoda where they can spend time meditating and praying in the tranquil ambiance. These are beautiful architectures built by different countries promoting the message of peace and unity and also art and culture.