Bodhgaya, Bihar

Bodhgaya.

It was here, 2600year ago, that Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment beneath a bodhi tree and so became the Buddha.

Bihar being the birth place of Buddhism, with the Lord Buddha spent much of his time here, is one of the poorest state and most troubled region in India.

A few years ago, I asked myself if I am going to die soon, which are the places that I really want to visit?

Bodhgaya was one of the places.

I am very happy that I came here and meditated near the Bodhi Tree.

The journey from Darjeeling to Bodhgaya was the worst in trip - long hours, uncomfortable, cold, and biten by bed-bugs (yes, the bugs were stuck in my clothes now).

11.30am - Jeep from Darjeeling to Siliguri

5pm - Bus from Siliguri to Patna

8am - Bus from Patna to Gaya

12noon- Motor from Patna to Bodhgaya

2pm - Arrived in Hotel

The most "memorable" was the overnight bus from Siliguri to Patna.

The bus was overloaded with Goods on top, people would be anywhere you could find space - on the aisle, the top, and my hand-rest. The bus would stop and pick up anybody on the street, and they would squeeze themselves into the bus after a nasty arguement and shouting. Very Chaotic and messy, plus Cold Cold night.

At least, I know that my tolerance level had increased quite a lot.

After this bus ride, other transports else seemed to be so much better, comparatively.

One of the great things along the trip - meeting nice helpful people. =)
Wangdi and his family.
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We arrived in Patna (Capital of Bihar State) bus station quite lost - all the buses did not have english wording, the locals did not speak much english. Knowing that Bihar was one of the most dangerous place in India, we were extra wary, careful and skeptical of the people.
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Anyway, long story short. We met Wangdi and his family (Nepali origin from Darjeeling) who were on pilgrimage to Bodhgaya for 17th Karmapa Lama Sermon Preaching. Speaking good english, they took the initiative to invite us to join them to go to Bodhgaya together.
It was all these simple gesture of kindness that made the trip pleasant and enjoyable.
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Clockwise from Top right: Japanese ZEN temple; Bhutanese temple; Stalls selling buddhist beads & monks' bags.
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In the small place of Bodhgaya, you could see a variety of different Buddhist temples - Japanese, Bhutanese, Thai, Chinese, Tibetan, Burmese, Nepali, Vietnamese etc... and you will see different monks and nuns wearing different colours of outfit which reflects the countries & sects of Buddhism.

"Free Burma, Save Buddhism"

Propaganda:

"We walk the ground where Buddha walked.

So where ever you live in the world,

SAY WITH PRIDE

I AM BIHARI"

Mahabodhi Temple

- situated adjacent to the spot where Buddha attained enlightenment and formulated his philosophy of life. (World Heritage-listed)

Sights of Bodhgaya

Bodhi Tree

This was not the original Bodhi Tree. Ashoka's wife murdered the original Bodhi Tree, but fortunately, a sapling from the original tree was carried to Sri Lanka by Ashoka's daughter. Now, this Bodhi tree was a cutting carried back and planted where the original had stood.
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It was interesting to see monks/nuns of different robes and Buddhist pilgrims of different skin colours performing different rituals, but the goal was a common one - praying for peace and happiness for the world.

A mass praying session led by 17th Karmapa.