Bodh Gaya

Buddha Gaya is the most holy place on earth for Buddhists all over the world. Buddha was born 563 BC in Nepal - as Siddhartha, he renounced his family at the age of 29 his gaining enlightenment in 534 BC and traveled and meditated in search of truth. After meditating for six years at Urubela (Buddhagaya) in Gaya, he attained Buddhatva or enlightenment.  
Bodh Gaya  is  the most important of the four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha, the other three being at Kushinagar, Lumbini, and Sarnath.
Mahabodhi Temple is a beautiful temple built in the 3rd century at the very spot where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Asoka was an ardent devotee of Buddha and it is he who built this temple in lord's honor. There is a huge and beautiful idol of the Lord inside this shrine.
The Bodhi Tree is the sacred tree under which Lord Buddha meditated and attained nirvana or enlightenment. Pilgrims take back home the leaves of this Bodhi tree as blessings of the lord. It is said that a sapling of the original Bodhi tree was taken from here to Srilanka and the Bodhi tree is still present there.
 

Mahabodhi temple, one of the world’s holiest Buddhist shrines, is to have its dome inlaid with 300 kilogrammes of gold donated by His Majesty the King.The Mahabodhi temple, built about 1,500 years ago, is a Unesco world heritage site.

Peaceful and serene golden idol of Gautam Buddha at The Mahabodhi Temple

The sacred Mahabodhi Tree under which Buddha received enlightenment

Buddha's sacred foot prints inlaid in stone

Various stupas around the temple - above and below

 

Ratnaghara - the place of basic contemplation. Lord Buddha spent the fourth week here in meditation reflecting on the Pathana or the casual law

Cankamana (Cloister Walk) - Lord Buddha spent the third week here walking up and down in meditation. on the platform Lotuses indicate the places where the Lords feet were rested while walking

Rajayatana - After enlightenment Lord Buddha spent the seventh week in meditation here.

Mucalinda Lake - The abode of the snake king.Lord Buddha spent the sixth week meditating here. While he was meditating there was severe thunderstorm. To protect him from the violent wind and rain even the wild animals came out to protect him

Animesa Locana - The place of unwinking gazing. After enlightenment Lord Buddha spent the second week in meditation here gazing unwinkingly at the Bodhi Tree

Ajpal Nigrodh Vriksha or Tree.After enlightenment Buddha spent the 5th week in contemplation here.It is at this spot that Buddha told a Brahmin pilgrim that a man becomes a Brahmin not because of his his birth but on account of deeds.

Rajgir - Tourist Attractions

I was on a week long trip to Patna & Rajgir/Nalanda & Bodh Gaya during November 2013.

Jivaka Amravana Vihara - Jivaka was a renowned physician in the court of Bimbisara and Ajathasatru during the 6th-5th century BC. He presented his extensive mango grove to Gautama Buddha and constructed a monastery for the community. These structures have been identified as the remains of the Amravana Vihara & monastery

Chariot wheel marks and shell inscriptions probably belonging to the 4th or 5th century AD. According to legend the chariot wheel marks belong to the Mahabharata period.

Bimbisara Jail - This structure has been been identified as a jail of the 5th century BC where King Bimbisara was kept in confinement by his son Ajatasatru

Son Bhandar Caves - These caves were excavated during the 4th century AD by the great Sage Vairadeva for Jaina sages.

Maniyar Math - This may be identified with the Manimala Caitya mentioned in the Pali texts or the shrine of Mani Naga mentioned in the Mahabharata. only the ruins remain now.

Hot Water Springs:  The Saptparni cave is the source of the Rajgir Hot Water Springs that have curative properties (likely due to the sulfur) and are sacred to the Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. Here, hot water from seven different springs (together called Saptarshi, or seven sages) merge. Separate bathing places have been organized for men and women and the water comes through spouts from Saptdhara, the seven streams. The hottest of the springs is the Brahmakund with a temperature of 45 degree Centigrade.
Here you can see devotees bathing. I had hot water baths in the Sapthadhara and then again a dip in the Brahmakund.

Viswhwa Shanthi Stupa - Rajgir

The name Rajgir came from Rājagṛiha 'house of the king' or "royal house", or the word rajgir might have its origin in its plain literal meaning, "royal mountain". It was the ancient capital city of the Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when Ajathasatru moved the capital to Pataliputra In those days, it was called Rajgrih,  which translates as 'the home of Royalty'.It was here that Gautam Buddha spent several months meditating, and preaching at Gridhara Kuta  ('Hill of the Vultures'). He also delivered some of his famous sermons and initiated King Bimbisara of Magadha and countless others to Buddhism.Vishwa Shanti Stupa is a major tourist attraction at Rajgir. 

 Nichidatsu Fujii (1885-1985), a Buddhist monk from Japan and founder of the Nipponzan-Myohoji Buddhist sect, set an example for world peace through Peace Pagodas. In series of establishing peace pagodas world over he established one such peace pagoda at Rajgir which is called Vishwa Shanti Stupa.     World Peace Pagoda at Rajgir is made of spotless white marble and is a remarkable monument. Vishwa Shanti Stupa is the tallest peace Pagoda in the world standing tall at 400 meters and houses four statues of Lord Buddha on the four side-corners of the stupa.   The four statues on four corner-sides of stupa depict the four phases of life of Lord Buddha. These statues are made of gold and depict birth, enlightenment, teaching and passing away of Lord Buddha which are symbolical of Lord Buddha’s teachings and transient life.

Aerial Ropeway takes us up the hill. The ropeway travel is fascinating & the scenery breathtaking

The World Peace Pagoda in serene settings - Above & Below

Golden Statues of Buddha depicting the various phases of his life.

Family of friendly Indian Langurs seen roaming in the Temple

Meditation Hall - You can meditate here and make offering of flowers & incense

Nalanda University Ruins Part 2

Excavations conducted by ASI between 1915-1937 and 1974-82 have exposed extensive remains of six brick temples and eleven monasteries arranged in a systematic layout and spread over over an area of over one Square Kilometre.Basically a 30 meter passage runs Noth-South with a row of Temples on the West and Monasteries on the east.

The excavations did not unearth the main entrance - hence an opening was created through a wall

Meditation Platforms - above & below

Entrance to one of the monasteries - Row of hostel rooms for students and larger rooms for the faculty. There had excellent drainage system. Bathrooms were common.

Shelf for keeping books

Nice at the room entrance for keeping lamp.

Ventilation apertures near the ceiling

Common Prayer Room. Statue of Buddha which was once installed here stands destroyed & the prayer room burnt down - above and below.

A lecture platform - Teaching was in an open air rectangular courtyard - Above & Below

A fire place was lit during lectures - to carry out experiments as well to keep the place warm during winter. Also used to cook and provide food to students.

An Octagonal shaped open well - to provide water

A second monastery with rectangular court yard and lecture platform with hostel rooms all around.

Above - Large Granary to store food & Below - The most imposing structure is Temple No.3 at the Southern Extremity which was constructed in 7 phases. It is surrounded by a number of votive stupas and minor shrines