Bodh Gaya, India: travel guide
The Bodhi Tree and Buddhism's most sacred site in Bihar
Buddhism's holiest site — the Bodhi Tree under which Siddhartha attained enlightenment, the Mahabodhi Temple Complex, and monasteries from every Buddhist nation.
About Bodh Gaya
Bodh Gaya is a small town in Bihar and the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Siddhartha attained enlightenment beneath a Bodhi tree. It is the most sacred site in Buddhism, and visitors come from across Asia and the world.
The Mahabodhi Temple complex and its Bodhi Tree sit at the centre, with pilgrims meditating, chanting and prostrating around them. Around the town, monasteries built by Thai, Japanese, Bhutanese and Tibetan communities each reflect their own architecture. The large Great Buddha Statue and the calm of early mornings are further reasons to stay a night or two.
Bodh Gaya suits pilgrims, meditators and anyone interested in Buddhist history. The best time to visit Bodh Gaya is from October to March, as summers are very hot.
- Country
- India
- Currency
- INR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kolkata
- Nearest airport
- GAY
Last updated
Top places to visit in Bodh Gaya
Mahabodhi Temple & Bodhi Tree
temple · 4.8 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The UNESCO World Heritage temple marking the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment, with the sacred Bodhi Tree, the Vajrasana and a towering 5th-century spire.
Archaeological Museum Bodh Gaya
Museum · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
An ASI museum displaying sculptures, railings and antiquities recovered from the Mahabodhi complex, tracing Bodh Gaya's ancient Buddhist art.
Sujata Stupa
temple · 4.3 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry
A large ancient stupa across the Niranjana river marking where the milkmaid Sujata offered the Buddha kheer, ending his fasting before enlightenment.
Great Buddha Statue
Heritage · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · free entry
An 80-foot sandstone-and-granite seated Buddha unveiled in 1989, one of India's tallest, serene amid landscaped gardens.
Thai Monastery (Wat Thai)
monastery · 4.5 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A graceful golden-roofed Thai Buddhist temple with a sloping curved roof and a large bronze Buddha, set in serene grounds.
Indosan Nipponji (Japanese Temple)
temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A tranquil wooden Japanese temple in classic style, a peaceful place of meditation among Bodh Gaya's cluster of international monasteries.
Royal Bhutan Monastery
monastery · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A colourful Bhutanese monastery with vivid clay murals and traditional Drukpa architecture, a striking stop on the monastery circuit.
Tibetan Karma Monastery
monastery · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A vibrant Tibetan monastery with a giant prayer wheel and richly painted interiors, where chanting monks add to a contemplative atmosphere.
Dungeshwari Cave Temples
temple · 4.3 rating · about 1.3 h · free entry
Hilltop caves ~12 km away where the Buddha is said to have practised severe austerities before enlightenment, with shrines and valley views.
Muchalinda Lake
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 0.3 h · free entry
A serene lotus pond beside the Mahabodhi temple with a statue of the Buddha sheltered by the serpent-king Muchalinda, linked to the enlightenment story.
Things to do
- Mahabodhi Temple & Bodhi Tree Visit Cultural · 2 h · from INR 400 per person
- International Monasteries Circuit Cultural · 2.5 h · from INR 500 per person
- Buddhist Meditation Session Activity · 1.5 h · from INR 300 per person
- Dungeshwari Caves & Sujata Trip Cultural · 3 h · from INR 800 per person
Day trips and tours
- Bodh Gaya Pilgrimage Tour 7 h · from INR 1,200
- Buddhist Circuit: Bodh Gaya & Rajgir-Nalanda 11 h · from INR 2,800
- Dungeshwari & Sujata Heritage Trip 5 h · from INR 900
Where to stay in Bodh Gaya
- Temple Area about INR 1,500 per night
Sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site with accommodation
Hotels
- Hotel Bodhgaya Regency (The Royal Residency) 5-star · INR 6,000 to INR 11,000 per night
- Oaks Bodhgaya 4-star · INR 5,000 to INR 9,000 per night
- Hotel Taj Darbar 4-star · INR 3,500 to INR 6,500 per night
- Burmese Vihara Guest House 2-star · INR 800 to INR 1,800 per night
- Hotel Sujata 3-star · INR 2,800 to INR 5,000 per night
- Mahamaya Palace Hotel 3-star · INR 2,800 to INR 5,000 per night
Where to eat
- Be Happy Cafe Continental, Tibetan, Cafe · about INR 300 per person
- Fujia Green Restaurant Tibetan, Chinese, Continental · about INR 300 per person
- Hari Om Cafe Continental, Israeli, North Indian · about INR 250 per person
- Tibetan Om Cafe Tibetan, Chinese · about INR 200 per person
- Shiva Restaurant South Indian, North Indian · about INR 200 per person
- Mohammad Restaurant North Indian, Biryani, Bihari · about INR 200 per person
- Mohammed's Pizza & Cafe Italian, Continental, Cafe · about INR 300 per person
- Nirvana Restaurant (Hotel) North Indian, Chinese, Continental · about INR 450 per person
Getting to Bodh Gaya
Airport: Bodh Gaya (GAY)
Getting around
- Auto Rickshaw
- Cycle Rickshaw
- Walking
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Frequently asked questions about Bodh Gaya
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Bodh Gaya?
- The highest-rated places in our Bodh Gaya guide are Mahabodhi Temple & Bodhi Tree, Great Buddha Statue, Thai Monastery (Wat Thai), Indosan Nipponji (Japanese Temple), Royal Bhutan Monastery.
- Where should I stay in Bodh Gaya?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Bodh Gaya: Temple Area.
- How do I get around Bodh Gaya?
- Ways to get around Bodh Gaya covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Bodh Gaya?
- The nearest airport to Bodh Gaya has the code GAY.