Bodh Gaya

The Moment of Enlightenment

At Bodh Gaya – under a sacred bodhi tree – Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment, or “Buddhahood”, around 588 BC. Located about 12 kilometres south of the town of Bihar, Bodh Gaya is one of the most sacred Buddhist shrines in the world. Inside the Mahabodhi Temple complex, which is set in a lush garden setting, lies the bodhi tree. Other points of interest include Vajrasana, where Buddha sat in resolve to achieve enlightenment; Cakramana, where he spent the third week following his enlightenment; and Ratnagriha, where he spent the fourth week. The best time to go is between November and March when Tibetan pilgrims make the trip from Dharamsala. The Dalai Lama has been known to visit in the high season from December to January.