Gaya is one of the religious cities of India, besides Falgu River in Bihar. The city is surrounded by rocky hills. Gautam Buddha had attained his enlightenment here under a tree which is now known as the Bodhi tree. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is also a very famous pilgrimage centre. It was included as one of the World Heritage sites by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO. The city is well-known for performing ‘Shraadh’, a ritual done by the Hindus for the deceased.
Things to do in Gaya
Gaya is famous for its rejuvenating Hara energy massages. It improves the functionality of various body organs and gives a sense of relaxation to the whole body. Pind Daan is a ritual of the Hindus conducted post the cremation of the deceased. The Barabar Caves, Falgu River, Dungeshwari hills and the Sudama Cave have a great history. The Mangla Gauri Temple, Ratnaghara and the Vishnupad Temple must also be visited in Gaya.
Tourist attractions in Gaya
The Royal Bhutan Monastery, the Bodhi tree, Vishnupad Temple, Indosan Nippon Japanese Temple, the great Buddha statue, Thai monastery are the must-visits in Gaya.
Places to shop in Gaya
The Kundan Bazaar, Bodhgaya Handicrafts, Tibetan Refugee Market and the Mahabodhi bookshop have many things to offer in Gaya. They are the perfect places to purchase jewellery, religious scripts and handicrafts in Gaya.
Best time to visit Gaya
The best time to visit Gaya is during its winters, i.e. September to January because the temperature is conducive. Thousands of pilgrims visit the city during these months.
Modes of transport in Gaya
The Bihar State Tourism Development (BSTD) has arranged good transport facilities for buses. Taxis, auto-rickshaws, cycle, rickshaws and tongas are available to commute within the city.
Weather in Gaya
The weather is mostly warm because it falls into the tropical region. The temperature rises to 40°C in the summers and gets as low as 6°C in the winters. The summers are in the months between, March to June and the winters are from October to March.
Airport in Gaya
The IATA code of Gaya airport is GAY. The airport here is well known by the name Bodhgaya airport 12 km away from the main city.