Gaya – ‘The City Dedicated to Gautam Buddha’
Gaya has utmost religious significance for Buddhists. The city resides on the banks of Falgu River surrounded by rocky, hilly areas. Soak yourself in spirituality and get bewitched by ancient architecture and nature that the city offers. Gautam Buddha had, under the Bodhi Tree, attained enlightenment. The city is most known for performing ‘Shradh’, that is a ritual performed by the Hindus for the deceased. The city offers charming lakes, museums, architectural masterpieces including caves built back in 3rd century BC. The Mahabodhi temple complex is also a pilgrimage centre that can be visited. It has been included in the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Things to do in Gaya
The Barabar Caves, Falgu River, Dungeshwari Hills and the Sudama Caves are a few historical places. People often hire guides to know the background story behind these monuments. The Mangla Gauri Temple, Ratnaghara and the Vishnupad Temple should also be visited in Gaya. Pind Daan in Gaya is a ritual conducted by the Hindus, post the cremation of the deceased. The Hara energy massage must be experienced in the city. It senses and improves the functionality of various parts of the body. You can also opt for a Varanasi-Gaya short trip if you have time on your vacation.
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 top tourist spots in Gaya.
Places to shop in Gaya
The Kundan Bazaar, Bodhgaya Handicrafts, Tibetan Refugee Market and the Mahabodhi Bookshop are the best places to shop in Gaya. All religious books and mythological scripts are available here.
Best time to visit Gaya
September to January are the pilgrimage months in Gaya. People from all across India visit here. So, the best time to visit Gaya is during winters because the temperature is moderate.
Modes of transport in Gaya
The Bihar State Tourism Development (BSTD) has arranged good transport facilities in Gaya. There are arrangements for local buses and cabs in the city.
Weather in Gaya
As the city falls in the tropical region, the weather is mostly warm. The temperature reaches its maximum, i.e. 40°C in summers and goes as low as 6°C in winters. The annual average temperature is 26.5°C.
Airport in Gaya
The IATA Code of Gaya Airport is GAY. The airport here is Bodhgaya Airport. It is 12km away from the city.