GAYA -THE MOST VISITED HOLY PLACE IN INDIA

Buddha Mahotsava

2011-09-28T02:38:00.000-07:00

For centuries Bodhgaya has been the pilgrimage center for Buddhists. Buddhism has flourished from this ancient city and spread throughout the world. Buddhism can be explored through its beautiful monasteries, sculpture, paintings and its colorful festivals. One such festival is Buddha Mahotsava, Bodhgaya. The places of Bodhgaya, Rajgir, and Sarnath are important places connected with Buddhism since they are associated with the life of Gautam Buddha. In 1998 to promote religious and cultural tourism, the Ministry of Tourism of the Indian government along with the governments of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh launched the annual festival Buddha Mahotsava, Bodhgaya.

Though it is celebrated at Bodhgaya but other places are also part of the festival. The first Buddha Mahotsava took place in 1998.The reason for celebrating at Bodhgaya for the first time was to celebrate its status as a World Heritage Site. You can see colorful procession with chanting of the hymns. The festival includes heritage show on tribes, jewellery and costumes, fireworks' shows, flower shows, and exhibitions. Buddha Mahotsava, Bodhgaya also has different cultural troupes from the north-eastern states as well as from other countries. During the festival in 1999 the national museum in Patna brought relics of the Buddha.

One can reflect on the message of peace and non -violence, compassion by participating in the traditional worshipping to world peace prayer, offering alms to the monks from different countries. There is also an apparel show with five colors of white, blue, green, red and yellow with the theme of Buddhism.
Along with visiting the Buddha Mahotsava, Bodhgaya you can also visit the footprints of Buddha. Another beautiful place to take a break from the Mahotasava is to spend some peaceful time at the Meditation Park. It has peaceful spots with small meditation huts, congregational halls and wide pavilions. Buddha Mahotsava is also celebrated in the state of Uttar Pradesh in December in many cities. So, don't miss this colorful festival when you come here.
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2011-09-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

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GAYA -THE MOST VISITED HOLY PLACE IN INDIA: GAYA - THE ONLY PLACE FOR GETTING PEACE IN LIFE

2011-09-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

GAYA -THE MOST VISITED HOLY PLACE IN INDIA: GAYA - THE ONLY PLACE FOR GETTING PEACE IN LIFE: Gaya (Hindi: गया ) is the second largest city of Bihar, India.Gaya is 100 kilometers south of Patna, the capital city of Bihar. Situated ...

GAYA - THE ONLY PLACE FOR GETTING PEACE IN LIFE

2011-09-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

Gaya (Hindi: गया) is the second largest city of Bihar, India.Gaya is 100 kilometers south of Patna, the capital city of Bihar. Situated on the banks of Falgu River.

Gaya derives its name from the mythological demon Gayasur . Lord Vishnu killed Gayasur, the holy demon by using the pressure of his foot over him. This incident transformed Gayasur into the series of rocky hills that make up the landscape of the Gaya city. Gaya was so holy that he had the power to absolve the sins of those who touched him or looked at him; after his death many people have flocked to Gaya to perform Shraddha sacrifices on his body to absolve the sins of their ancestors. Gods and goddesses had promised to live on Gayasur's body after he died, and the hilltop protuberances of Gaya are surmounted by temples to various gods and goddesses. These hilltop temples at Rama Shila, Mangla Gauri, Shringa Sthan and Brahmayoni are part of the pilgrimage circuit, and grand staircases have been built up to most of them.

HOLY SITES IN GAYA :
Vishnupad Temple, Mangla Gauri shrine, Mahabodhi Temple-Bodh Gaya., Brahmayoni hill, Akshayawat, Ghats and Temples line the banks of the sacred Falgu River.

Gaya is significant to Hindus from the point of view of salvation to the souls of ancestors (a ritual called pinda daan). According to Ramayana, when Lord RAMA came to Gaya along with Sita for pitripaksha (or to perform pindadanam), Sita cursed the Falgu River following some disobedience on the part of the river. Ramayana states that on account of this curse, Falgu River lost its water, and the river is simply a vast stretch of sand dunes. At the same time Sita blessed a banyan tree to be immortal. This tree is known as Akshyavat. Akshyavat is combination of two words Akshya (which never decay) and Vat (Banyan tree). Once a year banyan trees shed leaves, but this particular tree never sheds its leaves which keeps it green even in times of drought.

Footprint of LORD VISHNU AT Vishnu pad Temple

Golden statue of Lord Buddha in Mahabodhi Temple

The Mahaboddhi Temple

Lord Buddha's biggest Statue

Vishnu Pad Temple from outside


vishnu pad temple outside scenario

For Buddhists, Gaya is an important pilgrimage place because it was at Brahmayoni hill that Buddha preached the Fire Sermon (Adittapariyaya Sutta) to a thousand former fire-worshipping ascetics, who all became enlightened while listening to this discourse. At that time, the hill was called Gayasisa.

From Buddhists, point of view, it is the most religious palce for them.

Any one can connect themselves by any means either it is Airways, Roadways, Railways.
There is also facility of direct flights from Sri Lanka, Bankok, Thailand, Singapore.

Gaya is also famous for its famous delicious Snacks, Sweets-especially for its famous TILKUT (made from sesame seeds) and also for its spicy typical foods.

Thanks for Visiting.....