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Introduction 
In 528 BC Prince Siddhartha
Gautama came here in search of truth. After seeing sorrow, misery,
pain and death he decided to probe into their causes and find out
means of overcoming their occurrences. He renounced the life of a
prince and traveled from place to place until finally attaining
enlightenment by meditation under the Bodhi Tree (peepul tree). It
is also famous for its Mahabodhi Temple and is reckoned as the most
important Buddhist pilgrimage centre.
History
Bodhgaya, 14
km south of Gaya; is the most famous Buddhist pilgrimage center in
the world.
The region around Bodhgaya formed the part of the first small
kingdoms of India in the 7th century BC. It is the place where is
the place where Gautam Buddha entered into meditation after being
moved by the sufferings of mankind. After gaining Enlightenment,
Gautam became Buddha and spread his message of love and peace to th
whole world. To mark the spot where Gautam Buddha had attained
Enlightenment, the great Mauryan ruler King Ashoka built a small
shrine here in the 3rd century BC. After that the subsequent rulers
left their mark on this shrine, which finally took the shape of the
Mahabodhi temple that is still there.
Festival
The festivals which are celebrated in
bodhgaya are :- Buddha Jayanti:- This
festival is celebrated on a full moon day in April/May as Buddha's
birth anniversary as well as enlightenment. On this occasion
devotees come from all over the world.
Nyingma Monlam Chenmo :- This
festival held in January-February for about three weeks, this
festival is celebrated for world peace often attended by the Dalai
Lama as well.
Best Season
The
pilgrimage season starts in September but the best time to
visit Bodhgaya is between November to February when the
climate is comfortable.
Travel
Links for Bodhgaya
News
Papers Links For Boghgaya
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