By Amrita Das.
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I took the longer road to Bodhgaya. Flew inwards to Patna, drove for four hours through thick wintertime fog as well as in conclusion reached the sleepy town of Bodhgaya. When I stepped out for a brusque walk inwards the morning, I constitute myself confused. Had I reached Tibet instead of Bihar?
Bodhgaya attracts many Buddhists from dissimilar parts of the world. The Mahabodhi Temple is believed to live the house of Gautam Buddha's enlightenment, making it a sacred pilgrimage finish for his followers. And inwards a house which is brimming amongst the calming vibe of Buddhism, it is almost impossible non to experience affected deep within.
1. MEET BODHGAYA AT THE MAHABODHI TEMPLE
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| First glimpse of the Mahabodhi Temple. |
On my kickoff visit, I merely familiarized myself amongst the temple’s premises. But it was my minute trip that I spent hours soaking it all in. I walked around, lit a light inwards the Butter Lamp House, barbarous inwards beloved amongst the Bodhi Tree, met followers who explained to me the significance of this place, as well as sat passively spell hundreds of Buddhists chanted inwards synchronized melody. The chants from the temple operate on to echo inwards my mind.
2. FIND YOURSELF IN DEEP MEDITATION
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| Monks at the Mahabodhi temple. |
The meditation common inwards Mahabodhi Temple is solely for serious spiritual seekers. It is opened upwardly from sunrise to sunset as well as allows visitors to meditate amongst a minimal entry fee. There was something serene nearly this place. Amongst ii huge bells, greenish grass as well as the echoed chants, inwards no fourth dimension I constitute myself somewhere inwards my subconscious mind.
3. BE AWED BY THE GIANT BUDDHA
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| The Great Buddha Statue. |
4. DRIVE TO THE RUINS OF NALANDA UNIVERSITY
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| Ruins of the dormitories, amongst infinite to slumber as well as maintain books inwards the corners. |
Believed to live ane of the kickoff centres of learning inwards the world, Nalanda University inwards Rajgir spreads over fourteen hectares. It is located exactly about 100 kms away from Bodhgaya. Historical studies demo that Nalanda University rose to prominence inwards the fifth Century AD, as well as survived through iii dynasties, including Harshavardhan's, the Buddhist emperor. It is also the house where Hiuen Tsang (Xuanzang), the Chinese Buddhist monk as well as traveller stayed for twelve years.
The ruins demo how carefully the academy was planned, amongst the monasteries as well as temples on either sides. The monasteries comprise halls where lectures were conducted, as well as dormitories for monks to slumber as well as study. Temple set out 3, on the other side, is the most prominent, amongst iii flights of stairs depicting the iii out of 7 phases inwards which it was constructed. The shrines as well as stupas about it tin give the axe also live seen clearly.
5. SHOP FOR EVERYTHING TIBETAN
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| A typical street scene. |
Everything inwards Bodhgaya is tailored for travellers from diverse parts of Asia. This is smashing tidings for anyone who wants to purchase Tibetan artefacts as well as silverish jewellery. Most Indian travellers adore the diverse antique items that sprawl across the streets. From locks to clocks to skillful omen charms, everything tin give the axe live constitute here. For to a greater extent than personalised things such as clothes, shoes as well as backpacks, the Tibetan flea markets are ideal. Under ane roof, these markets are a compilation of stalls where a set out of affordable as well as actually chic garments tin give the axe live purchased. Don’t forget to grin as well as bargain!
6. SAMPLE DELICIOUS MOMOS
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| Fragile displays of butter lamps about the Mahabodhi Temple. |
The most pop of all Tibetan dishes are the yummy momos. Those served past times the small-scale nutrient stalls contrary the Mahabodhi Temple are delicious. After some deep meditation, in that location is ever fourth dimension for soul food.
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AUTHOR BIO: Perpetually bitten past times the go bug, Amrita has travelled across xx states inwards India, as well as Nepal, Switzerland, Italia as well as Paris. She shares her experiences best through writing, photography as well as blogging. She engages inwards all types of outdoor adventure, explores the local agency of life, listens to stories strangers tell her, as well as is a theatre believer of serendipity as well as constant change. She tweets @Amrita_Dass and tin give the axe live reached at amritadas15@gmail.com.
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