An international centre for Buddhism, Bodh Gaya attracts pilgrims and tourists from all over the world, especially China, Japan and Southeast Asia. It is considered as the holiest spot for Buddhist as it was here that Gautama Buddha meditated and attained enlightenment. The bodhi tree under which he sat, is still believed to be flourishing there. Apart from the original temple, there are many modern temples, Buddha statues, and ashrams and guesthouses for pilgrims set up by other Buddhist countries.

The Mahabodhi temple is the main attraction of the place. It has undergone several stages of building and re-construction. Originally it began as a simple stupa set up the Mauryan king Ashoka in the 3^rd century BC. In the 7^th century AD it was built upon and an elaborate temple was made with carvings and spires. The temple was ravaged by Muslim invaders but was restored by Burmese Buddhists in the 14^th century. Again after years of neglect when it sank into the earth, it was excavated in the 19^th century and restored to its former glory.

NALANDA

Centuries before Oxford and Havard, India had one of the greatest residential universities at Nalanda, Bihar - one of the world's oldest centres of learning established by the Gupta kings, about 100 km south of Patna. You can see the sprawling remains of this enormous campus that was divided by a central walk from north to south, and was surrounded by gardens. The monasteries or 'viharas' were to the east, and the temples were to the west. All the structures were made of red brick, and were richly carved and decorated.

The highlights now are temples 3 - the largest and most imposing temple of Nalanda; and Temple 2 which has intricately carved stone panels. Near Temple 3 are the stupas with carvings of Buddha. The rows of 11 monasteries are spread across the campus, with the individual monk's cells around rectangular courtyards.