Bodh Gaya : Bodh Gaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centre in the world. Apart from being an important archaeological site, it is also a vital Buddhist centre. It is the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. Bodh Gaya is 13 km from Gaya, which is 100 km from Patna, the capital of Bihar. Devout Buddhists and tourists all over the
world visit Bodh Gaya to study Buddhism and the art of meditation or to simply absorb the aura of solemn grandeur that surrounds the place.

Bodh Gaya is a quiet and peaceful place. The focal point of Bodh Gaya is the Mahabodhi tree. A 50 mtere high pyramidal spire crowns the Mahabodhi temple, inside of which is a larged gilded image of Buddha. The temple is believed to be standing on the site of a shrine erected by Emperor Ashoka in the third century BC. The Bodhi tree growing here is
believed to be the direct descendant of the original tree, under which the Buddha sat, meditated and attained enlightenment. The red sandstone under the tree is said to be the Vajrasan or diamond throne, which the Buddha sat on. The archaeological museum houses a small collection of figurines of the Buddha and pillars that were discovered from the area.