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Gaya turning into a favourite tourist destination
by Surya Pratap Singh

      Gaya: Gaya, the famed city in Bihar, is emerging as the new destination for both domestic and international tourists, a majority of them being pilgrims. With the airport being developed and upgraded to handle international flights, Gaya is expected to boost its revenue from tourism sector very soon. The city is turning into one of the favourite spots for international tourists. While majority of the tourists arriving here belong to Thailand and Sri Lanka, there is a gradual rise in the number of visitors, with tourists from as far as Australia, America and Japan visiting the place in the recent times. "A lot of tourists have come here. All the facilities are here already. This is the place of Lord Buddha. Presently we have tourists from Thailand, Sri Lanka, America, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia. But we have more tourists from Sri Lanka and Thailand," said Shiraj Ahmed, a tour operator. Many new hotels have also come up in and around Gaya to accommodate maximum number of tourists suiting almost everyone's budget. "In Bodhgaya, there is accommodation is available for everyone. Tourists can get an accommodation in any kind of budget," said Virendra Singh, Manager, Hotel Royal Residency. Gaya's proximity to Bodhgaya, a place where Prince Gautama got enlightened under a banyan tree (Bodhi tree), is also drawing many international visitors. Bodhgaya is believed as one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage centres. While the magnificent Mahabodhi temple and the tree from the original sapling is still standing in the temple premises, the temple represents an architectural amalgamation of many centuries, cultures and legacies of heritage. "Gaya is known as the land of Lord Buddha. So, people do visit Bodhgaya. But people also make it to Gaya for its natural beauty," said Swami Raghavacharya. A relatively calm place, it has gained attention of a lot of tourists. "It is a nice city. Very calm and peaceful," added Yohana, a tourist.

      The Mahabodhi Temple complex is one of the four holy sites related to the life of the Lord Buddha, and particularly to the attainment of his enlightenment. Emperor Asoka built the first temple in the 3rd century B.C., and the present temple dates from the 5th or 6th centuries. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples built entirely in brick, still standing since the Gupta period. Located 100 kms from Patna, Gaya city also holds a great significance to Hindus. Gaya is also visited by a lot of Hindus to complete the last rites with "Pind Daan" for their deceased family members after one year of his or her death. As per Hindu tradition, a person belonging to Hindu religion visits Gaya after one year of death or bereavement in his family Pind Daan (or, last offering to the dead). The rituals are performed at Lord Bishnu Pad Padma and other sacred places in Gaya.
-Sept 4,  2006

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