Under a Bhodi Tree

---

Our spiritual journey continued on to Bodh Gaya, a sacred city in the state of Bihar and throughout the Buddhist world. It is where Buddha meditated under a bhodi tree until he reached Enlightenment. Buddha took three days and three nights to reach it; we tried unsuccessfully for two days. Perhaps it was the rain.

---

Photos

Tree of Enlightenment
Buddha actually spent three days and three nights here.

Mahobadhi Temple
This temple is the main temple complex of Bodh Gaya and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Thai Monastery
Most East Asian countries have a monastery (in their own unique style of architecture) that you can visit here.

Royal Bhutanese Temple
We had hoped to spend the night here (seriously) but a group of pilgrims had just arrived so we got bumped.

Devoted Pilgrims
Monks and devotees from all over the world make their way to Bodh Gaya, especially between November and January when the Dalai Lama and many other Buddhist monks living in the Himalaya come to Bodh Gaya to escape the cold.

Praying through rain or shine
The bright colours you see on the prayer mats are actually plastic rain covers the monks, pilgrims and devotees use to cover their mats when not in use. Early morning and early evening is the most common prayer time although people come throughout the day.