Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage place in the world. Located in the state of Bihar, it's here that Lord Buddha became enlightened during intense meditation under a Bodhi tree. The exact spot is now marked by the sprawling Mahabodhi Temple complex. It's a very serene and peaceful place. Monks from all over the world can be found sitting at the foot of an enormous carved Buddha statue, reading holy scriptures in deep contemplation. The town is also home to dozens of Buddhist monasteries, maintained by various Buddhist countries.
Getting to Bodhgaya:
Gaya airport, 12 kilometers (7 miles) away, has infrequent direct flights from Kolkata. If you're coming from other major Indian cities, the nearest airport is in Patna, 140 kilometers (87 miles) away. Alternatively, Bodhgaya can be conveniently reached by train. The nearest railway station is Gaya, which is well connected with Patna, Varanasi, New Delhi, Kolkata, Puri, and other places in Bihar.

If you're interested in visiting Bodgaya as part of a pilgrimage to other Buddhist sites in India, Indian Railways operates a special Mahaparinirvan Express Buddhist Tourist Train service.

When to Visit Bodhgaya:
The pilgrimage season starts in Bodhgaya from September, and reaches a peak in January. Ideally, the best time to visit weather wise is between November and February. You should avoid visiting in monsoon season between June and September. The weather gets quite oppressive, followed by heavy rains. Summers, from March to May, are very hot. However, Bodhgaya still attracts a large number of devotees during this time for Buddha Jayanti (Buddha's birthday) celebrations, held in May.
Bodhgaya Attractions:
The elaborately carved Mahabodhi Temple, Buddhism's holiest shrine, is the big attraction in Bodhgaya. The temple was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. It's open from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, with chanting and meditation held an hour after opening and an hour before closing. The other monasteries, built and maintained by various Buddhist countries, are also fascinating -- particularly the different architecture styles. Opening hours are from 5 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Bodhgaya also has an Archaeological Museum displaying an interesting array of relics, scriptures, and ancient statues of Buddha.
Bodhgaya Meditation and Buddhism Courses:
You'll find plenty of meditation and Buddhism courses and retreats on offer in Bodhgaya. The Root Institute for Wisdom Culture offers introductory and intermediate meditation and philosophy courses, explained in the Tibetian Mahayana tradition, from October to March. Those interested in Vipassana Meditation can learn it at the Dhamma Bodhi Vipassana Centre. Ten day residential retreats start on the 1st and 16th of every month. Some monasteries also offer various Buddhism courses.
Bodhgaya Festivals:
The biggest festival in Bodhgaya is Buddha Jayanti, held on a full moon in May each year. The festival celebrates Lord Buddha's birthday. Other festivals in Bodhgaya include the annual Buddha Mahotsava, a three day celebration filled with cultural and religious activities. The Kagyu Monlam Chenmo and Nyingma Monlam Chenmo prayer festivals for world peace are held around January-February every year. The Maha Kala puja is conducted at monasteries for several days before the new year, for purification and to remove obstacles.
Bodhgaya Side Trips:
A side trip to Rajgir, where Lord Buddha spent most of his life teaching his disciples, is recommended. It's located 75 kilometers (46 miles) from Bodgaya, and can be reached by bus or taxi. There you'll be able to visit Gridhakuta (also known as Vulture's Peak), where the Buddha used to meditate and preach in the rainy season. You can take the aerial chair lift up to the top, for great views. The hot springs, at the foot of Vaibhara Hill in Rajgir, are believed to have medicinal properties. It's possible to bathe in them, and there are separate areas for men and women.
Bodhgaya Travel Tips:
There are regular power cuts in Bodhgaya, so it's a good idea to carry a flashlight with you. Both vegetarian and non vegetarian food is available in Bodhgaya, and there's a wide range of cuisine from Thai to Continental. The inexpensive Om Restaurant is very popular with tourists and long term mediators. The tented restaurants are also interesting places to eat -- try the Original Pole Pole. Unfortunately, Bihar is India's poorest state, so expect to encounter plenty of beggars around the Mahabodhi Temple.
Bodhgaya Hotels:
A stay in one of Bodgaya's monasteries is a peaceful alternative to a hotel. One of the best options is the well maintained Bhutanese monastery (phone: 0631 2200710), which is extremely quiet and has rooms located in a beautiful garden. It's also possible to also stay at the Root Institute, which is well located near the Mahabodhi Temple. If you'd prefer to stay in a hotel, the Hotel Tathagat International is close to the Mahabodhi Temple, and is characterful and clean. A non air conditioned double costs around $35.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves

Astonishingly carved into hillside rock in the middle of nowhere are the Ajanta and Ellora caves. There are 34 caves at Ellora dating from between the 6th and 11th centuries AD, and 29 caves at Ajanta dating back to between the 2nd century BC and 6th century AD.
The caves at Ajanta are all Buddhist, while the caves at Ellora are a mixture of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves Location:

The caves are in northern Maharastra, around 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Mumbai.
Getting to the Ajanta and Ellora Caves:
The closest railway stations are in Aurangabad for the Ellora caves (45 minutes away) and Jalgaon for the Ajanta caves (1.5 hours away). There’s also an airport in Aurangabad. It’s possible to hire a car and drive between the two cave sites. Traveling time is around 2 hours.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves Opening Hours:

9am until sunset (around 5.30 p.m.). The Ajanta caves are closed on Mondays, and the Ellora caves are closed on Tuesdays. Both caves are open on national holidays. However, try to avoid visiting then as the crowds can be maddening and you won't have a peaceful experience.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves Cost:

Admission for foreigners is $US10 for the Ajanta caves. The Ellora caves are free to enter except for the magnificent open air Kailasa temple which charges $US 5. Children younger than 15 years are free at both places.
Ajanta and Ellora Festivals:
The four day Ellora Ajanta Festival is held at Soneri Mahal (Golden Palace), an historic 17th century architectural marvel in Aurangabad near Ellora, in the last week of November each year. The festival features some of the most distinguished singers and dancers of India.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves Travel Tips:

The most incredible thing about these caves is that they were crafted by hand, with only a hammer and chisel. While the Ajanta caves are rich in paintings and sculpture, the Ellora caves are renowned for their extraordinary architecture. You can get an excellent view and perspective of inside the Kailasa temple by climbing up the hill around it. Its immense size covers twice the area of the Pantheon in Athens and is one and a half times as high. Bring a torch with you to the Ajanta caves as many of them are quite dark and lighting is poor. The best time to visit is from November to March when it's cooler and dry.

Ajanta and Ellora Hotels:

The Hotel Kailas is located right opposite the Ellora caves. It's a relaxing, tranquil place with stone walls and a scenic landscape. Rates are 900 rupees ($20) for a hostel room, 1500 rupees ($35) for a cottage, and 2000 rupees ($50) for a cottage facing the caves. The hotel has plenty of amenities for guests including a restaurant, internet access, a library and games. You can also go paragliding. Quality accommodations at Ajanta are limited so if you need to stay in the area, it's best to head to the Maharastra Tourism Development Corporation's Holiday Resort in nearby Fardapur. Phone: 02438-244230.

Khajuraho Temples

If you want proof that the Kama Sutra originated in India, Khajuraho is the place to see. Erotica abounds here with over 20 temples devoted to sexuality and sex. These sandstone temples, which date back to the 10th and 11th century, are the only ones remaining out of 85 temples constructed during this time.
There are 3 groups of temples -- Western, Eastern, and Southern. The main temples are in the Western group, which features the magnificent Kandariya Mahadeo Temple. The Eastern Group contains a number of exquisitely sculptured Jain temples. There are only two temples in the Southern group.

Khajuraho Location:
Khajuraho is in northern Madhya Pradesh, approximately 620 kilometers (385 miles) south east of Delhi.
Getting to Khajuraho:
Khajuraho is most easily reached by flight, or alternatively the new Khajuraho-Jhansi Link Express train service. The daily service covers the distance between Khajuraho and Jhansi in around four and half hours. Train 229A leaves Jhansi daily at 7.25 a.m. and arrives in Khajuraho at 12.10 p.m. Coming back, train 230A departs from Khajuraho at 12.30 p.m. and reaches Jhansi at 5 p.m. Avoid traveling to Khajuraho by road if possible. It's a very bumpy five to six hour drive from Jhansi. The bus can be particularly arduous, so hiring a car is a better option under the circumstances.
Khajuraho Opening Times:
The temples are open from sunrise until just before sunset.
Khajuraho Cost:
There is an admission cost of $US 5 for the western group of temples. The others are free. Children younger than 15 years are also free.
Khajuraho Festivals:
A week long classical dance festival is held in Khajuraho at the Chitragupta Temple complex each year, in late February/early March. The festival attracts performers and dance groups from all over India. It offers a captivating way of seeing the various classical styles of Indian dance, including Kathak, Bharat Natyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Kathakali. A large arts and crafts fair is also held during the festival.
Khajuraho Travel Tips:
Although Khajuraho is a little out of the way, don’t decide to give it a miss on this basis. No where else will you find such unique temples with meticulously detailed carvings. The temples are best known for their erotic sculptures. However, more than that, they show a celebration of love, life and worship. They also provide an uninhibited peek into ancient Hindu faith and Tantric practices. If you need another reason to visit, only half an hour away is the added attraction of the dense, wildlife filled jungle of Panna National Park. The best time to visit is during the cooler months from November to March.
Khajuraho Hotels:
There are plenty of places to stay in Khajuraho from cheap to luxury. Many are conveniently located close to the temples. Here are the 5 Best Khajuraho Hotels for All Budgets.

Taj Mahal Story

Male Protagonist: Shah Jahan (Prince Khurram)
Female Protagonist: Mumtaz Mahal (Arjumand Banu Begum)

Shah Jahan met Mumtaz Mahal and fell in love. He married her after five years and they were leading a very happy life. While giving birth to their last child, Mumtaz Mahal died due to some complications. A few years later Shah Jahan built the world's most beautiful monument "Taj Mahal" in the memory of his wife.

One of the wonders of the world "Taj Mahal" has a beautiful love story behind its construction. Taj Mahal love story is about Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan, initially named Prince Khurram, took birth in the year 1592. The son of Jehangir, the fourth Mughal emperor of India, he fell in love in Arjumand Banu Begum at first time. At that time he was 14 years old and she, a Muslim Persian princess, was 15. After meeting her, Shah Jahan went back to his father and declared that he wanted to marry her. Read on to know more about the love story behind Taj Mahal of Agra…

The match got solemnized after five years i.e., in the year 1612. Shah Jahan became the Emperor in the year 1628 and entrusted Arjumand Banu with the royal seal. He also bestowed her with the tile of Mumtaz Mahal, meaning the "Jewel of the Palace". Though Shah Jahan had other wives also, but, Mumtaz Mahal was his favorite and accompanied him everywhere, even on military campaigns. In the year 1631, when Mumtaz Mahal was giving birth to their 14th child, she died due to some complications.

It is said that Shah Mahal was so heartbroken after her death that he ordered the court into morning for two years. Some time after her death, Shah Jahan undertook the task of erecting the world's most beautiful monument in the memory of his beloved. It took 22 years and the labor of 22,000 workers to construct the monument, which is also said to be the last wish of Mumtaz Mahal. This magnificent monument came to be known as "Taj Mahal" and now counts amongst the Seven Wonders of the World.

This is the true story of the Taj Mahal of India, which has mesmerized many people with its bewitching beauty.

History of Taj Mahal
The history of the Taj Mahal tells us "why was the Taj Mahal built" and many other myths and facts associated with this wonderful structure. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan erected the Taj Mahal in the memory of his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Shah Jahan (then Prince Khurram) met Mumtaz Mahal (then Arjumand Banu Begum) at the age of fourteen and fell in love at the first sight. She was a Muslim Persian princess and Shah Jahan was the son of the Mughal Emperor, Jehangir. Five years later, in 1612, they got married. As you read further you will come to know more about the history of the Taj Mahal at Agra…

Mumtaz Mahal, an inseparable companion of Shah Jahan, died in 1631, while giving birth to their 14th child. It is believed that during her last moments, Mumtaz Mahal obtained a promise from Shah Jahan that he will build world's most beautiful monument in her memory. But this has not been proven to be true, till date. However, Shah Jahan did indeed build a magnificent monument as a tribute to her wife, which we today know as the "Taj Mahal". Shah Jahan, himself also, lies entombed in this mausoleum along with his wife.

The construction of Taj Mahal started in the year 1631 and it took approximately 22 years to build it. An epitome of love, it made use of the services of 22,000 laborers and 1,000 elephants. It was built entirely out of white marble, which was brought in from all over India and central Asia. After an expenditure of approximately 32 million rupees (approx US $68000), Taj Mahal was finally completed in the year 1653. However, the history of Taj Mahal of India still has some gaps. For example, there are many theories regarding the architect of this magnificent monument.