| Many of us have traveled extensively but have at the | | | | finally became enlightened about the meaning of life. |
| end of our travels come away feeling less than | | | | This part of the world where Lord Buddha became |
| satisfied which is why it makes sense to find out a little | | | | enlightened has become the home of a giant complex |
| bit more about how spiritual travel can provide that | | | | called the Mahabodhi Temple. |
| feeling of fulfillment. If you have had your fill of | | | | This is truly an exceptional place where the |
| cathedrals from the Gothic era and the sight of | | | | surroundings are perfectly serene and where |
| another Madonna does not uplift your spirits then you | | | | everything is truly peaceful. Here, monks from different |
| need to find an alternative solution which can take the | | | | parts of the world sit under a huge carved Lord |
| form of traveling to find spiritual solace. | | | | Buddha statue. They spend their time here reading |
| Spiritual travel is more than a catch phrase meant to | | | | from the Holy Scriptures and spend their time in deep |
| make you seek some far off destination. As a matter | | | | and thoughtful contemplation. |
| of fact, traveling for spiritual reasons is not new | | | | Bodhgaya is really the true home of different Buddhist |
| because from the very earliest times in our history | | | | monasteries that in turn are maintained by some |
| people have made pilgrimages. Traveling for religious | | | | Buddhist monks that have come here from their |
| purposes is not a new concept and as far back as in | | | | respective countries. For those people that wish to fly |
| the early 16th century Spanish nationals (Jesuits) used | | | | to Bodhgaya there is the close-by airport of Gaya that |
| to travel to places such as Brazil, Paraguay and | | | | is just seven miles from here. However, flights arrive |
| Argentina to build missions where natives would be | | | | here infrequently and whatever flights that do land |
| educated in the Christian religion. | | | | here are those that are coming from Kolkata. |
| Today, however if you want to travel to find spiritual | | | | To get the best out of your visit to Bodhgaya you |
| awakening there are as many different options | | | | need to plan your travel during the months November |
| available to you can imagine and these options provide | | | | until February. You should also avoid coming here |
| you with a chance to visit places other than the | | | | during June up till September which is when the rains |
| Vatican and Yucatan and Egypt. If you wish to enjoy | | | | lash Bodhgaya and make it hard to do any |
| solitary spiritual upliftment then it pays to take in a few | | | | contemplation. |
| idyllic places such as Buddhist monasteries that are | | | | If you want a truly uplifting spiritual travel experience |
| mostly situated in Asia with a few also located in the | | | | then visiting Bodhgaya should be at the top of your list |
| USA and in Europe. | | | | of travel priorities. You should time your travel for the |
| To get the true Buddhist spiritual experience you will | | | | months November through February while the worst |
| want to choose Bodhgaya as your destination. This is | | | | time to come here is June through September which is |
| a place that is part of the Indian state of Bihar and it is | | | | the monsoon season in this part of India. |
| here that Lord Buddha sat under a Bodhi tree and | | | | |