Bodhi Tree
Bodhi Tree
5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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5.0
528 reviews
Excellent
437
Very good
79
Average
11
Poor
0
Terrible
1
Ellen S
New York City, NY33 contributions
Jan 2023
The tree you need to see if you are in Bodhgaya. Siddhartha Gautama, aka Shakyamuni Buddha, attained realization under an earlier growth of this tree more than 2500 years ago. A worldwide pilgrimage site. Well maintained, well protected. A must-see.
Written January 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Satish J
Amman, Jordan264 contributions
While visiting Maha Boddhi Mandir at Bodhgaya seen this Bodhi tree behind the temple. Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under this Peepal tree, after this the place becomes a magnet for tourists all over the world.
Written September 26, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ganesh M
Pune, India60 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
I was there with my wife in March 2015.
Even if you would have read about the place in internet,its highly possible that the place will take you by surprise.
It is a experience of lifetime, seeing the place and things what we read in our history books.
The city is not well maintained, but since its a tourist place we wouldn't notice much. There are temples for built for Buddha by India (the main temple), Thailand, Bangladesh, China and many more..... I counted at-least close to 10 different temples of various countries. The temples are actually built and maintained by the respective countries.
The things to look out for:
1. Plan the visit for at-least 2 to 3 days.
2. Take time to visit each temple
3. Visit the Indian temple during evening to witness the different sect people offering their prayers.
4. Don't miss the pond with so many large fishes.
5. There are free counters for luggage and mobiles and footwear.
6. Ofcourse the tree under which Buddha got enlightened
Overall a wonderful place to visit and witness it.
Even if you would have read about the place in internet,its highly possible that the place will take you by surprise.
It is a experience of lifetime, seeing the place and things what we read in our history books.
The city is not well maintained, but since its a tourist place we wouldn't notice much. There are temples for built for Buddha by India (the main temple), Thailand, Bangladesh, China and many more..... I counted at-least close to 10 different temples of various countries. The temples are actually built and maintained by the respective countries.
The things to look out for:
1. Plan the visit for at-least 2 to 3 days.
2. Take time to visit each temple
3. Visit the Indian temple during evening to witness the different sect people offering their prayers.
4. Don't miss the pond with so many large fishes.
5. There are free counters for luggage and mobiles and footwear.
6. Ofcourse the tree under which Buddha got enlightened
Overall a wonderful place to visit and witness it.
Written April 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DKD
Downingtown, PA195 contributions
Jan 2013 • Family
The place has some energy stored and you can feel that when you meditate below the tree. The tree is ancient and saved by some good efforts. Dhyana under it gives a good feel.
Written September 28, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TazHugs
Laurencekirk, United Kingdom66 contributions
Apr 2013 • Friends
We were lucky enough to be given a tour by a trainee monk and then sit in the peace of the gardens with several monks. As the only two white people the constant attention in India was exhausting. It was so nice to be sat in peace with the monks in such a special place. They gave us each a leaf from the tree when we left.
Written June 24, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David B
Palm Bay, FL1,160 contributions
Dec 2014 • Solo
I am not a Buddhist yet I could feel that this was a very spiritually uplifting place. My soul was happy being here, I was filled with joy. I sort of got choked up, tears of joy came to my eyes. FYI, do not try to touch the tree.
Written April 24, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tshering choden s
Siliguri, India14 contributions
Feb 2016 • Family
This is the tree basically known as The Bodhi Tree and is known for its history that the Lord Buddha had meditated under this Bodhi Tree for years without food. And it is believed that Lord Buddha had got all the enlightenment under this tree.
Written January 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karolina D
Krakow, Poland21 contributions
Mar 2014 • Friends
A place that changes you. It has very strong vibe, a good one, full of peace and positive attitude. No matter how long you're staying there, it's always not enough. It makes you wanna come back and spend there a little more time.
Amazing experience.
Amazing experience.
Written February 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IreneSah
Singapore, Singapore165 contributions
Sep 2013 • Friends
Visit this sacred Temple and do the MUST DO - Sit under ( or at least near ) the Bodhi Tree! Regardless of race, language and religion. Close your eyes, feel the peace surrounding you. It is an awesome feeling knowing Lord Buddha sit right at the same place as I do at this very moment.
Written August 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GAN L
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia8,774 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
I and my fammily were walking with the Buddha at Maha Bodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya.
We saw the enclosed bodhi tree where Buddha achieved Nirvana some 2500 years ago.
We went to all the seven locations and envisioned the 49 days after enlightenment of the Buddha.
During the first week after enlightenment, the Buddha sat under the bodhi tree experiencing the happiness of freedom and peace. He was free from disturbing thoughts, calm and blissful.
During the second week, in thanks and gratitude to the tree that had sheltered him during his struggle for Buddhahood, the Buddha stood without moving his eyes as he meditated on the bodhi tree.
In the third week, the Buddha saw through his mind’s eye that the devas in the heavens were not sure whether he had attained enlightenment or not. To prove his enlightenment the Buddha created a golden bridge in the air and walked up and down it for a whole week.
In the fourth week, he created a beautiful jewelled chamber and sitting inside it meditated on what was later known as the "Detailed Teaching" (Abhidhamma). His mind and body were so purified that six coloured rays came out of his body — blue, yellow, red, white, orange and a mixture of these five. Today these six colours make up the Buddhist flag. Each colour represented one noble quality of the Buddha: yellow for holiness, white for purity, blue for confidence, red for wisdom and orange for desirelessness. The mixed colour represented all these noble qualities.
During the fifth week, while meditating under a banyan tree, three most charming girls called Tanha, Rati and Raga came to disturb his meditation. They danced in a most seductive and charming manner and did everything to tempt the Buddha to watch their dance. Yet he continued to meditate unperturbed, and soon they tired and left him alone.
The Buddha then went and meditated at the foot of a mucalinda tree. It began to rain heavily and a huge king cobra came out and coiled his body seven times around the Buddha to keep him warm and placed his hood over the Buddha’s head to protect him from the rain. After seven days the rain stopped and the snake changed into a young man who paid his respects to the Buddha.
During the seventh week, the Buddha meditated under the rajayatana tree. On the fiftieth morning, after seven weeks of fasting, two merchants came into his presence. They were called Tapussa and Bhallika. They offered the Buddha rice cakes and honey to break his fast and the Buddha told them some of what he had found in his enlightenment.
These two merchants, by taking refuge in the Buddha and his Dharma (translated as "teachings of the Buddha"), became the first lay followers. There was no Sangha (order of monks and nuns) then. They asked the Buddha for something sacred to keep with them. The Buddha wiped his head with his right hand and pulled out some hair to give to them. These hair relics, called Kesa Datu, were later reputed to be enshrined by the merchants on their return home to what is now known as Burma, in the Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon.
We saw the enclosed bodhi tree where Buddha achieved Nirvana some 2500 years ago.
We went to all the seven locations and envisioned the 49 days after enlightenment of the Buddha.
During the first week after enlightenment, the Buddha sat under the bodhi tree experiencing the happiness of freedom and peace. He was free from disturbing thoughts, calm and blissful.
During the second week, in thanks and gratitude to the tree that had sheltered him during his struggle for Buddhahood, the Buddha stood without moving his eyes as he meditated on the bodhi tree.
In the third week, the Buddha saw through his mind’s eye that the devas in the heavens were not sure whether he had attained enlightenment or not. To prove his enlightenment the Buddha created a golden bridge in the air and walked up and down it for a whole week.
In the fourth week, he created a beautiful jewelled chamber and sitting inside it meditated on what was later known as the "Detailed Teaching" (Abhidhamma). His mind and body were so purified that six coloured rays came out of his body — blue, yellow, red, white, orange and a mixture of these five. Today these six colours make up the Buddhist flag. Each colour represented one noble quality of the Buddha: yellow for holiness, white for purity, blue for confidence, red for wisdom and orange for desirelessness. The mixed colour represented all these noble qualities.
During the fifth week, while meditating under a banyan tree, three most charming girls called Tanha, Rati and Raga came to disturb his meditation. They danced in a most seductive and charming manner and did everything to tempt the Buddha to watch their dance. Yet he continued to meditate unperturbed, and soon they tired and left him alone.
The Buddha then went and meditated at the foot of a mucalinda tree. It began to rain heavily and a huge king cobra came out and coiled his body seven times around the Buddha to keep him warm and placed his hood over the Buddha’s head to protect him from the rain. After seven days the rain stopped and the snake changed into a young man who paid his respects to the Buddha.
During the seventh week, the Buddha meditated under the rajayatana tree. On the fiftieth morning, after seven weeks of fasting, two merchants came into his presence. They were called Tapussa and Bhallika. They offered the Buddha rice cakes and honey to break his fast and the Buddha told them some of what he had found in his enlightenment.
These two merchants, by taking refuge in the Buddha and his Dharma (translated as "teachings of the Buddha"), became the first lay followers. There was no Sangha (order of monks and nuns) then. They asked the Buddha for something sacred to keep with them. The Buddha wiped his head with his right hand and pulled out some hair to give to them. These hair relics, called Kesa Datu, were later reputed to be enshrined by the merchants on their return home to what is now known as Burma, in the Shwedagon Pagoda in Rangoon.
Written August 15, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Surya Katakam
Hyderabad, India1,935 contributions
My parents are visiting Varanasi this.
1. Can someone suggest good plan for them.
2. How much distance Bodh Gaya from Varanasi and how to reach there
3. Any other near by locations which one must see
sssdgn
Jaipur, India987 contributions
in varanasi Kashi vishwanath Temple is good to visit in morning though you can go all time in day or in evening also,ganga Ghats are good to visit in evening and ganga aarti is a daily event start at 7 30 pm better to see seating in a boat,saranath is a very good site to visit about 10 kms from varanasi,they may visit market too,Bodhagaya is about 260 kms from varanasi ,trains are available from varanasi junction and Mughal Sarai railway station for Gaya ,Gaya and Bodhgaya are adjacent and in between distance is about 15 kms ,at Bodhgaya Mahabodhi Temple,Bodhi Tree,great budhha statue and temples of some other countries like Thailand,Japan etc are to see,at Gaya Vishnu Pad temple is a famous temple,one should stay at Bodhgaya it is very good and clean place to stay ,if your parents have time than they should visit Rajgir and Nalanda about 60 to 70 kms from Gaya-thanks-
soothaikoid90
Penang Island, Malaysia
I would like to know how to give offerings & how do I say my prayer. What are there dos & don'ts? I will be there this coming month, will stay for 5 days. In one day how many times do I have to pray. & for how long?
debabrata707
Kolkata (Calcutta), India661 contributions
There is some restrictions to enter with belongings like enter with mobile phone or wearing shoes inside.You can take camera but entering with it is chargeable.There is no time for preying beneath the tree.You can do as much as you wish.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Bodhi Tree
- According to Tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience Bodhi Tree:
- 2 Days Enlightening Bodhgaya Tour from Varanasi (From $180.00)
- Grand Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour (12 Days) (From $1,865.00)
- Two Days Cultural Tour of Bodhgaya from Varanasi (From $170.00)
- 3 Days Enlightening tour to Bodhgaya, Rajgir and Nalanda (From $360.00)
- Kolkata, Bodhgaya & Varanasi Tour (7 Days) (From $973.00)
- Hotels near Bodhi Tree:
- (0.01 mi) Thupwang Boutique Homestay
- (0.04 mi) Roshni Guest House
- (0.10 mi) Hotel Tathagat
- (0.09 mi) Hotel Mahamaya
- (0.10 mi) Hotel Vishal International
- Restaurants near Bodhi Tree:
- (0.02 mi) Bodhgaya Kitchen
- (0.09 mi) Mahamaya restaurant
- (0.14 mi) Baba Family Restaurant
- (0.14 mi) Nirvana Garden Cafe & Restaurant
- (0.24 mi) Be Happy Cafe
Bodhi Tree Information
Excellent Reviews | 437 |
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Very Good Reviews | 79 |
Bodhi Tree Photos | 165 |