Meditation Retreat Season.

Going for this? Bodh Gaya in December

Getting there

Where to stay in Bodh Gaya

• Mahabodhi Hotel

  ₹500–2,000
  budget-hotel · Near Mahabodhi Temple

  Walking distance to the Bodhi Tree. Budget-friendly for meditation visitors.

• Root Institute

  ₹300–1,500
  meditation-retreat · Bodh Gaya

  Tibetan Buddhist meditation retreat center. Courses and accommodation.

All stays in Bodh Gaya →

Where to eat

• Tibet Om Cafe

  Legendary
  Tibetan Refugee Market, near Jayaprakash Narayan Park · ₹

  Signaturetingmo with thukpa

  Tiny — only 6-7 tables. During Tibetan pilgrim season (October-March, around the Dalai Lama's teachings) you'll wait. The Rs 150 Tibetan breakfast set (bread, butter tea, eggs) is the best-value entry.

• Nirvana The Veg Cafe

  Hotel Maya Heritage, Mastipur · ₹₹

  Signaturesouth indian thali

  Outsiders can dine without staying — the cafe sits off the main lobby. Order the South Indian section over the Indo-Chinese; the dosa kitchen is what got the rating.

• Siam Thai Restaurant

  Main Road · ₹₹

  Signaturethai green chicken curry

  The seafood section depends on Gaya supply; if the prawns are on the day's chalkboard, order them — otherwise stick to chicken and tofu preparations.

• Hari Om International Cafe

  Mahabodhi Temple Road · ₹

  Signatureveg thali

  The footfall doubles around Buddha Purnima and during Tibetan teachings. Order the banana lassi cold — a leftover from the 1990s backpacker era when this was the budget pilgrim circuit.

All eateries in Bodh Gaya →

What else to see in Bodh Gaya

• Mahabodhi Temple

  UNESCO World Heritage temple marking where Buddha attained enlightenment. Bodhi Tree descendant still stands.

  temple

  1-2 hours

• Dungeshwari Cave Temples (Sujata Temple)

  Cave where Buddha practiced extreme austerities before enlightenment. Sujata Stupa marks where he was offered rice milk.

  temple

  1-2 hours

• Bodhi Tree

  Direct descendant of the original tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment 2,500+ years ago.

  monument

  30 min

• Great Buddha Statue

  80-ft seated Buddha statue unveiled by the Dalai Lama. Surrounded by 10 smaller Buddhas in garden.

  monument

  30 min

• International Monasteries

  Monasteries from 25+ countries (Japan, Thailand, Bhutan, Nepal) each in their own architectural style.

  monastery

  2-3 hours

Other festivals in Bodh Gaya

• Buddha PurnimaMay (Vaishakha Purnima)

Other festivals in December, elsewhere

• Gita JayantiDecember (Ekadashi of Margashirsha)
• Winter Festival Mount AbuDecember 29-31
• Osian Camel Safari FestivalDecember (varies)
• Pinjore Heritage FestivalDecember (varies)
• Mussoorie Winterline CarnivalDecember (varies)
• Hornbill FestivalDec 1-10

See every festival in December →