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What to do and see in Gaya, Bihar: The Best Budget-friendly Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Gaya, India including Tibetan Monastery, Ratnaghara, Rajayatna Tree, Barabar Caves, Mangla Gauri Temple, Vishnupad Temple, Pind Daan Gaya, Dungeshwari Cave Temples, Gaya pind daan, Falgu River.
Restaurants in Gaya
1. Tibetan Monastery
2. Ratnaghara
3. Rajayatna Tree
4. Barabar Caves
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 25 reviews
The Barabar Hill Caves are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating from the Maurya Empire (322–185 BCE), some with Ashokan inscriptions, located in the Makhdumpur region of Jehanabad district, Bihar, India, 24 km (15 mi) north of Gaya
5. Mangla Gauri Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Reviewed By meghashyam - Chennai (Madras), India
Part of the hallowed Ashta dasa Shakthi peethams , Maa 's lotus feet can be worshipped here , the sanctum is atop a small hillock . The sanctum emanates a divine aura all around . Truly divine place .
6. Vishnupad Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 184 reviews
Reviewed By jaykodoth
Great visit. People from different parts of India visit the place for the after death rituals. But, beware of the priests out there. They will loot you in the name of god.
7. Pind Daan Gaya
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By bvkb2015 - Ashburn, United States
We (Three brothers) visited Andhra Telangana Bhawan in Gaya to perform annual ritual to our father and forefathers. We had a very friendly and a warm experience. G MANOHAR LAL – Current patron of Andhra & Telangana Bhawan Gaya, their family is in Gaya, and has been serving pilgrims across the nations especially from south India. When you visit Gaya, be aware of similar names, make sure you have the right address and contact prior to the travel. Manohar ji was very helpful for us, polite and respectful in guiding us with every step during the pind daan ritual as promised, cost was very reasonable and most importantly he could is a trust worthy person. highly recommend their service. They also provide rooms with a/c.
8. Dungeshwari Cave Temples
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By P5945TPjamesg - Mexico City, Mexico
We climbed the path on the hillside to the Mahakala caves (Dungeshwari cave). There are three caves. The central cave is where it is believed Siddhartha meditated.In this cave we offered candles, meditated and some made monetary donations. There is a statue of the emaciated Buddha in meditation posture. Another cave contains a golden Buddha. A statue of Hindu goddess ‘Dungeshwari' is also found in the cave temple.
9. Gaya pind daan
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 37 reviews
Reviewed By thippili
My husband and I, as well as my brother, performed pind daan for our ancestors here. We pre-booked with the Kanchi Mutt, where we were charged Rs.7500 per family, with meals free on the day of pind daan. This included the cost of Purohit and havan samagri. It does not include the cost of stay (which was Rs.1500 per night with 5 beds in one AC room) or any transportation (which is extra - about Rs.1000 each for pick up and drop to/fro airport and about Rs.100 to and fro Vishnupad temple). All meals on other days (other than the day of pind daan) are extra and cost about Rs.200 per person per day. Needless to say, the purohit and guides demand extra voluntary donations, so do please carry some Rs.50/100 notes. Otherwise you will end up spending a lot. Apart from this, we made a voluntary donation to the mutt in kind, given that the arrangements were very good. You also need to carry a large amount of coins/notes in small denominations, as it is believed that you should not refuse any requests/beggars. These poor people dot the Vishnupad temple. Rituals are done both at Vishnupad temple as well as the mutt premises. Summer tends to be very crowded and hot I am told. So our choice of December winter was an excellent one. The rooms and toilets are very clean and neat. Meals are commendable. We visited Gaya in December 2019 to perform Shradham for our ancestors. We stayed at the Kanchi mutt near Vishnupad temple. AC rooms cost Rs.1500 per night and can accommodate 5 people. There are 5 to 6 rooms. Rooms and toilets are clean. Food is great. The cost of pind daan, which was very elaborate and well-organised, was Rs.7500 per family. We made a small voluntary donation in kind to the mutt for excellent service provided. Please carry several coins and small denomination notes to donate to beggars/needy. There are several street food shops near the mutt, but they use onion and garlic, which are usually avoided during Shradh. But you can get some branded biscuits, Haldiram's namkeens nearby. For shopping, I recommend the small Banarsi saree shop opposite the mutt, the Gita press book shop a few blocks to the right of the mutt, and bells/Vishnupad/granite vigrahas from some of the several shops here. If you want to pick up something authentic, and create a family heirloom, I suggest you pick up a bronze kamandalu. These are available in various sizes and cost Rs.500 plus. Do please fix the rates with the guide before you go - it is said that they are never satisfied with anything you give due to Sitaji's curse- and they live up to that reputation???? A trip to Bodhgaya is absolutely a must - they are open from 4 pm to 9 pm, and listening to the group chanting there is heavenly. We spent about 30 minutes there. A free wheelchair facility is available at the entrance if necessary. On the way, you can visit the Shakthi peeth as well. It is best to take a return auto ride to and fro Bodhgaya, which costs around Rs.500/600 from Kanchi mutt. No cameras or photography is allowed inside Bodhgaya. So remember to leave your mobiles and camera behind. Bodhgaya is filled with tourists from all over the world. So do carry some face masks to protect yourself, just in case. Souvenirs I recommend: A Vishnupad in copper from the Vishnupad temple; lovely Buddha prints from Bodhgaya for gifting; and a bronze kamandalu. Enjoy your trip.
