Gaya is an auspicious city in the state of Bihar, situated near the Falgu river. It is known to be a holy city since it holds importance to Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It holds a lot of historic significance and is among the major attractions in India for tourism. People from all around the world come to visit this place for its rich culture and heritage. It is a famous pilgrim site thus making it busy with devotees all around the year. If you are looking to explore ancient temples that tap your belief then this holy city is the one for you. You can find many budget hotels in Gaya easily.
Gaya is of utmost importance to Buddhists. Gautam Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya and hence it came to be known as the birthplace of Buddhism. Mahabodhi Temple complex is among the four holy places of Buddhism and is a World Heritage Site. It also finds a mention in the Ramayana and Mahabharata. Gaya is the place where Rama along with Sita and Laxmana offered pind-daan for their father, Dasharath, making it an important Hindu pilgrimage site for Pind Daan. The Vishnupad temple is yet another important destination in Gaya. It is located on the banks of the Falgu river and is renowned for having the footprints of Lord Vishnu. It is said that Lord Vishnu killed Gayasur here upon placing his foot on Gayasur’s chest.
There are many attractions in Gaya that one can visit to indulge in the richness of this auspicious city. Budget hotels in Gaya are spread out across the city and you can choose one according to your needs. Dungeshwari cave temples are where Buddha stayed for many years before his enlightenment. Barabar caves are among the most ancient relics as they date back to the Mauryan era. Boddhi Tree is where Buddha attained enlightenment and hence is a sacred place for the followers of Buddhism. Bodhgaya Archeological Museum and Machalinda lake are to not be missed as well.
Gaya is famous for its many Monasteries as well. The most famous ones are the Chinese Temple, Thai Temple, and Royal Bhutan Monastery.
Locations to Stay in Gaya
Among the many areas to stay in Gaya, Gol Bagicha is dense with cheap hotels in Gaya. It is situated at a close distance from the Gaya Railway station, Gaya Junction Railway station, and Gaya airport making it an ideal choice for travelers. It is not far from the tourist destinations and you can easily find your way from it to your location. The area is situated near the Falgu river and is at the center of the city. Thai temples, Bodhgaya, Pind Daan, and the Bodhi Tree are some of the attractions near this area.
Budget hotels in Gaya in Gol Bagicha include Hotel Darbar International, Royal Guest House, Hotel Grand Palace, and Hotel City Inn. These options are the best among the cheap hotels in Gaya. Hotel Utsav is yet another option which is the cheapest of them all and does not compromise on services as well. Other options that you can consider are Hotel Basant Vihar International, Ajatsatru Hotel, Hotel Neelkamal, and Hotel Prem.
Other places to stay in Gaya are the Kashi Naath-More and Enayat Colony which is near Vishnupad Temple and Mahabodhi Temple. Happy Palace Homestay is among the budget hotels in Gaya in this locality. Apart from the tourist attractions, these localities are good for shopping purposes and dense in restaurants as well.
Budget Hotels for Honeymooners/couples and Solo Travelers
Gaya is a good spot for a honeymoon as there are a lot of destinations to explore. If you want to give your marriage a spiritual start then the holy city is best for you. Gaya is good for anyone who enjoys indulging in sightseeing of the ancient relics and peaceful atmospheres of the monasteries. Apart from the major attractions, various restaurants are serving a variety of cuisines that you can indulge in with your significant other. The banks of river Falgu serve as scenic beauty and a good spot for a picnic. Hotel Neelkamal and Hotel Basant Vihar International are among the budget hotels in Gaya for a honeymoon. Hotel Roxy Dj is a couple of friendly hotel among the cheap hotels in Gaya.
Solo traveling in Gaya is often preferred by many travelers. Alone time in Gaya allows you to explore the most out of the richness of this city’s culture and heritage. It is best for meditation and calming your senses with spirituality. Solo travelers can opt for Hotel Utsav as it is the cheapest among the budget hotels in Gaya with good service and location.
Offbeat Places to Stay in Gaya
There are a number of special places to visit in Gaya and each one of them holds its significance. Gaya is filled with devotees from all over the world as it is an important religious site. The Mahabodhi Temple is the main attraction in Gaya as it is the birthplace of Buddhism. Several Buddhists come to visit this auspicious place. It is also named a World Heritage site thus making it a worldwide attraction.
Vishnupad Temple is another important destination, especially for the followers of Hinduism. It contains the footprints of Vishnu and thus several devotees come to visit it. Shree Vishnu Guest House is among the budget hotels in Gaya near Vishnupad Temple. It is not far from Mahabodhi temple as well. Pind Daan is another important pilgrimage spot in Gaya. Hotel Gharana is among the cheap hotels in Gaya near Pind Daan.
Thai Temple and Monastery are the best among the many Monasteries in Gaya. It is renowned for its exquisite architecture which consists of sloping roofs covered with gold tiles. Hotel Samrat is a good place to stay among the budget hotels in Gaya near the Thai Monastery.
Best Time to Visit Gaya
Gaya’s climate is subtropical. The summers can be a bit unbearable and monsoons can be fairly wet. The best time to visit Gaya is during winter when the climate is comfortable for sightseeing and other activities. Winters start in November and go on till February. It is also the pilgrimage season for Buddhists and thousands of people come to visit it during the Buddha Purnima making it a sight to behold.
June till September is the monsoon months in Gaya and it rains fairly well, it gets pretty wet during this time which can result in a hassle during sightseeing. Summer lasts from March to May and it is not recommended to travel to Gaya during these months. The weather can get pretty hot with temperatures going above 40 degrees. Travel during these months can be uncomfortable.
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