Nestled along the Phalgu River in Bihar, Bodh Gaya is globally revered as the site where Prince Siddhartha Gautama attained Enlightenment in the 6th century BCE. Over two millennia, it has evolved into the preeminent pilgrimage destination in Buddhism, where spiritual devotion, history, geography, and architecture converge.
Rising nearly 55 metres, the Mahabodhi Temple, primarily 5th–6th century CE with Ashokan foundations, is among India’s earliest monumental brick structures. It remains a living centre of worship and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, symbolising the Buddha’s Enlightenment and architectural continuity.
The Bodhi Tree, descendant of the original, shelters the Vajrasana, marking the precise seat of Awakening. Together, they form the bodhimanda, the most venerated locus in Buddhist geography.
Dating to the 2nd century BCE, this stupa commemorates Sujata’s offering of milk-rice, highlighting the Middle Path doctrine central to Buddhist philosophy.
Approximately seven kilometres northeast, these hills contain caves associated with the Buddha’s pre-enlightenment austerities, illustrating early ascetic practices and spiritual geography.
Linked to the serpent king Muchalinda legend, the lake and surrounding meditation gardens provide contemplative spaces integrating nature and spirituality, reflecting core Buddhist practice.
Housing artefacts from Mauryan, Gupta, and Pala periods, the museum offers essential context for Buddhist artistic and cultural development in the region.
Bodh Gaya hosts monasteries from Thailand, Bhutan, Tibet, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar, showcasing diverse architectural styles and intercultural spiritual traditions, reinforcing its cosmopolitan religious role.
Consecrated in 1989, this monumental figure exemplifies modern devotional architecture while symbolising the timeless universality of Buddhist teachings.
Markets such as the Tibetan Refugee Market animate daily life with ritual objects, handicrafts, and art, illustrating the dynamic interaction of pilgrimage and local culture.
The bustling town market provides a vibrant complement to sacred sites, offering traditional crafts, textiles, souvenirs, and regional cuisine, reflecting the living culture of the city.
A scenic trek route through the hills surrounding Bodh Gaya, offering panoramic views and immersive engagement with the natural and spiritual landscape, tracing the Buddha’s path to Enlightenment.
Across Bodh Gaya, temple courtyards, gardens, and designated meditation zones provide quiet spaces for personal reflection, integrating spiritual practice with historical and architectural immersion.
Nestled in the Nalanda district of Bihar, Rajgir — historically known as Rajgriha — is one of India’s most ancient and spiritually resonant cities. Surrounded by the verdant Vaibhar, Ratna, Swarna, Udaya, and Songiri hills, the city served as the capital of Magadha, a cradle of early South Asian civilisation. Rajgir is renowned for its confluence of Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu heritage, featuring sacred caves, monastic complexes, thermal springs, and hilltop fortifications.
Beyond its historical and spiritual significance, Rajgir offers modern adventure and eco-tourism experiences, including panoramic ropeways, cycling trails suspended above valleys, and safari parks. This unique blend of natural beauty, ancient architecture, and living culture makes Rajgir an ideal site for reflection, exploration, and immersive learning during the WCND 2026 City Walk.
An international symbol of peace and meditation, built in 1969 with Japanese Buddhist collaboration. Perched on Ratnagiri Hill, it overlooks Rajgir’s valleys and serves as a hub for spiritual reflection, meditation, and global Buddhist congregations.
Revered as the site where the Buddha delivered key sermons, including discourses recorded in the Pali Canon. Its rocky slopes and panoramic views offer a contemplative landscape blending spiritual and geographical significance.
A horseshoe-shaped natural lake nestled among hills, ideal for eco-tourism, kayaking, and birdwatching. The tranquil setting provides both recreational and contemplative spaces, merging nature and spiritual calm.
A modern aerial cableway connecting the valley to the Shanti Stupa, offering panoramic vistas of Rajgir’s hills, forests, and ancient sites, and illustrating the integration of modern infrastructure with natural landscapes.
A contemporary adventure installation that allows visitors to pedal suspended above the valley, combining thrill, panoramic hill views, and innovative experiential architecture.
Ancient monastic caves linked to the first Buddhist council, providing insight into early ascetic life, meditation practices, and monastic architecture, set in a serene forested environment.
Dating to the 3rd–4th century CE, these rock-cut chambers exhibit Gupta-era craftsmanship and inscriptions, highlighting Rajgir’s Jain and Buddhist heritage and its enduring historical legacy.
Sacred thermal springs revered in Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu traditions, believed to possess therapeutic and ritual purification properties, blending natural phenomena with spiritual significance.
Massive uncemented stone fortifications, over 2,500 years old, representing Magadha’s strategic and political importance, early urban planning, and architectural ingenuity.
A vibrant market and cultural hub offering artisanal handicrafts, ritual objects, textiles, and regional cuisine, reflecting the living social and cultural fabric of the city.
An eco-tourism destination spanning 191 hectares, featuring tiger, lion, leopard, and herbivore zones. It combines wildlife conservation, environmental education, and immersive hill landscapes, integrating modern recreation with natural heritage.
Ruins of Jarasandh’s ancient fortifications, showcasing early military architecture, strategic planning, and hilltop engineering. The site provides panoramic views of Rajgir while connecting visitors to the region’s mythological and historical narrative.
