Mahabodhi Temple Meditation Retreat

Kathmandu → Bodhgaya

Highlights

• Meditate beneath the sacred Bodhi Tree where Prince Siddhartha attained enlightenment 2,500 years ago.
• Buddhist heritage · 3 days / 2 nights
• Small group, guide-led

Day-by-day itinerary

1. D1

   Arrival & Sacred Ground Orientation

   Arrive in Bodhgaya by afternoon and check into a monastery guesthouse. At 4:00 PM, walk slowly around the Mahabodhi Temple complex, observing the 55-meter sandstone spire built in the 3rd century BCE by Emperor Ashoka. Notice the intricate stone carvings depicting the Buddha's life. Cultural learning: Walk clockwise (pradakshina) around the temple as a mark of respect. Wear white or muted colors; remove shoes before entering the inner sanctum.

   Bodhgaya As per plan

2. D2

   Meditation Under the Bodhi Tree

   Rise at 5:00 AM and join international practitioners for group meditation under the Bodhi Tree. Sit on a cushion beneath its spreading branches, listening to birdsong and temple bells. Practice Anapanasati (breath awareness) for two hours guided by a resident monk. At 10:00 AM, visit the adjacent Great Buddha Statue (25m tall) representing the calling-the-earth-to-witness mudra. Afternoon: Attend a Dhamma talk on the Four Noble Truths. Preparation: Bring your own meditation cushion; dress in loose white clothing.

   Bodhgaya As per plan

3. D3

   Monastery Circuit & Departure

   Visit the Thai, Tibetan, Japanese, and Burmese monasteries — each reflecting its nation's architectural style and Buddhist tradition. Participate in a communal lunch at a monastery (Dana offering). Purchase Buddhist texts from the temple bookstore. Depart with a blessed mala and a deeper understanding of the path to liberation through mindfulness.

   Bodhgaya As per plan

Price includes

• Local storyteller guide
• Stays as per itinerary
• Daily breakfast
• All ground transfers

Make it yours (upsells)

Everything apart from the trip itself is an upsell — tick what you want.