Gaya to Adelaide Flights

  About Gaya

Located in the state of Bihar is Gaya, popularly known as Bodh Gaya, for its spiritual significance. The city of Gaya is a popular pilgrimage in the state and attracts Hindus and Buddhists from around the world.

One of the key reasons behind Hindus visiting the Gaya is to make funeral offerings to give the deceased's soul solace. Known as Pind Daan, the puja is only performed here in Gaya and is said to have strong religious values. The Pind Daan puja is conducted by the family of the deceased to bring their ancestor's souls to peace. The rituals are said to help the ancestors and their wandering souls find some peace and harmony in the nether worlds, after death. To perform this puja, people come from around the world as the beliefs are strong.

Hills surround the city of Gaya as the Himalayan range continues to sprawl across the expanses of Bihar as well. The Vishnupad temple, located at the heart of the Gaya city, holds tremendous religious significance. It is believed that the temple was originally built by Maratha princess Ahliyabai, back in the 18th century. Much like the city, even the hills that surround Gaya are known to be sacred and places of sanctity. The temple city has important shrines located in different directions from the centre of the city.

Gaya is also of spiritual significance to Buddhists as it is believed that Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment in this small town of Bihar. Bodhgaya has a vast expanse of Buddhist temple constructed with various spiritual significance. The city of Gaya holds importance for the Hindus and Buddhists for two impactful incidences are related to the place.

With the demand the city of Gaya has, the flight connectivity for domestic routes as well as international routes is quite high. There are numerous flights available from within the country and international destinations. The spiritual haven attracts Buddhists and Hindus every year to perform prayers and seek blessings. Ensure to book hotels well in advance during peak season as you might have trouble finding accommodation.

Best time to visit Gaya

Pitrapaksh month, also known as the period of ancestors in Hinduism, is considered to be the ideal time to visit Gaya. During this time, pilgrim activities are performed by families to help the souls of their ancestors to attain salvation. The Pitripaksh month falls in the monsoon season. The months September and October are observed as Pithru months, and during this season, various pilgrims arrive to seek blessings and help their ancestors. Another favoured month is during Buddha Purnima, which falls in the summer months of April-May. Buddhist monks and followers arrive at the Gaya to observe the teachings of Gautama Buddha and to seek his blessings. In terms of weather, Bodhgaya sees a spike in temperatures during summer, especially May. However, since the month is observed as Buddha Purnima, tourists don't mind the excess heat.

Places to see in Gaya

Mahabodhi Temple complex

South from the Brahmayoni hill is the temple of Bodh Gaya. The site is said to be a pilgrimage to the Buddhists and has the Mahabodhi Temple Complex. The site is often visited by His Holiness the Dalai Lama as it is the land where their guru, Gautama Buddha, attained Enlightenment. Not just Buddhists but even Hindus flock over to the temple complex as it has a calm and serene vibe that helps people find peace. Buddhists, as well as Hindus, venerate Bodh Gaya.

Vishnupad Temple

The ancient Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is located beautifully along the banks of the Falgu river. Legend states that Lord Vishnu observed Gaya as the place of attainment of salvation for wandering souls. Whoever wishes to seek moksham on behalf of them and their ancestors, should make Pind Daan and perform some rituals for the same.

Kushinagar

Kushinagar is believed to be a civilisation built by Lord Rama's son King Kush with Kushvati as the capital. Although many Hindus believe that the pilgrimage town is the capital of the Kosala Kingdom, which was led by King Kush, the Buddhists think otherwise. According to their traditional beliefs, Kushvati was a name given to the land even before the Ramayana happened. In this village, you will find some important structures that are pivotal to Buddhism.

Some of the incredibly beautiful structures in Kushinagar involve the Parinirvana Stupa, Nirvana Chaitya, Ramabhar Stupa and Matha Kuar Shrine. The entire complex is actually believed to be the shrine of Gautama Buddha after he attained Enlightenment. The Parinirvana Stupa is a fancy structure that represents the 'dying Buddha' as the statue is in a reclining position. The statue is placed on top of a large brick with pedestals. The temple is sacred and pious and what drives Buddhists to the city of Gaya.

The Matha Kuar Shrine is yet again a huge statue of Lord Buddha which has been carved out of one block, to represent the Buddha being seated under the Bodhi tree in a 'bhumi sparsh mudra'. Every attribute about these structures hold a deeper meaning and should be explored.

Bakraur

Bakraur or Bakrour is another village located closely towards the east of Bodh Gaya. It is believed that Sujata, residing in this village, offered Guatam Buddha milk and rice before he reached Enlightenment. A statue has been erected to honour Sujata for catering to the Buddha.

Deo Surya Mandir

The Hindu temple of Deo Surya Mandir is a shrine of the Sun God. Located in the small town of Deo, the temple is often decorated for Chhath Puja, and devotees who visit the temple during the same are blessed.

Things to do in Gaya

You can take this as an opportunity to trek up the Bragmayoni. The highest hill, called Brahmayoni, is at the height of 450 ft above the Gaya plains. It is said that on this very hill, Buddha preached the Adittapariyaya Sutta (fire sermon) to a thousand ascetics. Enlightened by Buddha's teachings, the former fire-worshipping monks accepted the new discourse set by him. The hill has spiritual relevance in Buddhism and is often visited by Buddhist monks and believers.

Food and Restaurants in Gaya

Even though the place is a spiritual haven for pilgrims, there are some quaint cafes and fusion food joints that cater to all kinds of travellers. While you are in Bodh Gaya, you can spend a day relishing the simple but sublime food provided by the temples. There are various restaurants close to the temples which have basic but soul-satisfying food. Other restaurants and cafes that you can explore in Bodhgaya are Be Happy cafe, Zera Coffee Company, Fusion Food Factory, Taj Darbar Restaurant, Gautam Lassi Corner, Rose Apple Cafe, Tirupathi South Cafe, Mohammed's restaurant and more. These places offer appetising food that isn't necessarily void of flavour. Plus, the ambience of the joints is also quite good and definitely memorable. You can also spend some time investing in street food as there are a plethora of options in that department.

How to reach Gaya (Transportation)

By Air

Gaya is a spiritual centre and hence is well-connected to domestic as well as international cities. The Gaya Airport has regular flight connectivity from Yangon, Delhi, Kolkata and Varanasi. While you can opt for these domestic routes to reach Gaya, for travellers from Mumbai, Chennai and other metropolitan cities in the West and South, Delhi and Kolkata are the best choices. As for tourists from abroad, there are international routes from Thailand, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam and many more countries, that are directly connected to the Bodhgaya airport. Travellers often go to Gaya for Pind Daan and hence, book flights in advance. Not to mention, the international crowd often heads to the city to seek Enlightenment at the Buddhist monastery.

The city does not have luxury stays as such. However, there are some decent hotels in Gaya that you can book ahead of your visit. Another alternative for travellers opting flight is to book flight tickets to Patna and transit from there. Often this domestic route is considered as it is easier to reach Patna from different parts of the country.

By Rail

Many trains from metropolitan cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Patna have regular trains passing through Bihar. You can book your tickets to Gaya and opt for the railway as an option. The connectivity within Gaya is also quite good as there are rickshaw and buses available. Taxi cabs and tuk-tuk rides are also prevalent, making the intercity travelling a tad bit easier. If you book your hotels in Gaya before travelling to the city, you will receive shuttle services from the accommodation.

By Road

The bus services to Gaya are aplenty from significant cities in Jharkhand Uttar Pradesh and more states. In fact, there are daily transport facilities from cities such as Patna, Hazaribag, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad, etc. You can book AC or non-AC buses that will take you to the city. The travel service providers ensure to offer services to Gaya for its spiritual significance and demand.

  About Adelaide

Even though it is not as popular as Sydney or Melbourne, Adelaide is a tourist destination in Australia that you must visit for a ton of reasons. Located in the southern part of Australia, this is where the country's best shiraz is made. Kangaroo Island here is a very popular tourist attraction. This is the perfect place for all nature, food and adventure lovers to visit. If you sign up for a food tour, you might even get to take back some sample cheese or baked goods. Adelaide also has museums for all you art and history lovers. A visit to Adelaide is also a very popular sightseeing option that tourists add to their itinerary. It has over 2500 animals of 250 different species. You can also head to Cleland Wildlife Park and Monarto Zoo. If there is one thing that Australia is popular for, it is the beaches. Adelaide also has quite a few beaches that will spruce up your vacation entirely. Adelaide is also called 'The Festival City'. No matter when you visit the city, you will find yourself attending one or another. The city is also known for its diverse cuisines and a vibrant nightlife.

Best Time to Visit Adelaide

Adelaide sees a high tourist season from March to May. The temperature ranges from 10 to 26 degree Celsius, and the weather is just perfect for hitting the beach. A lot of major events are also hosted during the fall season. This is the best time for you to sip a glass of wine and enjoy the festivals. Summer is also when a lot of cricket and rugby matches are organised, especially in March. Players gear up to give it their best and locals gear up to support their favourite teams in March when these matches are hosted. The hotel prices and cost of flight tickets to Adelaide drop by the end of the fall season. If you are planning to visit the city towards the end of fall, you might come across exciting flight deals to Adelaide online. You can attend events like Adelaide Fringe, Clipsal 500 Adelaide, WOMADelaide, Adelaide Festival, Barossa Vintage Festival and Tasting Australia.

December to February is the summer season in Adelaide, and the temperature ranges from 15 to 29 degree Celsius. While summer is a high tourist season for most cities in Australia, it is not the same for Adelaide. The tourist crowd is comparatively less in summer. However, this is the best time to explore all the outdoor tourist attractions like Kangaroo Island and Waterfall Gully. The end of summer also has wineries harvesting wine grapes. You can attend events like Santos Tour Down Under and Adelaide Fringe that goes on till March.

Adelaide experiences winter from June to August. The temperature ranges from 7 to 16 degree Celsius. The days are warmer compared to the evenings. It is best if you pack a pair of light jackets, too. Make sure you pack an umbrella also since the city is prone to rainstorms in this season. The occasional rainfall might put a damper on sightseeing or plans to pursue any outdoor activities. The city doesn't see a lot of tourists during winter, which is why it will be easier for you to get cheap flight tickets to Adelaide in winter. You can book a hotel in Adelaide at the lowest price, too. You can attend events like Adelaide Beer & BBQ Festival, Adelaide Guitar Festival and the South Australian Living Artists Festival. The spring season hits Adelaide from September to November. The temperature ranges from 10 to 25 degree Celsius. Spring is the perfect time for you to go sightseeing. Make sure you head to the Adelaide Botanic Garden if you are visiting the city in spring. You will get to see roses and water lilies bloom. Apart from the festival days, you will get cheap flight tickets to Adelaide and low hotel prices, too. Head over to attend the Royal Adelaide Show, OzAsia Festival, Adelaide Fashion Festival and Feast Festival.

Places to Visit in Adelaide

Adelaide Botanic Garden is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city, especially during the spring season. You will also come across a lot of other historic buildings here. Give yourself an adrenaline boost and head to Mount Lofty. The view from the top of this mountain is breathtaking, and no pictures will do justice to how overwhelmingly beautiful the city looks from here. If you are an art lover and a history buff, make sure you visit the South Australian Museum. This is a perfect place for everyone interested in palaeontology, too. Victoria Square is dedicated to Queen Victoria and even has a statue of her at the centre of the square. You can head over to Victoria Square to relax after a long day of sightseeing and adventures. The National Wine Centre of Australia has a permanent exhibition on how wine is made, and you will even get to know all about the different kinds of wine and the grapes used to make it. If you want to indulge in a little gambling, you can try your luck at Adelaide Casino. The Adelaide Zoo has over 1800 animals, and you can also visit the zoo at night. Cleland Wildlife Park is another place you can go to if you want to bond with the animals. The animals here are not caged, and you can even feed the kangaroos here. Waterfall Gully is one of the most beautiful places in the city that you must visit. You can trek near the walls or follow the walking tracks. Waterfall Gully will not disappoint you one bit. If you want to go on a shopping spree, head over to Adelaide Central Market.

Things to do in Adelaide

Adelaide is known for its diverse food culture, and nothing will make your day better than signing up for a food tour of the city. You can also visit the Adelaide Central Market and head over to the stalls there to get a sneak peek into the city's food culture. If you are into arts and history, you can visit the museums in the city. Adelaide also offers a lot of trekking, hiking and biking opportunities close to nature at places like Waterfall Gully, Kangaroo Island and so on. You can also attend various festivals here to get to know more about the city's culture. Head over to Barossa Valley to know more about how grapes are harvested and what goes into making the finest wines in the city. While you can go exploring on your own, it is recommended that you opt for a guided tour of the vineyards. Adelaide is also known for its vibrant nightlife, and you cannot leave without partying here. You can either go with your friends, or you can make friends at the clubs.

Foods and Restaurants in Adelaide

Adelaide has a very eclectic dining scene. You will find a lot of cafes and pubs in the city. There are a lot of eateries serving Indian, Thai, Italian, Asian and European food, too. Andre's Cucina and Georges on Waymouth are popular restaurants for Italian and European cuisines. You will get the best Asian and Chinese foods at Chinatown Adelaide, Star of Siam and Concubine. You can also try traditional Australian dishes at Restaurant Orana, Press*Food & Wine and Peel St. Make sure you try the pie floaters and AB (french fries topped with garlic sauces, gyro meat, barbecue and tomato) with a pint of beer. You can also enjoy the local seafood like king prawns, King George whiting and oysters at the restaurants in the city. For dessert, you can head over to Haigh's Chocolates or pick up some FruChocs from a grocery store. Adelaide is also known for its wineries and a wide selection of wines. You can go on a wine tasting tour or add to your food tasting tour. You can also try some Vietnamese cuisine at Mai Kitchen.

How to reach Adelaide

Adelaide International Airport is the fifth-busiest airport in Australia. The flight connectivity to Adelaide from India is excellent. Singapore Airlines and Cathay Pacific Airways have frequent flights to Adelaide from India with layovers at Singapore, Sydney, Brisbane and Hong Kong. If you book at the right time, you might come across excellent flight deals to Adelaide online. If you are heading to the city during the offseason, you might even get cheap flight tickets to Adelaide. It is pretty convenient to get a cab or a car rental service from the airport to your hotel. The airport is also equipped with premium lounges, restaurants, cafes, shopping areas, smoking area, children's play area and a lot more. You can also book a hotel in Adelaide closer to the airport for the last few days of your holiday. It will be less stressful for you to reach the airport on time to board your flight. You will also be able to cut through all the traffic to reach the airport without any hassle.