Gaya to Almaty undefined 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 Almaty

Kazakhstan's largest metropolis, Almaty, is the capital of the country. The gorgeous city is nestled on the foothills of the Trans-Ili Alatau mountains. It is considered to be one of the perfect places for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports. It is located in Central Asia and holds tremendous historical and cultural significance. Not to mention, it is soon rising to be one of the best tourist destinations in the world for winter.

Best time to visit Almaty

Almaty's geographical features make it a cold city that is best visited during their summers. The average temperature in Almaty ranges from 22 degree Celsius to 27 degree Celsius. The city is known to see extreme winters that often see a negative temperature too. Hence, winters would be quite risky and unfavourable for a trip to Almaty. In contrast, the summers get rather hot with temperatures that could reach a high of 30 degree Celsius too. November to January see a massive drop in the city's temperatures and are not favourable for a trip. You might have to deal with the consequences of excess cold such as frostbites, difficulty in breathing and other such health hazards. Hence, these months need to be avoided. The city's tourism continues to see action as many folks who wish to indulge in winter activities do flock over to the city. You will find many tourists opting for skiing and other winter-related activities, head to the city. The city is not completely shut during winters as there is scope for tourism-related activities.

However, there are fewer hotels open for business. The hospitality industry doesn't see a tremendous dip as such because tourists who want to indulge in adventure sports do arrive in the city. The winters often stretch to April too. You should know though that April is the onset of monsoons in the city. April to May sees rainfall in the city. These two are the wettest months in the year and receive quite heavy rainfall. The summer months are very pleasant with temperatures often reaching 30 degree Celsius. Since a majority of the crowd visit Almaty for their winter sports, the summer sees less tourism. But it does open avenues for more adventure activities as many take to the trekking trails or indulge in the food and cultural heritages of Almaty. The summers do get very hot as it is humid as well. However, June to September is considered the best time to visit Almaty. The weather is pleasant, and you can explore more of the rocky terrains and other lovely locales of the city. It is ideal for sightseeing and other tourist activities.

Places to visit in Almaty

One of the biggest highlights of Almaty is the Big Almaty Lake. The exquisitely blue water is a natural reservoir and surrounded by the Trans-Ili Alatau. The place is too beautiful for words. Kok Tobe is one of the most famous attractions in Almaty. The recreation area is perched atop a mountain and makes way for several outdoor activities. YOU should also visit the Park 28 Panfilovtsev. The place has been reserved to honour some soldiers from the Almaty infantry who perished during the German invasion in Moscow. The place has historical significance and should definitely be explored. Another lovely place to check out would be the Zenkov Cathedral. It is constructed in the complex of Panfilov Park. The cathedral has been constructed by wood but without the use of nails. You should definitely visit the First President Park. The gigantic complex is beautifully constructed and has been opened for the public recently. It is an open space that is aesthetically gifted with exquisite fountains, bushes, green grasses and more.

Things to do in Almaty

To indulge in some of the fun ice skating and skiing, you should visit the Medeo. The place is perfect for those who wish to get their adrenaline-charged by taking up winter sports. Medeo is actually on the outskirts of Almaty and located about 1,691 meters above sea level. The place is always freezing with snow and hence, is ideal for winter sports activities. Shymbulak is another such place where you can have some winter sports fun. The ski resort organises some ski trips and is easily one of the largest ski resorts across Central Asia. The resort is located close to the Medeu Valley and is in the Zailinsky Alatau range of icy mountains. One of the fun things that you can do is explore more of Kazakhstan history and cultural significance. The Central State Museum of the Republic of Kazakhstan is your place to check out. The museum brings life to some of the stories and cultural references that make up Central Asia's history. Do not miss the Ile-Alatau National Park, which is massive and has the sparkling blue Chemolgan River flowing.

Food and Restaurants in Almaty

Almaty is the commercial and cultural centre of Kazakhstan and hence, sees a thriving food culture. There are charming, quaint cafes and restaurants that will blow your mind. Much of the architecture boasts Soviet influence and the eclectic spread of cuisines is definitely worth checking out. From small food establishments to a sophisticated setting, the city has room for all kinds of tourist audience. Interestingly, much of Almaty has heavy Russian-inspired dishes. So you will find some interesting meals from the Russian kitchen with a twist of Almaty. You can start your food rendezvous in the city by checking out Gosti. It is the perfect restaurant which boasts Russian culture in its interiors and dishes. The black tea here is a speciality that you simply cannot miss. Kishlak is another cosy food establishment in Almaty that you would fancy. The decor is inspired by Central Asian designs with motifs on the walls. It has a very basic house-style cafe with an interesting spread of Central Asian cuisine ranging from Kazakh, Uygur and Uzbek cuisine.

Kishlak has exquisite dishes such as manti and shorpa, all made from lamb meat. El Mirador is one of the few international restaurants where food is served with a Kazakh-twist. The place specialises in seafood and has an array of dishes that would get you excited. They also have grilled meats with Argentinean style delicacies. If you do not wish to indulge in their style of meat and non-vegetarian dishes, then you should visit Alasha. The restaurant is on the outskirts of the city and has been constructed in the classic Timurid style, which comes from Turkmenistan. They have some exquisite dishes and fresh salads. Meat is also prevalent, and you will find them accompanied by fun Uzbek music. For a low-key restaurant and coffeehouse, you should go to Chukotka, a quaint establishment which is known to attract the hip crowd. The place has Russian, Central Asian and even European cuisine with a bar and an area dedicated to dancing. It is the perfect pub/coffeehouse you can ask for. You can further expand your culinary list by visiting Cafeteria, Traktir Medved and Gakku.

How to reach Almaty (Transportation)

As the capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty manages to receive good flight connectivity with international cities. Although there are no direct flights to Almaty from Indian cities, there is some good connectivity that can be found in other international cities. The most popular route to Almaty from India is via Dubai. Airlines such as Emirates, flydubai, Turkish Airlines, EgyptAir, Asiana Airlines, Lufthansa, to name a few, have dedicated flights to Almaty. However, to reach the city, it is essential to find the right international route to Almaty to avoid spending too much time in transit. There are many few flight options that have less time duration to reach Almaty. Often many airlines take a roundabout international route to reach Almaty, which could be very time-consuming. Hence, it is essential to pick the right airlines and route that would reduce the travel time and other concerns in terms of flight connectivity to Almaty. Emirates has the best flight connectivity to Almaty with a slew of flights that fly to the city.

The flight duration to Almaty ranges from 7 hours to 12 hours. However, depending on the airlines and layovers, this time could be extended. If you opt for cheap flights, you might end up spending over 22 hours in transit. However, to avoid the extensive travel duration, opt for airlines that has a less layover duration. The flight tickets to Almaty are quite reasonable. They range from INR 28,000 to INR 35,000. Depending on the airlines and the flight duration, the ticket prices to Almaty could change. You can further make amends in the prices of the tickets to Almaty by opting for some online deals. Various airlines have great online flight deals to Almaty that would come in handy. If you make prior bookings to Almaty, you will be able to avail these offers. You can also combine your flight and hotel bookings in Almaty to get more discounts. There are a plethora of platforms that have miles services that you can choose. These would enable you to earn miles and further spend it on a bigger and more expensive trip.

 About Air India

Air India was the first Indian airline that went by the name Tata Airways when it was launched. Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata launched it in 1932 in Karachi. The first flight was from Karachi to Mumbai and then to Chennai. The airline became a public limited company after World War II, under the name Air India. In 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A called the Malabar Princess landed in London Heathrow from Bombay, which was the airline's first international flight. Air India got its first Boeing 707-420 and became the first Asian airline to enter the Jet Age. It launched services to New York in 1960. It took delivery of its first Boeing 747-200B in 1971 and named it Emperor Ashoka. It acquired its first Airbus A310-300 in 1986 and Boeing 747-400 in 1993 which was named Konark later. The airline also operated its first non-stop flight between New York and Delhi during this year. In 2007, Air India merged with Indian Airlines under Air India Limited. They acquired their first Boeing 777 that year. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is Air India's main hub. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai is the secondary hub. Chennai International Airport, Cochin International Airport, Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Trivandrum International Airport are its focus cities domestically.

Air India made Frankfurt Airport its international hub in 2009 for onward connections to the United States of America from India. Still, they had to shut it down because of high operating costs. In 2010, Air India decided to open a new hub for its international flights in Dubai. The airline's financial growth has been a topic of conversation for decades. For years, there were debates around the privatisation of Air India, but the Government of India refused to go ahead with it. When it did decide to hand over responsibility to private companies, no one came forward. Air India launched its low-cost airline, Air India Express, a couple of years back that majorly flew to countries in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Despite suffering losses in the market and going through a lot of ups and downs, the airline is functioning since it is the national carrier.

Air India has also gone through a lot of modifications with its brand logo and mascot. The Maharajah is the main mascot of the airline and was created by Bobby Kooka, the commercial director of Air India then and Umesh Rao, who was an artist with J Walter Thompson Limited in 1946. The mascot was given a makeover in 2015, and the airline decided to go with a younger version of Maharajah. Since India's colour scheme is red and white, the airline's logo also incorporates the same in its logo. The name of the airline is written in Hindi and English in red. The first logo of the airline was a centaur shooting an arrow in a circle which represented the wheel of Konark. However, the airline decided to give its logo a makeover in 2007, which was a flying swan with the wheel of Konark in it.

Fleet Size of Air India

Air India had started its operations with a de Havilland Puss Moth aircraft back in 1932. It inducted its first Boeing 707-420 later on and named it Gauri Shankar. It became the first Asian airline to add a jet aircraft in its fleet. Since it is the oldest airline in the country, it has both Boeing and Airbus aircraft in its fleet. It inducted its first Boeing 747-400 in 1993 and named it Konark. The airline inducted its first Airbus A320-200 aircraft in 1989 which now covers both domestic and international short hauls. The airline has a total of 70 Airbus aircraft including one A320 Classic, 4 A320ceo, 19 A319 aircraft, 20 A321, 5 A320ceo (Single Configuration), 27 A320neo and 3 A319 (Single Configuration). It has a total of 172 narrow-body aircraft and 49 wide-body aircraft. Air India uses one of the five Boeing 747-400s as VIP flights. Air India grounded its last Airbus A320 classic fleet in 2019, and the last flight flew from Delhi to Mumbai.

Air India had also sold five of its Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to Etihad Airways in 2013 to make up for its financial losses. The airline also had plans to introduce long flights to Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco but had to cancel, owing to weak demand and high fuel prices.

Baggage Allowance

Air India has certain baggage allowance rules and regulations that every passenger must follow. As per Air India's baggage allowance rules, you cannot carry cabin luggage that exceeds 8 kg, and your check-in luggage cannot exceed 20 kg. If you are flying internationally and if you are a premium club member, you will be allowed up to 40 kg of baggage. Even if you are ready to pay extra, your hand baggage cannot exceed 10 kg. First Class passengers are allowed a maximum of 40 kg baggage while Business Class passengers can only carry 35 kg. If you are travelling by the Economy Class, your baggage cannot exceed 25 kg. However, if you have an infant travelling with you, an extra 10 kg baggage allowance is offered by the airline. Make sure you inform the airline staff well in advance if your luggage is going to exceed the allowed weight. The airline has also made web check-in quite convenient for its passengers. You can either log in to the website and get it done, or you can get in touch with the call centre. The executives will help you get your web check-in done. It is best to get your web check-in done in advance, so you get to pick the right seat instead of settling for something chosen by the staff at the airport.

In-flight Services

Air India's First Class is royalty and luxury personified. The seats recline up to 180-degree, and the interiors are a sight for sore eyes. In addition to the ultra-comfortable seating, Air India's in-flight services are extremely efficient, and the best part is that the first-class cabin only seats 12 passengers. You can order your favourite cocktails and cuisines that are a treat to your taste buds. You can also do all of your duty-free shopping onboard. The first-class and business class cabins are also equipped with the Thales i3000 in-flight entertainment system. You can access five channels in Hindi and English. You can also browse through Air India's in-flight magazine called Shubh Yatra. First Class and Business Class passengers can also access the Maharaja Lounge. Business-class passengers are treated to plush seats and lip-smacking entrees that are accompanied with wine. You also get an exclusive check-in and lounge facility. Don't fret if you are not travelling by the premium class. Economy class passengers have complimentary refreshments and meals on all of their flights. You will also get complimentary liquor or wine on the international flights. The airline staff makes sure that passengers have a great time during their journey.

Popular Routes and Top Cities for Air India

Air India connects to various domestic and international routes daily. Since it is one of the oldest and the first airlines, it connects to more cities domestically and internationally. It connects to approximately 102 destinations like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and so on. It also flies to international destinations that cover the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Air India has frequent flights running to other destinations and makes sure you have had a great journey as well. Do make sure that you get your web check-in done well in advance.

Why Travel by Air India?

Air India is the national airline and has been in the airline industry since 1932. The airline makes sure that you have had a comfortable journey and seldom leaves any room for complaints. It has maintained its legacy of making sure that every passenger gets a royal treatment. It is also one of the very few airlines in the country that offers first-class flights to its passengers. You can check Air India's flight schedule and your flight status on their website. Even if you cannot access the website for some reason, you will certainly get updates and messages from the airline regarding the same. It also makes web check-in quite easy for its passengers. The staff is well-equipped to solve any grievances or requests put forth by passengers. You can book an Air India flight from the website. You can also get in touch with your travel agent and get them to book the ticket for you. It would be best if you experienced the royal treatment and luxury of being Air India's first-class passenger at least once in your life. The airline has come a long way and continues to give its passengers the best services and experience. The airline also makes sure that the flights run on time.