Gaya to Atlanta 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 Atlanta

Atlanta is a city in the US that you must visit at least once in your life. The different festivals, mimosas, bicycle tours, sports and food is what attracts tourists to the city. You can sit back and relax, let time pass by as you laze around and binge on mimosas. Not to mention, you can also go on a shopping spree and satisfy the shopaholic in you. The city sees a lot of tourists during the Spring season, and you will also find yourself attending a lot of parties during this season, courtesy youngsters flying to Atlanta on their spring break. The city also has the Mercedes-Benz Stadium that sees a lot of crazed soccer fans during spring. You might want to get tickets to watch the matches live well in advance. Atlanta is also known for its dynamic culture and gastronomic dining scene. It might not be one of the hottest holiday destinations in America, but it is certainly one that will not disappoint you.

Best Time to Visit Atlanta

June to August is summer in Atlanta and is also a high season among tourists. Hotel and flight prices see an upward spike during these months. The temperature ranges from 20 to 32 degree Celsius. You will also find the most number of festivals and events happening during summer as compared to the other months. You can attend the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Atlanta Ice Cream Festival, Atlanta International Fashion Week, Dragon Con and so on. Spring is also a popular season in Atlanta that invites a lot of tourists. The weather remains pleasant, and the city also hosts quite a few events during this season. The temperature ranges from 7 to 26 degree Celsius. If you are keen on attending the events here during spring, you can head for Atlanta Film Festival, Atlanta Jazz Festival, Atlanta Food & Wine Festival, Atlanta Dogwood Festival and so on. It won't be easy to book your hotel in Atlanta at a cheaper rate during spring either since tourists start buzzing in the city from spring through summer.

The hotel prices start dropping from September since autumn season begins. The city witnesses a lot of rainfall and is under a constant threat of hurricanes. The good part is that it is far more pleasant than summer and you get to attend a lot of music festivals during this time. You can head to the Music Midtown, A3C Festival, Imagine Festival, Atlanta Pride and Dragon Con, among other events. The temperature ranges from 7 to 28 degree Celsius. It falls to 7 degree Celsius towards November since it is inching closer to winter. Getting around the city without the hustle and bustle of tourists is what makes it even better.

The temperature in winter ranges from 1 to 13 degree Celsius and from December to February. December and January are the coldest months in the city. It is not the most popular time to plan a trip here, but there are high chances that you will get cheap flight tickets to Atlanta in winter. The hotel prices also drop considerably, but it is also advisable that you do not plan your trip to Atlanta during winter. The heavy snowfall brings the city to a standstill since they lack decent equipment to clear out the snow. If you just want to get away from your city life and are not planning to get out of your hotel much, you can head to Atlanta in winter though summer and spring are the most recommended seasons to plan your trip to the city.

Places to Visit in Atlanta

Georgia Aquarium is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. It used to be one of the largest aquariums in the world before the one in Singapore came along. You can spot about 100,000 marine life here, and the aquarium also offers activities like diving and snorkelling. You will need a scuba diving certificate if you want to go diving here. You can also visit the Martin Luther King Jr Historic Site, another popular tourist spot in Atlanta. It was opened to the public in 2011 and is spread across 4 acres of land. Events like Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month are celebrated here. This is the perfect place to visit for anyone who loves history. The Fox Theatre in Midtown Atlanta is one tourist spot that comes with an interesting story. It was originally built as a Yaarab Temple Shrine Mosque in the 1920s. Though it was originally going to be a Moorish architecture Shrine temple, it turned into a posh movie theatre and a stage for performing arts.

You can also head to the Atlanta Botanical Garden, which is adjacent to the Piedmont Park. The park also has subparts like a Japanese Garden, a Rose Garden and a garden just for kids to play. The Botanical Garden also hosts charity events and exhibitions. The World of Coca-Cola is another attraction that you cannot miss. You get to taste the different flavours of the cola, and you will also find a lot of different bottles. Atlanta also has a lot of impressive art exhibitions and museums that you can head to if you are an art lover. The Atlanta Beltline is another popular place in Atlanta, and a lot of people use it to ride bicycles for recreational purposes or hiking. You can also visit the Mercedes-Benz Stadium. If there are no soccer matches scheduled during your trip that you can catch live, you can take a guided tour of the stadium.

Things to do in Atlanta

Atlanta might be a more commercial hub than a tourist destination, but it does have a couple of tourist attractions. If you are enthusiastic about history, Atlanta is the place to go. The city also has spots for shopaholics with vibrant nightlife scenes. If you are with your family, you can spend a day at the Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola. You can also head to the zoo with your kids. Indulge in some recreational activities at the Atlanta Beltline like walking, biking or hiking. If you have nothing planned for the day and don't want to stay locked up in your hotel room, you can head to the Ponce City Market to experience the nightlife or shop till you drop. You can buy a lot of souvenirs for your friends and family back home. You can also sign up for a biking or food tour in the city if you don't want to go exploring yourself. If you want to just like in a pool or your hotel room the entire day, you can go ahead and do that, too.

Food and Restaurants in Atlanta

Apart from its rich history and culture, Atlanta is known for its culinary diversity and brilliance. Be it American, Korean, Peruvian, Indian or Italian cuisine, and you will get everything that your heart craves for here. There are quite a few steakhouses in the city like The Capital Grille, Chama Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse and Bones. You can also head to Atlanta Breakfast Club and Fox Bros for a quick bite. Babette's Cafe is popular for its delicious Italian and French cuisines. You must also try the sushi at Eight Sushi Lounge. You will also find restaurants that serve vegan food here. Head over to Herban Fix - Vegan Kitchen for some Asian and fusion food. Nikolai's Roof is a restaurant that not only serves you delicious food but also offers a great view. You can also try Red Phone Booth for a couple of beers and classic American food. You will find a lot of diners and food trucks, too, in the city that you must not miss at all. One thing is certain in Atlanta you will never go hungry. There are lots of options for you to choose from and it won't even burn a hole in your pocket.

How to reach Atlanta (Transportation)

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport serves as the primary international airport in Atlanta. The flight connectivity to Atlanta from India is quite good and frequent. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, United Airlines, Air Canada Lufthansa have frequent flights to Atlanta from India's major cities. Munich, Frankfurt, Toronto are some of the cities that you might have to stop at for layovers. You should pick a flight that does not have too many layovers if you want to save time. There are no direct flights to Atlanta from India. If you book in advance, there are chances that you will get a good deal on flights to Atlanta online. Atlanta airport is also quite fancy and well-equipped. There's WiFi, fancy lounges, high-end stores for you to shop at, restaurants, cafes, taxis and so on. You will certainly find a lot of ways to pass the time by if you have a few hours till you board your flight. Finding a taxi or bus from Atlanta airport to reach your hotel is quite convenient, too.

 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.