It is probably necessary at this juncture to explain what the 4 main sites are and how it came about in the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit. In the Maha-parinibbana Sutta, Lord Buddha once mentioned that a devout Buddhist should visit 4 main locations; (1) Lumbini, where Lord Buddha was born, (2) Bodhgaya, where Lord Buddha gained enlightenment, (3) Sarnath, where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon and last but not least, (4) Kushinager, where Lord Buddha attained parinirvana (or passed away). Apart from Lumbini which is currently located in the present-day Nepal, the 3 remaining sites are in India (located in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar state respectively).

Bodhgaya, a town populated by 30,000 people, is located in southern Bihar. Flanked by the Falgu River, first impressions suggests that it is like any other normal (and overcrowded) Indian town though something really special happened here. After discovering the Middle Way (a path of moderation away from self-indulgence and self-mortification), Lord Buddha accepted a meal of milk and rice pudding from Sujata (a village girl whom he met) before finally settling down under a pipal tree (this particular tree is now known as the Bodhi Tree). After 7 weeks of meditation, he finally attained enlightenment.

It is probably due to importance of this stop that causes it is to be the most crowded point in the Buddhist Pilgrimage circuit. We check-in at Lotus Nikko Hotel (we would realise this tour is also a "pilgrimage" for the hotel chain since we would be staying in all of its 3 hotels along the circuit) and had breakfast. Perhaps I had to thank the Chinese tourists (from Australia and Taiwan); the hotel prepared plain porridge (or boiled rice) with peanuts as breakfast. As of all organised tours, we did 15-mins photo stops along the major monasteries before visiting the all-magnificent Mahabodhi Temple (admission free, camera fee: Rs20/S$0.65); where it was erected by King Ashoka to mark the spot where Lord Buddha had gained enlightenment. There were many visitors from all around the world that it looks like a headquarter for a Buddhist United Nations. Trust me, simply being able to be here was already enough.