Seeking enlightenment

Last days we have been traveling a lot. Thursday we flew from Mumbai to Patna, a city in the east of India, the capital of Bihar, and close to Nepal. This part of India is very poor (and famous for its lawlessness), but the countryside is also very beautiful and colorful. We drove to Bodhgaya, around 135 km from Patna. In Bodhgaya Prince Siddhartha Gautama 26 centuries ago attained enlightenment beneath a bodhi tree and so became Budha. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex (World Heritage) is truly beautiful and very peaceful. And in this time of the year full of Buddhist pilgrims from all around the world, coloring Bodhgaya with their maroon robes. Even visiting at night, it is a special experience.