Dungeshwari Cave Temples
डुंगेश्वरी गुफा मंदिर
The cave where the Buddha practiced asceticism for six years before enlightenment, housing the famous statue of the emaciated ascetic Buddha, with a hilltop overlooking the plain.
Dungeshwari Hill lies about 12 km northeast of Bodh Gaya. Tradition holds that the Buddha practiced asceticism here for six years, and only after realizing the Middle Way did he descend and make his way to the Bodhi tree. Inside the caves on the hillside is a statue of the Buddha, emaciated like a skeleton, and beside it stands a Tibetan monastery. The climb up the steps takes about 15 minutes, and there are many begging children along the way, so it is best to hire a car or e-rickshaw for the round trip. One way takes about 30–40 minutes, and you can combine it with a visit to Sujata Stupa.
Opening hours
08:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- Sujata Stupa
- Bodhi Tree & Vajrasana
- Mahabodhi Temple
- Tibetan Temple (Namgyal Monastery area)
- Archaeological Museum, Bodh Gaya
- Tergar Monastery
- Wat Thai Buddhagaya
- Indosan Nipponji Temple