Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v1.c7.s2.t5.1

v1.c7.s2.t5.1

Among the ancient living cities of India, Gaya has been famous for both of its Hindu and Buddhist connections. Situated at the bank of River Falgu (referred in Ramayana as Niranjana), it actually encompasses the historical village of Bodhgaya (about 11 km), the place where Buddha achieved enlightenment. It is not far from Patliputra (about 100 km), the ancient capital of Magadh and Maurya kingdom, or Patna, the present capital of modern Bihar province. Ancient cities of Vaishali, Rajagriha, Nalanda (about 70 km) are also close-by. It is surrounded by small rocky hills (Mangla-Gauri, Ram-Shila and Brahmayoni) by three sides and the river flowing on the fourth (eastern) side.