I came to India all the way from Yokohama as a Buddhist pilgrim- India is the birth place of our religion and it still preserves our holy sites in their pristine glory. I decided to start my pilgrimage with Bodhgaya, the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

From New Delhi I took a flight to Patna, the capital of the Indian state Bihar, and spent the night at a hotel. Early next morning, after breakfast, I set out for my destination. I hired a tourist cab and after driving for 105 kms through the streets occupied by cattle and buffaloes I arrived at Gaya. From Gaya it is only 7 miles to Bodhgaya and soon I was there.

I came across hundreds of visitors around the site, prostating and offering prayers in different languages. The air was filled a sacred ambience with people paying homage to Lord Buddha. I saw the Bodhi tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. It is considered as one of the oldest and the most venerated trees in the world. Below this sacred tree lies the Vajrasana-platform where Buddha performed his penance. This spot is described as the center of the Universe.

Then I went to the Mahabodhi temple which has an imposing 150 feet high tower, and contains a gilded image of Buddha. From the guide I came to know that the original shrine here is believed to have been raised by Emperor Ashoka. The temple has a beautiful stone railing around it. I studied every scene from Buddha's life which are depicted on the walls of the temple. The gold, bronze and stone images of Buddha which are preserved in the museum left me wonderstruck.

I also visited the Tibetian, Japanese and Burmese monasteries located around the site. The Tibetan monastery houses the massive Dharma Chakra or the wheel of law. I stayed for the night at a Japanese monastery and where the monks gave me a vital discourse on Buddhism.

I’m no good as the 7th century Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang who, in his accounts, gave a detailed description of Bodh Gaya. This is just an ordinary pilgrim’s effort to share his experiences with the world- there is nothing artistic or literary about it.