"Bodh Gaya is a must for every Budhist " a Bodh Gaya Travel Page by gulshesh

Now if you are a budhist, or just interested in budhism, this place is an absolute must! This is the place where Budha found enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The great-great-great-great....grandchild of the original tree is located in the very heart of Bodh Gaya, with the famous Stupa right by itīs side. Go there on full moon, and youīll see 10ī000 candles burning at night, all over the temple area. A very breathtaking sight!
Every Country with Budhism has built at least one temple there, and my absolute favorite is the Butanese temple. The Butanese are famous for their sculptures, and they modeled Budhas life onto the walls, it is VERY impressive. If you want to live cheaply, drop into the burmese guest house (temple). Iīts on the street to Gaya.

As mentioned the Burmese temple is very Impressive. The Japanese built an enormous Budha-statue, but it lacks the creative spirit, because it was designed by a computer. The Chinese one is rather minimalistic, and the Tibetans built three temples, for every lineage one.
Infront of the main Stupa (with the Bodhitree) you can change your money from paper to coins, to give to the beggars, it increases your good karma. Youīll make a small loss of course. And please donīt get talked into buying chokolate for the kids, or milkpowder for the mothers with children. The mikpowder just getīs sold back to the shopowner, and the kids could do with a decent meal, instead of sugar.
The Mahakalla Caves arent too far away, and one can hitch a ride with a donkey-kart, wich is quite some fun.
The way up to the cave is a bit strenuous, not only because of the steepness of the slope, but also because of the beggars. Some of them are in a terrible state.

And if you are there for Holy, be prepared to give away your clothes afterwards, the riksha drivers will always aprechiate some "new" clothes. The people have enormous fun by throwing dyed water at people (especialy kids). It was hilarous!
But donīt leave the hotel or guesthouse befor 10 AM because the poorest people canīt afford the paint, so they use muck, and thatīs quite disgusting... but thereīs an unwritten law, that after 10 AM itīs not allowed anymore. And be warned, that pale westeners are favored targets, especialy if they are traveling on a donkey-kart (a slow-moving-target ! ).
The other thing to see is their New Years Eve. Itīs on a Full Moon, a few weeks after the 1. Jan. The people light up torches and have a procession up the Hill north of Bodh Gaya, a very nice sight.