DELHI- Tata Group-owned Air India (AI) has newly announced daily service to the spiritually significant city of Gaya (GAY), commencing operations on September 1, 2025.
The new route marks Gaya as Air India’s 46th domestic destination, offering seamless one-stop connections to and from major Southeast and Far East Asian cities through Delhi, enhancing accessibility to Bodh Gaya, one of Buddhism’s most sacred pilgrimage sites.
Photo: Clément AlloingAir India New Destination
Air India’s strategic expansion to Gaya represents a significant enhancement to India’s religious tourism infrastructure.
The daily service, operated with Air India’s Airbus A320 aircraft, will be the only full-service flying experience available on this route, providing premium comfort for both domestic travelers and international pilgrims.
The flights are specifically timed to facilitate convenient connections from key Asian destinations with significant Buddhist populations.
Travelers from Kathmandu (KTM), Hong Kong (HKG), Bangkok (BKK), Phuket (HKT), Singapore (SIN), Colombo (CMB), Kuala Lumpur (KUL), Seoul-Incheon (ICN), and Tokyo-Haneda (HND) can now access Bodh Gaya with just one stop in Delhi.
Air India Delhi to Gaya Flights
The carefully planned schedule allows for optimal connectivity:
- Flight AI429 (Delhi-Gaya): Departs daily from Delhi at 14:30 hours, arriving in Gaya at 16:05 hours
- Flight AI430 (Gaya-Delhi): Departs daily from Gaya at 16:40 hours, arriving in Delhi at 18:00 hours
The afternoon departure time from Delhi provides international travelers with sufficient connection time after arriving on morning flights, while the evening arrival back in Delhi allows for convenient onward connections to various international destinations.
Photo: Abhinav Sharma | PexelsSignificance for Buddhist Tourism
Gaya serves as the gateway to Bodh Gaya, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. This UNESCO World Heritage site attracts millions of Buddhist pilgrims and spiritual seekers annually from across the globe, particularly from Buddhist-majority countries in Asia.
Air India’s new service addresses the growing demand for convenient access to this sacred site, further cementing India’s position as a key destination for religious and cultural tourism. The enhanced connectivity is expected to boost visitor numbers to Bodh Gaya’s numerous monasteries, temples, and cultural sites.
Photo: Sandeep Pilania | atc spotterSacred Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites Across the Indo-Gangetic Plain
The Indo-Gangetic Plain spanning southern Nepal and northern India houses Buddhism’s most significant pilgrimage destinations. These sacred locations mark where Gautama Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, taught his disciples, and ultimately passed away. Today, these sites attract both Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims from around the world.
The Four Primary Pilgrimage Sites
Gautama Buddha himself designated four locations as most worthy of pilgrimage for his followers, stating these sites would inspire spiritual urgency:
Lumbini in present-day Nepal stands as Buddhism’s most sacred pilgrimage destination, marking where Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born. UNESCO recognizes this site as a World Heritage location due to its profound religious significance.
Bodh Gaya in Bihar, India, houses the Mahabodhi Temple, which protects what many believe to be a direct descendant of the original Bodhi Tree. Under this tree, Prince Siddhartha achieved enlightenment (Nibbana) and became known as Gautama Buddha.
Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh, India, marks where Buddha delivered his first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. Here, he introduced the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths, and the Noble Eightfold Path—foundational concepts of Buddhist philosophy.
Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh, India, represents where Gautama Buddha died and attained Parinirvana, completing his earthly journey.
The Extended Eight Great Places
Buddhist texts written by Buddha’s followers identify four additional sacred sites where miraculous events reportedly occurred. These locations complete what is known as “Attha-mahathanani” (Pali for “The Eight Great Places”):
Rajgir gained significance as the place where Buddha subdued Nalagiri, an enraged elephant, through his compassion and friendliness. This ancient Indian city sits near Nalanda, which later became a major center of Mahayana Buddhist learning.
Vaishali is where Buddha received an offering of honey from a monkey. This location served as the capital of the Vajjian Republic in ancient India.
Sravasti marks where Buddha performed the Twin Miracle, demonstrating his supernatural abilities. Buddha spent more time in Sravasti than any other location, as it constituted a major city in ancient India.
Sankassa represents where Buddha descended to earth after spending three months in Tavatimsa heaven, teaching the Abhidhamma to his mother.
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