Bodhgaya, Bihar
Root Institute for Wisdom Culture
Buddhist meditation courses and quiet retreats in Bodhgaya
Details checked on the official site, October 2026 · We never take bookings or commissions
Root Institute is an FPMT Tibetan Buddhist centre about 2 km outside central Bodhgaya, the town of the Mahabodhi Temple where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. In the winter season it runs introductory meditation courses, teachings and group retreats, and it offers simple rooms for pilgrims and personal retreats year-round.
FPMT Buddhist centre on the quiet edge of Bodhgaya
Introductory meditation courses through the winter season
Quiet gardens, stupas and a Dharma library
By donation
pay what you can
- Stay
Recommended donations for rooms aren't listed online; vegetarian meals cost extra
Courses here are free or by donation. Never pay an agent or another website to book.
Indicative. Checked on the official site, October 2026.
Before you book
Arrival
Fixed courses, or arrive any day
Couples
Couples can share a room
Phones
Not stated: ask the retreat
Food
Vegetarian food
Booking
Book online
Taxes
Not stated: ask the retreat
Great for
- spiritual seekers
- first-timers
- budget travellers
- solo travellers
Maybe not for
- Anyone who needs to stay reachable by phone
Good to know before you go
- Course season runs roughly November–February; summer tops 40°C
- Bihar is a dry state; centre precepts include no intoxicants and celibacy
- Couples can share a room for up to 14 days, but not during courses
Programs & stays
Rooms: Single, double and triple rooms (some with private bath), retreat houses and 3–11 bed dorms
Program names and lengths change. Check the retreat's calendar for current dates.
When to go
Best Nov–Feb. Nov–Feb is the course season (mid-Dec–Jan nights are very cold); no Dharma programme May–Aug
- Winter · Dec–Feb
Getting there
Nearest airportGaya (GAY), ~30 min drive
By trainGaya Jn, ~30 min drive
- ~560 km from Kolkata, best to fly
- ~1,200 km from Delhi NCR, best to fly
- ~1,420 km from Hyderabad, best to fly
- ~1,870 km from Chennai, best to fly
Researched from the retreat's official website and public sources. Details change, so confirm prices, dates and policies with Root Institute for Wisdom Culture before booking.
- Photo: Sumita Roy Dutta, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Sumitsurai, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: Yogi Madhav, Unsplash
- Photo: Olga Pukhalskaya, Unsplash
Run Root Institute for Wisdom Culture? Claim this listing to correct details and answer questions as the official team.
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