The caves in Dungeshwari Hills are said to have protected Lord Buddha before he descended to Bodh gaya
Before descending to the sacred town of Bodh gaya, it is believed that this is the same cave (also called the Mahakala caves), which protected Lord Buddha for six years, before he travelled to Bodh Gaya for attaining enlightenment These caves now house several temples which are widely visited by pilgrims who follow the trail of Lord Buddha’s journey.
The caves here have Hindu and Buddhist shrines and some people are attracted to this place because of the sheer energy they believe the place generates, because of its association with Lord Buddha. Getting to the Dungeshwari cave temples is relatively easier from Gaya rather than travelling up from Bodh gaya, since the latter is usually overcrowded with locals and travellers. Since there’s not much distance to be covered, one can take a rickshaw directly to the caves.
Dungeshwari Hills are located at a distance of about 12-15 kms from Gaya, along the Falgu river. Chinese pilgrim Hiuen Tsang has mentioned these hills in his travelogue. The hills are most famous for the cave temples where Lord Buddha is said to have meditated before arriving in Gaya for his enlightenment.
The caves might lack visual appeal but offer a surreal experience for those who let the transcendental energy take over their conscience. One of the cave temples is dedicated to the Hindu goddess, Dungeshwari.
Sujata Stupa-
We know Sujata of the Buddhist era as the woman who gave a new life and a balanced view of life to the dying Buddha by feeding him kheer due to rigorous penance. According to legend, Sujata offered a bowl of kheer to the Buddha, when she saw Buddha getting free from meditation, Buddha realized the futility of self-denial and accepted the woman's offer to eat kheer. It is believed that the food not only gave strength to the Buddha but also inspired him to follow the middle path. Apart from this, there is a lot about the life and end of Sujata in Buddhist texts. Sujata Stupa is located in Bakraur district of Gaya district. It is believed that this stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka.