Tourists and devotees visiting Bodh Gaya during the upcoming tourist season of 2026-27 are likely to benefit from a new ropeway facility that will provide access to at least the middle of the Dhungeshwari hills. This area houses the ancient Mahakala cave temple, which features a statue of Buddha.
Construction Progress and Trial Timeline
Construction work on one section of the ropeway project is nearing completion, and its trial is expected to take place before the onset of the upcoming tourist season in Bodh Gaya. Once fully operational, this will be only the second ropeway after Rajgir to become active at a site on the Buddhist circuit in southern Bihar. Additionally, work on two more ropeways, including those at Pretshila and the Brahmayoni hills in Gaya district, is also in progress.
Improved Accessibility for Visitors
Previously, visitors had to climb steep steps to reach the cave temple at Dhungeshwari. A recently constructed motorable road close to the cave temple has already made access easier for visitors. The ropeway is expected to further enhance connectivity and provide a more convenient journey to the cave temple. The project, being developed at an estimated cost of around Rs 16 crore, aims to improve access to this prominent Buddhist pilgrimage site near Bodh Gaya.
Technical Details of the Ropeway
Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation (BSTDC) junior engineer Shashi Bhushan Kumar, who is supervising the ropeway project, said, “The one section ropeway, which is nearing completion, is 309 metres long. Once the trial becomes successful and the ropeway becomes fully operational for tourists, there will be a facility for 12 persons to go uphill and come downhill at a time. Two trolleys, each with a capacity of six persons, will be made operational in the first section.” He added, “However, before opening the first section for normal operation, nearly a month-long trial will be conducted to ensure proper safety norms. The second section, from the cave temple up to the top of the hill, is around 200 metres. A survey of the second section too has been done. After the first section gets operational, work on the second section will be expedited.”
Historical and Religious Significance
Tourist Guide Association of Bihar president Rakesh Kumar said, “Dhungeshwari hills, also known as Pragbodhi hills, have two ancient caves, also known as the Mahakala caves, where Buddha is believed to have practiced meditation for nearly six years before attaining enlightenment under the Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya. A golden statue of Buddha has been installed in the cave, where Buddhist devotees offer prayers. The caves fall at the centre of the bottom and top of the hill. There are some ancient brick stupas on the top.”
