Wat Thai is a Thai monastery in Bodhgaya, Bihar, located 700 meters from Mahabodhi Temple and 1 kilometer from Bodh Gaya Bus Station. It is one of the most beautiful monasteries in Bodh Gaya and one of the must-see sights in Bodh Gaya, located near Maya Sarovar.

Wat Thai Buddhagaya, also known as Thai Monastery, was founded in 1956 by the Thai government in response to a request by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru to promote bilateral relations. The monastery was built with the intention of spreading Buddhist ideals to the general public. It is India's sole Thai temple. The area is brimming with tranquility and peacefulness, making it ideal for people seeking seclusion and a vacation from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Wat Thai Bodhgaya, known for its extraordinary architectural and spectacular beauty, is remarkably similar to Bangkok's temples, and is beautifully gilded and finely ornamented. The roof is slanted and coated with golden tiles. The interior of the temple holds a wonderfully crafted enormous bronze statue of Lord Buddha, making it one of Bodh Gaya's most magnificent monasteries. In the grounds adjacent the Wat Thai Temple, a 25-meter-high statue of Lord Buddha was just erected. There are also various pictures depicting Lord Buddha's life that have been engraved using Buddhist texts.

Wat Thai also offers meditation courses in the morning and evening. The monastery hosts silent retreats every January. More than a hundred individuals attend the retreat, and they all meditate and do yoga together. There is also a guest house on the monastery grounds for pilgrims comfort.

Location: Near Buddha Statue, Bodhgaya, Bihar, 824231, India

Timings: 6 AM - 7 PM

Time Required: less then 1 hour

Entry: No Entry Fee