Gaya district of Bihar has a picturesque hill about 12 km northeast of Bodh Gaya. It is known as the Dungeshwari hill. The Dungeshwari hill is associated with Buddhist circuit as well as Hindu circuits. It is a major center of people’s attraction. There is an ancient cave on top of it. There is a temple in this cave. This cave is also called Mahakal Cave and Prague Bodhi Cave. Thousands of Buddhist devotees come here during the tourism season, while there is a huge crowd of people from Hindu community in Navratri and Sawan months.
Gautama Buddha meditated in this cave for 6 years before going to Bodh Gaya. A special statue of Lord Buddha is also kept here. There is an interesting story behind the existence of the cave temple, stating that Gautam Buddha became extremely weak during his penance. Then a woman named Sujata of a nearby village fed him kheer. It is believed that Lord Buddha got knowledge of the medium path from here.
Originally it is a cave associated with Hinduism, known as Dungeshwari Devi. This cave is one of the most beautiful temples built on the mountain. Statues of Hindu deities including Lord Buddha are installed here. There is a special statue of Lord Buddha here. They remain here in a skeletal structure in a state of meditation. Chinese traveler Xuansang has also mentioned this cave in his travelogue. The Buddhists coming to Bodh Gaya must see the Dungeshwari temple. Because it is believed that until they come to this temple, their journey will not be successful. Here you will experience immense peace and happiness. Siddharth went to Bodh Gaya only after penance on Dungeshwari hill where he received full knowledge.
There are stairs to reach the temple built in the cave of Dungeshwari mountain. Palki facility is easily available here for elderly tourists. The domestic and foreign tourists who come to Gaya also come to see the Dungeshwari hill. Chandan Kumar Pandey, the priest of this temple, says that this place is also called Prague Bodhi Cave. It is also associated with a Hindu circuit with a Buddhist circuit. He also told that earlier the name of this temple was Durgeshwari, which changed over time and came to be known as Dungeshwari. Mother Durgeshwari is sitting here since the beginning. This cave is made naturally. 2500 years ago, when Siddharth Gautam was going from Rajgir to Bodh Gaya in search of knowledge. Then he did penance in this cave for 6 years. It was here that he gained knowledge of the medium route. After joining the Buddhist circuit, now thousands of Buddhist devotees come here every year. This cave is also called Mahakal cave. Due to the idol of mother Durgeshwari since ancient times, people of Hindu community also come here in the months of Navratri and Sawan.