How much time you have spend there, but atleast three hour to see temple

What’s your question?

No ,it is similar to phone.Only camera and GoPro is allowed.If you take charger by mistake,they do screening and security check and won’t allow charger also.They will send you back to deposit it.The other idea of taking your picture with mahabodhi temple is hire photographer roaming within premises,they charge only Rs 50/ photograph .The service is so quick that as soon as you finish your visit vithin temple and come back ,they give you print of your picture.

camera size is OK. you need to pay some nominal fee. you will find medium size crowd but very discplile. During late evening..canvass for photography of temple and surrounding will be awesome in full moon .Weather will be pleasant after spring in March. The best time if you plan during Mahabodhi Festival.

Is there any special reasons to go there at 8pm? If you do you have little time for prayers and everything is in a rush.To escape darkness I'm already out by 6.30pm as it was already dark and I head off for dinner at Hotel Thathagat restaurant. Most people go to Bodhgaya for prayers and not sight seeing. Each time you go to the temple or leave the temple, you will be harassed by street vendors who are very persistent. You escape from one, another one will come after you. If you are local Indian you might escape but other foreigners they will block your way with their wares and ask you to buy. You can forget about walking meditation as you will meet scores of them. By the way, I went in early October and it was very hot. The Tibetan Om cafe was not opened yet.

Hi Sorry I am not aware of trains/bus running between Katihar and Gaya. Please check Indian railway website.

Yes, you pay for the 100 rupee camera fee. The temple opened very early. 5am if I'm not wrong.

I stayed at Root institute for wisdom culture a buddhist meditation center. They have a dormitory for men which is cheap and you can arrive late at night the guards at the gate can let you in if you book in advance and they know you are coming. A dorm is about 220 rupees for a bed. They have very good clean vegetarian diet there. I am not too familiar with other places in bodhgaya the only other place I stayed was kundan bazaar guest house. Since you are an Indian citizen you may be able to find cheaper prices than me as americans tend to get charged more for everything. There are many small guest houses closer to the temple that some people I met stayed but I am sorry I do not know any more information about them.There are many temples one can visit in Bodhgaya and that does not cost any money and many good inexpensive places to eat.