Whether you are a devout Buddhist looking to pay homage to the Lord Buddha at spots associated with his life or an ardent traveler curious about the history of Buddhism, India offers many Buddhist places to visit. These include ancient stupas, monasteries and shrines directly associated with the Buddha and newer structures devoted to Buddhism.

Traveling to all the places associated with Buddhism in India can be difficult, especially when you don’t know where to start. The Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train takes you to the most important religious and heritage Buddhist sites across India and Nepal in a matter of eight days. During the eight-day tour, you will be provided with the necessary amenities to ensure a pleasant stay on board including AC cabins, restaurants, seating areas, and more.

Important Cities You Can Visit During Buddhist Sector Tour

Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists not only because it is the city where Buddhism was born but also because it is one of the places the Buddha asked his followers to go to for pilgrimage. It is the city where he gained enlightenment. The ancient city is dotted with many shrines, monasteries, and monuments, from ancient times and more modern ones.

The Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that marks the location of his attaining Nirvana. Its intricate engravings and arch motifs on the shikhara (tower) are noteworthy along with its height of about 52 m.

Rajgir

Rajgir boasts of a rich history as the first seat of power in the ancient Magadha kingdom and as a major hub for Buddhist pilgrims.

Venuvan is one of the main attractions as the site of the monastery built by the Maghadhan Emperor Bimbisara as his first offering to the Buddha. The Gridhakut Hill or the Vulture Peak was one of Lord Buddha’s favorite meditation sites, the spot where he set in motion his second wheel of law and the place of many of his inspiring sermons. Bimbisara’s jail was the site of the king’s imprisonment by his son.

Nalanda

Nalanda holds a special place in both Buddhist and Indian history as home to the ruins of Nalanda University.

The UNESCO World Heritage Site was once one of the greatest centers of learning in recorded history with students and scholars visiting from all over the world. The ancient university taught not only the Buddhist scriptures (both Mahayana and Hinayana) but also logic, grammar, theology, philosophy, and other subjects. Some of its massive buildings could seat 10000 students and its library consisted of three buildings, one of which had nine floors. Many of the relics associated with Nalanda’s proud history are housed at Nalanda's Archaeological Museum.

Sarnath

Sarnath is one of the most important Buddhist places to visit in the world because of its significance in Buddhism. It was the site of the Buddha’s first sermon, sanctified as the Maha Dharma Chakra Pravartan Sutra, after he gained enlightenment and one of the four places the Buddha tells his followers to take a pilgrimage for attaining merit and a noble rebirth.

Dhamek Stupa is the primary tourist attraction because it marks the spot of the sermon. It was founded by Asoka in 249 BCE and rebuilt later in the 5th Century AD. Other popular spots covered by us include the Sarnath Museum, Ashokan Pillar, and Mulgandha Kuti Vihar.

Lumbini

As one of the most comprehensive Buddhist tour packages in India, our itinerary includes Lumbini in Nepal as well. The city is of great importance in Buddhism as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama and also one of the four places he asked his followers to set off on a pilgrimage to.

The main attractions of the destination include the Maya Devi Temple and the Ashokan Pillar. The Maya Devi Temple, named after the Buddha’s mother Queen Maya Devi also marks his place of birth. It is situated within the premises of the Lumbini Gardens, next to the sacred Mayadevi or Pushkarni pond where he was first bathed after his birth. Many ancient remains of stupas and bricked structures can be found here.

Kushinagar

Kushinagar constitutes the fourth of the four places the Buddha told his followers to take a pilgrimage to. It is the city where he delivered his last sermon, attained ultimate salvation, and was cremated.

The site of his gaining the supreme state of salvation is marked by the Mahaparinirvana Temple, one of the most sacred shrines for Buddhists. It houses a reclining statue of the Buddha that represents his last moments and is 6.10 m long. The Ramabhar Stupa marks the location where his body was cremated, standing 50 feet high. The Matha Kuar Temple houses a magnificent 3.05 m tall Buddha statue depicting him under the Bodhi tree.

Sravasti

Sravasti has a deep connection to the Buddha as the city where he spent 24 rainy seasons. The ancient capital of the Kosala Kingdom has been identified with the remains of Saheth-Maheth. One of its prime attractions is the Jetvana Vihara, where pilgrims from around the world meditate and pray. The Buddha would stay at the now ruins of Anandakuti and Gandhakuti during his visits to the Vihara.

Pakki Kuti is another important attraction, referred to by the Chinese traveler Fa-hien & Hiuen Tsang & also by Cunningham as the remains of the stupa of Angulimala, the ruthless dacoit turned devout follower of the Buddha and monk.

Other Spectacles On The Buddhist Tour Itinerary

Varanasi

On the fourth day of the journey, tourists are given a boat ride on the River Ganges and witness thousands of locals and pilgrims take part in the Hindu ritual of Evening Aarti for the river.

Agra

On the eighth day of the Buddhist tour itinerary, passengers are taken on an excursion to the world-famous Taj Mahal in Agra.

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