As the land of Buddha, India has many sites of import to Buddhism for both religious and historic purposes. And you can find many of the sites of the Buddhist Circuit in UP, including two of the holiest pilgrimage places mentioned by the Buddha to his followers. The serenity, architecture and positive environment of these stupas, shrines and monuments leave visitors amazed.

IRCTC’s Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train takes you to the most important Buddhist religious and heritage locations across Uttar Pradesh, India and even neighbouring Nepal. All sorts of top-class amenities have been included in the train to ensure a smooth and comfortable journey.

Book a journey to explore the Buddhist Circuit in India before the slots run out!

Buddhist Circuit Places To Visit In Uttar Pradesh

The Indian state of Uttar Pradesh is home to many places once visited by the Buddha and sacred Buddhist stupas, monasteries, shrines and stupas, some of which date back to the days of the Buddha himself. He spent much of his life in the region with the spots of his first and last sermons located in the state.

Sarnath

Located close to Varanasi, Sarnath is one of the most sacred pilgrimage locations for Buddhists all over the world because this is the city where the Buddha gave his first sermon after his enlightenment. It is littered with many Buddhist Circuit Places you must visit via the Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train.

Top Attraction: Dhamek Stupa

Marking the spot where the Buddha is said to have given his first sermon, the Dhamek Stupa is a solid and cylindrical structure made partly with bricks and partly with stone. It was built in 500 CE to replace a structure constructed on the orders of the great Mauryan Emperor Asoka in 249 BCE. The 43.6 m high stupa has been enlarged on six occasions with the upper part incomplete. Carved figures of humans and birds along with Brahmi inscriptions can be found on the walls.

Kushinagar

Named after Kush, the son of Lord Rama, the ancient city of Kushinagar is an important archaeological site from the perspective of Indian heritage. It also holds a special significance in the Buddhist Circuit of India because this is the city where the Buddha attained the supreme state of salvation. The town has many important sites related to Buddhist history and heritage like the Mahaparinirvan Temple, Rambhar Stupa and Matha Kuar Shrine.

Top Tourist Attraction: Mahaparinirvan Temple

Located amidst the ruins of various ancient monasteries, the Mahaparinirvan Temple is not only Kushinagar’s prime tourist attraction but also one of the most important stops on the Buddhist Circuit Map because it marks the location where the Buddha attained ultimate salvation. According to the inscriptions found in the ruins, state that the Buddha’s remains are deposited there.

The temple is famous for its 6.1 metres long statue of the Buddha reclining on its right side with the face towards the west and right hand under the head. This is said to be the depiction of the sunset of his life. The statue rests on a pedestal with engravings of three humans.

Sravasti

Once the capital of the ancient Kosala Kingdom, Sravasti has been identified with the remains at Saheth-Maheth. Buddhists revere the city because the Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons here. The Buddha performed some of his most confounding miracles here such as creating multiple images of himself and the twin miracle of emanating fire and water from his body. Jetvana Vihara and Pakki Kuti are among Sravasti’s most popular sites.

Jetavana Vihara

Jetavana Vihara is named after Prince Jeta, the son of the King of Sravasti, Presenjit. Sudatta built a seven-storied vihara whose grandeur was commented upon by travellers from China. Jetavana still attracts pilgrims from worldwide, who pray and meditate in its serene atmosphere. The ruins of Anandakuti and Gandhakuti once hosted the Buddha during his visits to the vihara and still exude an aura of divinity.

A must-see spot here is the sacred Anandabodhi tree, which was transported here in the form of a cutting from the Bodhi tree located in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Interestingly, the Sri Lankan Bodhi tree grew from a sapling from the original Bodhi Tree in Bodh Gaya.

Other Activities on Buddhist Train at UP

Ganga Aarti

You can witness the grand evening aarti in Varanasi at the ghat of the Ganga River.

Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal in Agra is the last site on the journey before the train returns to Delhi.

Visit these attractions and more via IRCTC’s Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train.

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