Sometimes you find the answers and reasons you were looking for among landscapes you've never seen before, colours you didn't know existed, and lives you didn't know could be lived. A holiday, journey, or travel can thus provide answers to questions you didn't even realise you were asking. A visit to the top Gautam Buddha places in India can take you on such an enlightening tour.
Synonymous with peace, meditation, and spirituality, Buddhism is one of the world's oldest and most widely practised religions. And, because Gautam Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, spent many years of his life in India, there are some beautiful Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India for you to visit. These sites, which have great religious significance and exude divinity, are visited by pilgrims and historians from all over the world. So, if you're looking for inner peace and serenity, the following ancient Buddhist sites in India are a must-see.
Check out these Must Visit Lord Buddha Places in India
Bodh Gaya, one of India's top Buddhist pilgrimage sites, is a must-visit destination for both pilgrims and tourists. Siddhartha Gautama sat in meditation under the Bodhi tree here for 49 days after giving up his princely life to practise asceticism. A red stone slab under the Bodhi tree is where Buddha meditated for many days.
Bodhgaya is also well-known for its famous Mahabodhi Temple, which houses a massive statue of Gautam Buddha in deep meditation. Buddhists and tourists interested in Lord Buddha's life and teachings visit the temple. Since 2002, the revered Mahabodhi Temple has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit the Niranjana River, Buddha Statue, Japanese Temple, and Thai Temple on your Bodhgaya Buddhist Tour.
Rajgir is thought to be one of Buddha's favourite places. Buddha delivered two of his most famous sermons in Rajgir. The first Buddha council was held here in the Saptparni cave, and two of the most important sutras, the Prajnaparamita and the Lotus Sutra, were given on the Gridhakuta hill.
The white Shanti Stupa with all four gold Buddha statues is quite a sight to behold. This location is also well-known among Jainism followers.
Nalanda, located in modern-day Bihar, was once a well-known centre of learning in India. Historians believe it was one of the world's first residential universities, as well as the greatest centre of learning in the ancient world and a renowned Buddhist Monastic University or Mahavihara. Nalanda is a popular destination for historians and archaeologists alike due to its rich heritage if you want to discover the secrets of this ancient city, board The Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train for the ultimate Nalanda Buddhist tour.
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with numerous compounds, dormitories, temples, meditation halls, a library, and other educational infrastructure. Visit the Nalanda Ruins, the Nalanda Archaeological Site, and the Nalanda International University as part of your Nalanda Buddhist tourism package.
Sarnath, near Varanasi, is one of India's most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites. This small town is where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon five weeks after attaining enlightenment. If you are planning a religious trip, the town has many ancient Buddhist sites as well as other places of spiritual significance. There are numerous places to visit in Sarnath, ranging from Gautam buddha stupas and temples to museums and excavating ancient sites.
This tranquil town has some ancient monasteries and stupas that add a distinct charm and make it a must-see. Among the popular Gautam Buddha stupas are Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, and Ashoka Pillar. It is also known for its magnificent Buddha Poornima Celebrations every year.
Kushinagar in Gorakhpur is very important to Buddhists because it is the location where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. After Lord Buddha died, Emperor Ashoka constructed a Stupa here to mark the exact location of his Mahaparinirvana. The Stupa, also known as the Mahaparinirvana Temple, features a 6-foot-long statue of Lord Buddha reclining on the right side. This Buddha temple has made Kushinagar a popular pilgrimage destination in the country.
Kushinagar also has Ramabhar Stupa, a 49-foot-long stupa in the shape of a large brick mount. This stupa was constructed on the site where Buddha was cremated. Wat Thai Temple, Matha Kuar Shrine, and numerous small temples and monasteries run by Buddhist nationals are also located in this religious town.
Sravasti was the ancient Kosala kingdom's capital and is sacred to Buddhists because it was here that Lord Buddha performed his greatest miracle to confound the Tirthika heretics. Among these miracles is Buddha's creation of multiple images of himself, a popular theme in Buddhist art. The town hosted Buddha for 27 years and served as his annual rainy season retreat.
The well-preserved ruins have a meditative atmosphere about them, and among them stands an ancient Bodhi Vriksh (tree). The massive World Peace Bell in Shravasti, built with Japanese assistance, is said to convey the message of humanity through its tolling.
There are several places in India which are an important part of Gautam Buddha’s life like Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Sarnath, Kushinagar, and Sravasti among many others.
With IRCTC Buddhist Circuit Train you can visit Mahabodhi Temple, the Niranjana River, the Thai Temple, the Japanese Temple and Buddha Statue.
The most comfortable and convenient way to travel to Gautama Buddha places is through IRCTC Buddhist Circuit Train. The train takes you on an 8-day journey to all the places related to the life of the enlighted one, Buddha. You can book your journey at www.irctcbuddhisttrain.com
No, Gautama Buddha is not born in India. His birthplace is Lumbini, Nepal. You can visit Lumbini on a Buddhist Circuit Train Tour.
Some of the places which you can visit in Kushinagar are Mahaparinirvan Temple, Rambhar Stupa and Mata Kutir Temple.
Yes, Buddhist Circuit takes its guests to the Indian Winder of the world, the Taj Mahal at the end of their journey. Book your journey today at www.irctcbuddhisttrain.com to witness this marvellous beauty!