6 Best Buddhist Places to Visit in Nepal

Nicely placed in the heart of the Himalayas, Nepal boasts amazing landscapes of majestic mountains, calm valleys and a rich variety of cultural, and religious heritage. Nepal is the birthplace of Gautma Buddha and his life circuit is made up of a number of recognized Buddhist pilgrimage sites. The Nepal Buddhist Circuit tour is a pilgrimage journey that educates you more about the life and teachings of the Buddha by visiting important landmarks associated with Buddhist.

The historical sites within Nepal’s Buddhist circuit, considered as an essential part of the country’s religious and heritage tourism, include Stupas, Monasteries, Caves, and historic temples that represent the core values of Buddhism in Nepal. Buddhism has been practiced in Nepal for more than 2000 years, during which time it has become ingrained in the political, social, and cultural landscape. This religion was introduced and spread to Nepal approximately during the time of Buddha’s life between 563 BC and 483 BC.

As you set out on your Nepal Buddhist pilgrimage tour, you’ll learn the tranquility and spirituality of Buddhism and see some of the best Buddhist Pilgrimage sites.

These are the top 6 popular Buddhist Pilgrimage destinations that you definitely have to visit in Nepal.

Lumbini
Tilaurakot
Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey temple)
Boudhanath Stupa
Namobuddha
Kopan Monastery

Lumbini- The Birthplace of Lord Buddha

There’s no question that Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha Siddhartha Gautama, is the most prominent Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal. This UNESCO world Heritage Site, located in the Rupandehi District, is the home to the Maya Devi Temple, which celebrates precisely the birthplace of Buddha. The complex of temples include multiple Buddhist temples built by different nations, as well as a sacred pool. The prominence of the location is confirmed by the Ashoka Pillar which was constructed in the 3rd century BCE by Emperor Ashoka as a memorial.

The tranquil Lumbini Garden is an essential component of Buddhist Pilgrimage in Nepal since it is ideal for meditation and prayer. For visitors on Nepal Buddhist Circuit Tour, Lumbini is the must visit site because it is the epicenter of Buddhist tourism in the country.

Tilaurakot- Ancient Capital of the Shankya Kingdom

Tilaurakot is about 25 kilometers west from Lumbini in Kapilvastu district of Nepal, which is believed to be the childhood place of Lord Buddha and the ancient capital of the Shakya Dynasty.

This place gives you the pre-enlightenment life of Lord Buddha with the features of remains of places, temples and other buildings, and gives you an amazing window of Buddha’s childhood.

This is all covered with the ditch and a wall and believed that this was the most advanced city at that time. Tilaurakot is a very old city so the visitors see the ancient city and learn about the history and heritage of the Shakya Kingdom. Visitors can also see the remaining parts of the Lord Buddha and artifacts or relics related to the Shakya Kingdom in the Tilaurakot Museum. Tilaurakot is one of the top tourist destinations in Nepal and an important stop on the Nepal Buddhist circuit tour.

Swayambhunath Stupa- The Monkey Temple

One of the most famous Buddhist sites in Kathmandu is the Swayambhunath Stupa, also known as the Monkey Temple, which is situated on a hilltop. With a lasting history over 2,000 years built in the 5th Century by king Manadeva, this UNESCO World Heritage Site gives you the magnificent view of the Kathmandu Valley.

This site also includes the Vajra Yogini Temple, devoted to the goddess of Wisdom, and the Hrati Temple, dedicated to the goddess of Smallpox. Furthermore, there are a number of monasteries and meditation centers on the site where visitors can learn about Buddhism and participate in spiritual activities. This Stupa is a major attraction for the Buddhist travel in Nepal since it is surrounded by smaller Shrines and temples and is covered with prayer flags. The local monkeys increase the attraction making it a special place for Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours.

Boudhanath Stupa- One of the Biggest Stupas

Kathmandu’s Boudhanath Stupa, one of the largest stupas in the world, is an important stop for the Buddhist Pilgrimage tours. The stupa is the heart of the Tibetan buddhist in Nepal due to its enormous Mandala. Many Buddhist temples and monasteries surrounding the Stupa offer an in-depth knowledge of Buddhist customs and culture through daily rituals and prayers. The Boudhanath Stupa history was very old, more than 1500 years back and this Stupa was built in the 5th century by the Lichchhavi king, Shiva Dev.

There are several monasteries, especially the Shechen Monastery, and plenty of markets all around this UNESCO World Heritage site. A strong spiritual environment is developed around the stupa by pilgrims' prayer wheels that encircle the Stupa and the 108 little Buddha images that surround it. One of the best Buddhist places to visit in Nepal, Boudhanath is a must see on any Buddhist Pilgrimage tour.

Namobuddha- A Place Where Lord Buddha offers his own flesh

Namobuddha is located forty kilometers east of Kathmandu near Panauti in Kavre District, Namobuddha is an essential Buddhist pilgrimage site. According to the mythology this Namobuddha is the destination where the Buddha offered his own flesh to a famished Tigress and her cubs. This place is for the significance of spirituality and is considered a place for the Buddhist pilgrimage from all over the world. At this location the large Stupas, Shrines and a monastery where a tourist can see hundreds of monks and Nuns live and take a part in the meditation sessions are available.

The Tigress cave is a significant section of the Namo Buddha, but it’s challenging to find the cave’s specific space. So, because of this, they believe there are two caves, one is near to the hill and the second one is next to the monastery. This place is the most popular Buddhist pilgrimage destination because of the buddha relic that is buried beneath the Stupa.

Kopan Monastery- A Place for the Learning Buddhist Philosophy

Kopan Monastery reputedly as a center for Tibetan Buddhist study and meditation, Kopan Monastery is perched on a hill providing you sweeping views of the Kathmandu Valley. Kopan, which was established in the early 1970s by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, offers guidance in meditation and Buddhist philosophy.

This Buddhist site will give you the various types of buildings and monuments like smaller meditation halls and a larger prayer wheel. Kopan Monastery provides you the range for the programs that will give you short-term medication courses and larger retreats.

Apart from this Kopan Monastery also has a school for painting, Thangka Painting School, where the travelers can learn the traditional art of Thangka painting. You also visit the museum that displays the traditional Tibetan Artifacts and religious objects. The Monastery is a popular destination for anybody who is interested in Buddhism in Nepal. Because of its breathtaking views and lovely gardens, it is an essential part of the Nepal Buddha Circuit Tour as well.

Nepal is an Important center for Buddhists throughout the world, offering a diverse and rich Buddhist circuit that includes many holy pilgrimage sites. These Buddhist destinations provide you an insight into the life and teachings of the Buddha, but they also highlight the spiritual harmony and cultural diversity of Nepal. Each place tells a tale of faith and spiritual beauty, from the tranquil atmosphere of Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, to the enormous stupa of Boudhanath in Kathmandu. These places, which are a part of the well-known Nepal Buddhist circuit tour, offer evidence of the nation’s lasting Buddhist legacy for anyone planning a trip of Buddhism in Nepal.