Top 10 Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites in India

India is an abode to a considerable amount of Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites, that magnetize pilgrims and tourists alike for its divine settings, tranquil ambiance, spiritual allure and raw natural beauty. The nation nestles one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites that has history, spirituality, education, archaeology and artistry embedded with its enticing fabric. Such captivating attributes draws innumerable devotees, sightseeing enthusiasts, cultural aficionados and tourists seeking a tranquil retreat. To relish such multiplicity of characteristics, here are the top 10 must visit Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India:

• Bodh Gaya (Bihar)
• Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh)
• Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh)
• Rajgir (Bihar)
• Nalanda (Bihar)
• Vaishali (Bihar)
• Kapilavastu (Uttar Pradesh)
• Shravasti (Uttar Pradesh)
• Sankissa (Uttar Pradesh)
• Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh)

Bodh Gaya is a revered site and a place of worship for Buddhists, positioned in the Gaya district of Bihar in India. This place is cherished upon believing as a place where Gautama Buddha had attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.

• Interestingly, a significant shrine at Bodh Gaya called Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The architecture of this major attraction suggests an intricate Buddhist craftsmanship.

Sarnath is a sacred and among the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India, nestled near the confluence of the Ganga and Varuna rivers in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Sarnath is renowned for being a place where Gautama Buddha had first taught Dharma after obtaining enlightenment.

Revered settings like Mulagandhakuti Vihara Temple which is the main Buddhist temple of the town, Dhamek and Chaukhandi Stupa and other sites like Ashoka Pillar, Garden of Spiritual Wisdom and Sarnath Archaeological Museum are all the major attractions of Sarnath.

Kushinagar is in the fold of popular Buddhist pilgrimage destinations, positioned in Uttar Pradesh state of India. Kushinagar is renowned for being a place where Gautama Buddha had attained the release from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth, and said to have died dating back in 483 BC.

• Mahaparinirvana Temple is the most significant Buddhist pilgrimage sites that Kushinagar houses.
• The place is a home to numerous stupas, monasteries and temples like Japanese Temple, Wat Thai Temple, Matha Kaur shrine, Chinese and Korean temple. In addition to two important museums that includes Buddha Museum and Kushinagar Museum.

Rajgir is an ancient town located in the Nalanda district of Bihar and is associated with both Buddha and Mahavira, making Rajgir a historic Buddhist pilgrimage site as well as for Jainism community.

• The town is an abode of various monasteries and significant temples of both communal diversities.
• Following its cultural legacy, Rajgir is also famed for its hot springs which are believed to have medicinal properties.

Nalanda is among the historic Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India positioned in Bihar, cherished for housing Nalanda University. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and its history can be traced back to the 5th Century. Legend has it that, the university had been visited by Lord Buddha and said to have delivered his teachings for scholars from around the planet.

• The rich past suggests that students from countries like Tibet, China, Turkey, Greece, Persia and numerous others commuted here to attain learnings about Buddhism.
• Additionally, this Uni is an architectural marvel which is adorned by stupas, shrines and viharas (monasteries).

Vaishali is a historical town nestled in Bihar, celebrated for its rich legacy of both Buddhism and Jainism culture. The town derives its name from Vaishali city of Mahabharata and is said to be the birth ground of Lord Mahavira, who was the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.

For Buddhism culture, Vaishali town is believed to have been visited by Gautama Buddha several times, upon being a place for his frequent stops following his journeys.

Shravasti is an ancient district positioned in Uttar Pradesh state and is closely associated with the lives of Buddhists as well as Jains. For Buddhism, this district holds a vast importance, as this site is believed to be where Lord Buddha provided teachings and enlightened many sermons by performing miracles.

Intriguingly, the archaeological excavations have unearthed and recognised numerous remains of stupas, temples, monasteries along with many artworks that depicts the resemblance of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism culture in its elements.

Sunkissa is a historically and spiritually significant city in Buddhism culture, located in Uttar Pradesh state of India. The reason for being an immensely important site for Buddhists is because of ‘The Great Descent’ which is a big event in Buddhist cosmology, where Sankissa is believed to be a place where Gautama Buddha descended from the Tushita Heaven.

Over the period of time, King Ashoka took over Sankissa city and developed the expanse by building a stupa and a temple dating back during his reign in the 3rd century, along with installing a famed Ashoka Stambh.

Sanchi is a celebrated village for aboding ancient Buddhist architectures, positioned in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh state. Sanchi is a renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and draws pilgrims and tourists alike for its famed stupas, temples, monasteries and the very famous Ashokan Pillar.

• The Indian architectural brilliance is also captured by the Great Stupa, that has four gateways and is the most prominent among all the stupas.
• The village offers a fascinating glimpse into Buddhism’s past by housing a museum that exhibits items that were unearthed during excavation.

Kapilavastu is an ancient village nestled in the Siddharth Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. It is renowned as an archaeological site. Kapilavastu is also a Nepali district, both are closely related to the life of Lord Buddha.

• Upon the excavations, the site in Uttar Pradesh had unearthed relics like crystal, four soapstone caskets, bone fragments and other evidences that referred to Gautama Buddha.
• Additionally, Kapilavastu is a majorly important site for Buddhism culture, upon believing to be a birthplace of Gautama Buddha.

Wrapping up, India being a home to Buddhist pilgrimage sites isn’t only limited to religious significance, it is a fascinating amalgamation of spiritual enlightenment, tranquillity, serene natural beauty, life-altering teachings, brilliant craftsmanship, archaeology and eternal peace. Explore Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India, the doors of which doesn’t differentiate and divide, and are open for all.

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