6 Best Buddhist Tourist Places to Visit in Gujarat

The western part of India is home to some enchanting heritage and religious sites, letting us glimpse into the existence of a bygone era, making it the perfect place to explore on a religious tour. Known not only for its vibrant culture, colorful ambience, and warm people, Gujarat is also known for being a Buddhist pilgrimage center in the country. Housing numerous Buddhist caves, monasteries, stupas, and artifacts related to the Buddha, a Buddhist Circuit Tour of Gujarat will let you discover the beauty and spread of the religion in this region of the country centuries ago.

Explore the historic and religious sites related to Buddhism and the Buddha on a Buddhist Trail and walk amidst the spiritually blessed spaces that were once the haven of the most spiritually enlightened ones. Displaying important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Gujarat has several popular Buddhist caves that once functioned as abodes for Buddhist monks, cut out of pure rock, and carved, ever so beautifully. Witness serenity and spirituality on your tour of popular Buddhist places in the state and discover the true essence of Buddhism on your visit.

Here are some of the best places that must visit on a Buddhist Circuit Tour in Gujarat:

Ashoka’s Rock Edicts
Baba Pyare Caves
Khapra Kodiya Buddhist Caves
Devni Mori
Khambhalida Buddhist Caves
Vadnagar Buddhist Monastery

Ashoka’s Rock Edicts- Spreading the Teaching of the Buddha

An elaborate witness to the spread of Buddhism in this region of the subcontinent, Ashoka’s Rock Edicts are among the popular sites to visit on a Buddhist Circuit Tour of Gujarat. This rock edict in Gujarat’s Junagadh, carved by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka, is a vital part of its history and an important part of its heritage.

Written in Pali languages, the rock edict has carvings that talk about avoiding greed and animal sacrifice, and mentions universal moral values about kindness, and gratitude as well, along with mentions of the Buddha that make it a revered site for the followers of Buddhism. The rock, although reflecting the morals of the Emperor Ashoka, it also serves as a reminder of a ruler that left his life of violence and bloodshed behind him and followed the teachings and way of life of the Buddha.

Although, the main inscriptions on the rock edict belong to that of Emperor Ashoka, there can be seen other inscriptions ordered by later kings as well. Built around 2,300 years ago, the Ashokan edict at Junagadh is carved on a huge boulder, forming one of the popular destinations for Buddhist Tourism in Gujarat. An important marker that represents the spread of Buddhism in the region, the rock edict is an essential part of Gujarat’s Buddhist Trail.

Baba Pyare Caves- 3 Storeys of Carved Caves

Counted among the popular ‘Junagadh Group of Caves’, the Baba Pyare Caves in Gujarat’s Junagadh are some of the best places that you can visit on a Buddhist Circuit Travel of Gujarat. Lying along the Uparkot Fort, the Baba Pyare Caves once housed Bhikkus, or monks who lived with the help of alms. Baba Pyare Caves, although are among the popular Buddhist Caves in the region, are essentially not natural caves at all. These are man-made in nature and consist of different segments such as chambers, prayer halls, and pillars, with carvings that depict Buddhist ideology and symbolism along the walls and ceilings of the structure. Dating back to the 2nd and 3rd centuries CE, these caves were a sacred place for Buddhist monks for a while.

A place that was home to numerous spiritually enlightened beings, the Baba Pyare Caves are sites of historic and religious importance for the followers of Buddhism, making it today an important destination on the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour of Gujarat. Divided over 3 storeys, there are a total of 13 rooms that have been carved out of pure rock. Baba Pyare Caves, which were initially the abode of Buddhist monks were later also occupied by Jain ascetics as well, glimpses of whose existence can be seen in the cave’s artworks.

Khapra Kodiya Buddhist Caves- Fascinating and Functional Set of Rock Caves

A top pilgrimage center in Gujarat’s Buddhist Circuit, the Khapra Kodiya Buddhist Caves are a sight to behold. Lying along the Uparkot Fort, these caves are part of the ‘Junagadh Group of Caves’, forming an important religious and heritage site for Gujarat’s Junagadh. Carved into huge rocks, these are man-made caves constructed to be used as the living quarters of Buddhist monks, centuries ago. The earliest of these caves date back to the 3rd and 4th centuries CE, and can be recognized by their more plain appearance unlike the rest. Structures that make up the caves include a stepped water tank that stored rainwater, and the living chambers of the monks, recognized by a ‘L’ shaped wing.

The caves, though much plainer in their visuals, offer much insight into their construction and history due to the many scribbles and writings found on the walls within the living quarters of the monks. A famous religious center that falls among the Buddhist Circuit in Gujarat, these caves are a witness to the prosperity and spread of Buddhism back in the day, even in this region of the subcontinent. Considered to be among the first settlements of Buddhists in the area, these caves are important pieces of heritage for Gujarat and are a prime destination that visitors from around the world come to explore.

Devni Mori- Preserving the Relics of the Buddha

Gujarat’s Devni Mori is an archaeological site that excavated numerous artifacts related to Buddhism and the Buddha as well. A fascinating place to explore during your visit to Gujarat's Buddhist Circuit, Devni Morni was discovered in 1958, when it brought up Buddhist artifacts such as terracotta sculptures, relics, caskets, coins and artworks, displaying the style of the particular era they were created in. Devni Mori is also the site of a Buddhist Stupa, said to house 9 images of the Buddha, along with numerous Viharas, or living quarters made for Buddhist monks. What makes Devni Mori a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site though is the discovery of an ancient casket.

Found at the site, the casket was found along with an inscription that points to it containing the bodily relics of the Buddha, making Devni Mori a top pilgrimage center for the followers of the Buddha. Also found at the site is a Buddhist monastery dating back to the 3rd and 4th centuries CE as well. The existence of a stupa, monastery, religious artifacts, as well as the casket supposedly containing the relics of the Buddha are some of the reasons that make it a top place in the Buddhist Circuit Trail of Gujarat.

Khambhalida Buddhist Caves- Carved Out of Pure Limestone

Carved beautifully into limestone rocks, the Khambhalida Buddhist Caves in Gujarat are among its popular Buddhist caves. A total of 15 caves, they display intricately sculptured art of Bodhisattvas, Avalokitesvara, and Vajrapani, important figures in the world of Buddhism. The figure to the left is of Padmapani, who is among the 108 avatars of Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva, with a female companion and attendants, while the one on the right shows Vajrapani with attendants. Although the existence of these caves dates back to the 4th century CE, they have been discovered as recently as in 1958. The caves, otherwise also known as Rajkot Caves, have 3 major caves, where the central cave, known as the ‘Chaitya Griha’ is the more elaborate one and a stupa in ruin as well. The presence of the spiritually enlightened beings who roamed these caves and meditated amidst its premises is what makes these caves in Gujarat, a popular Buddhist pilgrimage destination.

A group of beautifully and artistically carved Buddhist caves, these structures are important pieces of heritage for the state of Gujarat and the followers of Buddhism equally, forming the foundation of Buddhist religious tourism in the state. Explore the architectural marvel of these caves as you experience the good vibrations and the positivity of this place on your visit.

Vadnagar Buddhist Monastery- A Site of Buddhist Past

Gujarat’s Vadnagar is among the archaeological sites where important Buddhist artifacts and structures have been discovered, giving the region a spot-on Gujarat’s Buddhist Circuit. Unearthed after centuries, Vadnagar has brought to light a major Buddhist monastery, a silent witness to the spread of the religion in the area. Said to have been constructed approximately between the 2nd and 7th centuries CE, the Vadnagar Buddhist Monastery is an important piece of heritage. The monastery, in its peak days, consisted of 2 votive stupas, a central courtyard, and around 9 cells, designed in a pattern resembling the swastika. What began in 1992 with the discovery of an idol of a Bodhisattva, led further excavations for Vadnagar to be labeled as a major center of Buddhism in Gujarat with later discoveries of stupas, structures, and the Buddhist monastery itself.

Although, the structures are said to be of different cultural eras, they are believed to be from the Mauryan Period to that of the British era as well. Presenting a fascinating collection of Buddhist architecture and artifacts, Vadnagar is among the best places to travel on a Buddhist Circuit Tour in Gujarat, offering a chance for you to witness the structures of the bygone time, and experience the spirituality of years of Buddhism in the region for yourself.

What began as a way of life unlike any other, almost 2,500 years ago, is today among the major religions in the world. In India, and the subcontinent, the spread of this religion can be seen in the works and architectural contributions by various kings, most notable among whom is the Mauryan Emperor, Ashoka. With popular Buddhist caves, monasteries, stupas, artifacts, and even bodily relics of the Buddha himself, Gujarat has some fascinating pilgrimage sites for you to explore on a Buddhist Circuit, where places like Junagadh and Vadnagar are some of its gems, reflecting the importance and spread of Buddhism in the region.