India, being the land of the birth of Buddhism, is abundant with Buddhist Sites. The Buddhist Sites in India are revered and visited by Buddhist pilgrims. The researchers and other tourists also love to visit these places because of their cultural and heritage value.
The important Buddhist Sites in India are:
Lumbini
Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha, is 306 km from Kathmandu in Nepal. Maya Devi, Buddha's mother, gave birth to Buddha in 623 BC under a Sal tree in Lumbini while taking rest on the way to her parent's home in Devadaha. You must visit the Sacred Garden, Maya Devi Temple, Puskani Pond, Ashokan Pillar, Nepal Buddha temple and Lumbini Museum.
Bodh Gaya
Bodhgaya, the place where Prince Siddhartha attained 'Enlightenment' under a Bodhi tree after years of search for true knowledge and became the 'Buddha' or the 'Enlightened One', 13 km from Gaya in Bihar. You must visit the Mahabodhi Temple, a World heritage Site and the Bodhi Tree.
Sarnath
Sarnath, the place where Buddha preached his first sermon or Maha Dharma Chakra Pravartan (To Set in Motion the Wheel of Law) at the Deer Park, is 10 km from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Emperor Ashoka also paid visit to this holy site in 234 BC and erected a stupa to commemorate the event. Later, several Buddhist structures were raised here from the 3rd century BC to the 11th century AD. You must visit Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, Mulgandha Kuti Vihar and Sarnath Museum.
Kushinagar
Kushinagar, the place where Buddha attained the stage of Mahaparinirvana or Permanent Bliss at the age of 80, is 51 km from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. You must visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple, Nirvana Chaitya, Ramabhar Stupa and Matha Kuar Shrine.
Sankisa
Sankisa, the place where Buddha descended from heaven with Brahma and Devraj Indra after delivering discourses to his mother in heaven, is 47 km from Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh. You must visit the ruins of the fort, the Ashokan Pillar with Elephant Capital, Bisari Devi Temple and the statue of Buddha.
Vaishali
Vaishali, the place frequently visited by Buddha where he preached his last sermon, is 36 km from Muzzafarpur in Bihar. Emperor Ashoka has erected a lion pillar here to commemorate the event. You must visit Kolhua, Vaishali Museum, Raja Vishal ka Garh and Bawan Pokhar Temple.
Rajgir
Rajgir, the place where Buddha spent many years in delivering his sermons and converted Emperor Bimbisar to Buddhism at the Griddhakoota Hill is 15 km from Nalanda in Bihar. The First Buddhist Council was held at this very place. This place is also significant because the teachings of Buddha were written over here. You must visit Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Venu Vana Monastery and Griddhakoota Hill.
Sravasti
Sravasti, the place where Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons in the Jetavana Gardens, delivered sermons and performed some miracles, is 134 km from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. You must visit Temple No-2, Temple No-3 and Anand Bodhi Tree.
Ajanta
Ajanta, the place where 30 Buddhist caves were carved out into the granite rock along the Waghora River, is 100 km from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. You must visit the 30 caves of the World Heritage Site. Some of the caves are Viharas or Monasteries while the other are Chaityas or Worship Halls.
Ellora
Ellora, the place famous for Brahmanical, Buddhist and Jain Caves, 26 km from Aurangabad in Maharashtra. Constructed between 5th to 7th centuries AD, cave no 1 to 12 belong to Buddhist pantheon. You must visit the World Heritage Site to watch the beautiful rock-cut caves.
Sanchi
Sanchi, the place famous for Gupta temples, Buddhist monasteries and several stupas built between 3rd century BC and 12th century AD, is 68 km from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. You must visit the Temple No17, Stupa and the Site Museum at Sanchi.
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