Buddhist  Sector Tour

Bodhgaya
"Here on this seat my body may shrivel up, my skin, my bones, my flesh may dissolve, but my body will not move from this seat until I have attained Enlightenment, so difficult to obtain in the course of many kalpas".
Lord Gautam Buddha on Bodh Gaya before His enlightenment in 528 BCE.
Bodh Gaya is one of the four holiest places for the Buddhists around the world. It was at this place where the prince Siddhartha received the divine knowledge and became the 'enlightened' Buddha and entered into meditation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind. Situated in the southern Bihar, Bodh Gaya is often visited by the Dalai Lama and other Lamas (Buddhist religious heads) from Dharmashala, and thus, make it clear that it is not merely a historical site, but a vibrant centre of a living faith.

The Fact File
Country : India
State : Bihar
Location : 10 Kilometers from the holy city of Varanasi.
Climate : Summer (March to June) - Warm; Monsoon (July to August)- Warm; Winter (November to February) - Cool and Pleasant.
Best time to visit : October to February
Significance :One of the four holiest places for the Buddhists. Buddha got enlightenment at this place.
Languages : English, Hindi, Bhojpuri and Magahi
The most auspicious day of the year : Buddha Jayanti

Festivals in Bodh Gaya
Buddha Jayanti in Vaishakh Purnima in the month of May.
Sangha Dana on every Full Moon day.
Anagarika Dharmapala Birth anniversary on 17th September every year.
Boddhisatva Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti on 14th April.
The Revival day for Buddhism in Modern India on 14th October.
Peace prayer meetings every year in the month of October.

Major Buddhist Attractions
The Bodhi Tree : The Bodhi tree is an auspicious ficus tree, the fifth generation plant of the original one, under which prince Siddhartha had attained enlightenment or the perfect knowledge. Under the tree is the Vajrasan, the platform on which Siddhartha had sat in meditation. Close to Vajrasan is Buddhapada, the footprints of the Buddha on stone and Chaukramana, the Jewel Walk, where it is believed that the Buddha strolled while in deep thought. Many sacred trees in India and other countries are originally raised from seeds brought from the ancient Bodh Gaya tree. Bhikkhuni Sanghamitra, daughter of the Indian emperor, Ashoka had taken a shoot of the original Bodhi tree to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century BCE, where it was planted by the Sri Lankan ruler, Devanampiya Tissa at the Mahavira monastery in Anuradhapura, and is still a sacred place for the Buddhists.

The Maha Bodhi Temple : Bodh Gaya is the home to the ancient temple of Lord Buddha, located just east of the Bodhi tree. The temple's architecture is superb and has a beautiful stone railing around it. The Maha Bodhi temple has a 150 feet high tower, which contains a gilded colossal image of the Buddha in the 'bhumisparsha mudra' or touching the ground pose. The original shrine here is believed to have been raised by an Indian emperor Ashoka. Depicted on the walls of the temple are scenes from Buddha's life. The basement of the present temple is 15m square, 15m in length as well as in breadth and its height is 52m which rises in the form of a slender pyramid tapering off from a square platform. A museum in the vicinity has gold, bronze and stone images of the Buddha.
Lotus Tank : In the north of the Maha Bodhi temple lies a large tank full of lotus plant. The Buddha is believed to have spent a week at this site.
Shaivite Monastery : The Shaivite monastery is situated adjacent to the Maha Bodhi temple, and has a cluster of four temples. These temples are surrounded by enchanting greenery and marked by architectural marvels and have several 'samadhis' in their vicinity.
Other Monasteries : A number of Tibetan, Japanese and Burmese monasteries are located around the Maha Bodhi temple. The Tibetan monastery houses the massive Dharma Chakra or the Wheel of Law, while the Japanese monastery is famous for conducting vital discourse on Buddhism.
Bodh Gaya Museum : The Bodh Gaya museum fulfills the requirement of religious art lovers as it initiates one into the age of the Buddha's centered art forms. The museum houses artistic Buddhist sculpture collection from 1st century BCE to the 11th century CE.

Other Attractions
Jagannath Temple : The Jagannath temple is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva, and has a statue of the deity, carved in glistening black stone.

Nearby Attractions
Gaya and Barabar cave are two of the major attractions near the holy place of Bodh Gaya. Gaya is a place of religious sanctity for the Hindus and lies 12 kilometers from Bodh Gaya between Pretshila and Ramshila hills. It has a large number of the Buddhist temples. The Barabar caves are 32 kilometers away from Bodh Gaya and presents a vivid picture of the Buddhist architecture.

Shopping
A tourist can buy Bells, Books on Buddhism, Thangkas and Woolen clothes(By the Tibetans) from the local market of Bodh Gaya, which is situated around the temple.

How to Reach
Airways - Gaya, 12 kilometers away from Bodh Gaya, is the main access station to reach Bodh Gaya. Gaya owns an international airport, which connects it directly to Colombo and Bangkok.

Railways - Gaya has an important railway station with services from many parts of India.

Roadways -Gaya and Bodh Gaya, both are well connected by roadways to other major cities such as Patna, the state capital of Bihar and Ranchi, the state capital of Jharkhand. Bodh Gaya is connected to Gaya by regular and frequent transport services and can easily be reached within half an hour or so, as it is just 12 kilometers away.

Sarnath
Sarnath is the third major holy place that glorifies Buddhism. It was at Sarnath where Lord Buddha, after attaining enlightenment, gave his first sermon (Dharmachakra Pravartan) to his five disciples. The five disciples who had followed Him earlier in His quest for truth, were surprised to see the mesmerising glowing countenance of the Buddha, who convinced them and delivered His first sermon before them. Buddha preached the middle path to avoid extremes, the Four Noble Truths, and prescribed the Eight Fold path to remove the causes of sufferings. This sermon set in motion the great Buddhist tradition of the Sangha in order to popularise the Buddha's teachings throughout the world. Every Buddhist in the world feel blessed having paid a visit to Sarnath.

General Information
Country : India
State : Uttar Pradesh
Location : 10 Kilometers from the holy city of Varanasi.
Climate Winter : Cold (October to January)
Monsoon : Warm (July and August)
Summer : Hot (April to June)
Best time to visit : October to February
Significance : Lord Buddha preached his first sermon.
Languages : English and Hindi

Festivals in Sarnath Full Moon day of Vaishakha (April-May) celebrated as Buddha's birth and enlightenment. The Full Moon in the month of Asadh (July-August) rejoiced as the anniversary of Buddha's first sermon.

Major Buddhist Attractions

Dhamekha Stupa : Dhamekha Stupa signifies 'the seat of the holy Buddha' and occupies the space of the most prominent structure at Sarnath. This is the spot where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. The size of the Stupa is 31.3 meter in height and 28.3 meter in diameter, while its lower part has been beautifully carved with stones.

Other Buddhist Attractions

Choukhandi Stupa : The Choukhandi Stupa is believed to be the place where the Buddha met his five disciples, including his favourite, Anand.

Ashoka Pillar : The great Indian emperor, Ashoka, when converted into a Buddhist, paid a visit to the holy place of Sarnath. A smooth glistening stone pillar, known better as the Ashoka Pillar, commemorates Ashoka's visit of Sarnath. The lion capital that was found on the top of the Ashoka pillar is now the National Emblem of India.

Sarnath Museum : The Sarnath museum is the proud owner of the Buddhist artifacts, manuscripts, and statues.

Mulagandha Kuti Vihar : This is a modern temple built by the Mahabodhi society and has excellent frescoes by a famous Japanese painter, Kosetsu Nosu.

Bodhi Tree : Bodhi tree is another sacred place for the Buddhists as it originated from the sapling of the Sri Lankan Bodhi tree, which is also a branch of the original Bodhi tree (Bodh Gaya) under which the Buddha attained enlightenment in 528 BCE.

Other Attractions

Digambara Jain Temples : Besides Buddhist temples and monasteries, the holy city of Sarnath boasts of the Digambara Jain temples, a sacred place for the Jains. Besides, a statue of Lord Mahavira, there is a museum related to the life of the Jain 'teerthankars' in the temple's premises.

Nearby Attractions

Varanasi : Varanasi is situated on the bank of the river Ganges or the Ganga at a distance of 10 kilometers from Sarnath. Earlier known as Banaras, Varanasi is a holy place for the Hindus.

Shopping
Buddhist items and Banarasi Silk Sarees and Handloom clothes are the best buys of the place.

Mode of Trasnsport
Airways - Varanasi (Babatpur) is the nearest airport to reach Sarnath, from where one can hire a taxi or auto- rickshaw or can ride a bus to cover a short journey of 20 minutes.

Railways - One can take a train to Varanasi which is linked to all major cities of India.

Roadways - Taking up roadways is another major way to reach Sarnath, as it is well connected to Varanasi (10 km) and Gorakhpur by National Highway number 29.
In Sarnath, the transport available are autos, taxis and cycle rickshaws to go from one place to another.
 

Rajgir

Rajgir, which means 'the royal palace', is a place of great sanctity and significance for the Buddhists and Jains. Lord Buddha had delivered many of His sermons over here during His 12-years stay at Rajgir or Rajgriha. Situated 100 kilometers southeast of Patna, the state capital of Bihar, the city of Rajgir is also famous for health and winter resort with its warm water ponds.

General Information
Country : India
State : Bihar
Location : Southern Bihar.74 kilometers from Bodhgaya and 100 kilometers from Patna.
Climate Winter : Cold and Pleasant; Summer - Hot; Monsoon - Warm
Significance : Lord Buddha spent 12 years in Rajgir.
Languages : English, Hindi and Magahi(a regional language).
Must Eat in Rajgir : The famous 'Khaja'(a sweet) of Rajgir.
Buddhist Festival in Rajgir : Buddha Jayanti in the month of May.
Other Festivals in Rajgir : Malamasa Mela, Makar Sankranti and Rajgir Dance Festival.

Major Buddhist Attractions

Griddhakuta or Venture's Peak : The peak is a sacred site for the Buddhists as at this place, the Lord Buddha set in motion His second wheel of law and preached sermons to his disciples for three months in the rainy season. The peak also owns a massive modern Stupa, the Shanti Stupa, built by the Buddhist Sangha of Japan.

Venuvana : Venuvana Vihar is a historical and sacred monastery that was built by King Bimbisara for the Lord Buddha to reside.

Sattapani Caves : A sacred site where the first Buddhist council was convened in 483 BCE soon after the Buddha's death.

Jivika Mango Garden : This is the site of the royal dispensary, where Lord Buddha was brought to have a dressing of His wounds by the royal physician, Jivaka during the reign of Bimbisara.

Karnada Tank : Karnada tank is a sacred Buddhist site as it was here Lord Buddha used to have a bath.

Buddha's sculpture : The sculpture which depicts the 'Mahaparinirvana' or the 'great cessation' of the Buddha is another sacred Buddhist site. It shows the Buddha lying on His right side with the right forearm resting under His head to commemorate the final salvation or 'Mukti'.

Other Attractions

Hot Springs : Situated at the foot of the Vaibhava hill, the hot springs are filled with water coming from the seven streams or Saptadhara and believed to have a medicinal value. The springs flow out through several ceramic pipes set into the wall in a hall, where people can sit under it and have a bath, along with a a dip in the flowing spring.

Bimbisara Jail : Bimbisara jail is the spot, which was chosen by a devoted Mauryan Buddhist king Bimbisara (558 BCE - 491 BCE) to spend his last days. From this place, he could see the Buddha climbing up the Grihakuta hill to concentrate or meditate.

Pippala Cave : The Pippala cave is a natural cave or rather a rectangular stone located on the Vaibhava hill above the Hot springs and is also known as 'Jarasandha Ki Baithak'.

Jain Temples : Along with Buddhism, Jainism had also got patronage from the Mauryan kings. Bimbisara, who protected Buddhism in his state, was also friend of Mahavira, and so, gave protection to Jainism as well. Therefore, we find 26 Jain temples on the hill at Rajgir, some of which even dates back to the 5th century BCE.

Maraka Kushi : Maraka Kushi is a site, where the unborn foetus of Ajatashatru was cursed as patricide.

Ajatashatru's Fort : The Ajatashatru's fort is another place of tourist attraction. It was built by a Mauryan ruler Ajatashatru in the 6th century BCE.

The Swarna Bhandar : The Swarna Bhandar or the King Bimbisara's treasury, is another major tourist spot in Rajgir. Two cave chambers were hollowed out of a single massive rock, one of which is believed to have been the guards' room. The rear wall or the doorway which has two straight vertical lines and one horizontal line cut into the rock, is supposed to lead to king Bimbisara's treasury. The inscriptions etched on the wall in Sankhalipi or shell script could not be deciphered yet and considered to be the clue to open the golden treasury.

Lakshmi Narayan Mandir : Dedicated to the Hindu God Vishnu and His consort, Goddess Lakshmi, the Lakshmi Narayan temple is a pink-hued temple and stands beside the hot springs.

Nearby Buddhist Attractions

Bodhgaya : Bodh Gaya, one of the major holy places for the Buddhists, is just 46 kilometers away from Rajgir. It was at Bodh Gaya where Siddhartha Gautama got enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became Lord Buddha.

Nalanda : Nalanda, the home to the famous ancient learning centre, Nalanda University or the Buddhist monastery is merely 15 kilometers away from Rajgir.

Shopping
Some of the best buys in Rajgir are the local handicraft items, Religious Buddhist items, such as bells, statues, incense Sticks and beads.

How to Reach
Airways - The nearest airport is at Patna, the state capital of Bihar, 100 kilometers from Rajgir. The Patna airport is connected by both International and Domestic flights, from where one can either take a train to Rajgir or can even opt for the roadways.

Railways - Rajgir can also be reached by train as the nearest railhead is at Bakhtiyarpur on the Delhi-Howrah main line. From Bakhtiyarpur, one can reach Rajgir by road, 54 kilometers away. However, a loop line connects Bakhtiyarpur to Nalanda, 15 kilometers from Rajgir.

Roadways - Rajgir is connected by an excellent road to Patna(100 km) as well as to Bodh Gaya(46 km) and so, can be reached by a bus, coach or a private taxi or car.
 

The new version of the ancient Kaushambi, which was frequently adored by the Buddha, is one of the holy places for the Buddhists all over the world. The old site of Kaushambi, one of the six most prosperous Indian cities in the Buddha's period, was visited by the Buddha in the 6th and 9th years after having attained enlightenment. During His both the visits, Lord Buddha delivered several sermons at Kaushambi, thereby making it a center of learning for the Buddhists. Although the modern Kaushambi is only a shadow of its glorious past and not as highlighted and developed as it used to be, but still it is considered to be one of the major pilgrimages for the Buddhists.

General Information

Country : India
State : Uttar Pradesh
Location : 50 kilometers west of Allahabad, the state capital of Uttar Pradesh, with its district headquarter at Manjhanpur.
Climate : November to February - Cold; Summer - April to June - Hot; Monsoon - July to September - Good and pleasant.
Best Time to Visit : October to March
Significance : Lord Buddha visited this place twice after His enlightenment i.e. in 522 BCE and 519 BCE and preached many sermons.
Language : Hindi and English
Festival :
Buddhists : Buddha Jayanti(April/May), and Buddha Mahotsav(December).
Hindus : Durga Puja(October), Holi(March) and Deepawali(November).
Jains : Mahavira Jayanti.

Major Buddhist Attractions

The Ruins of Old Kaushambi : The excavations conducted in the old Kaushambi suggests the presence of a huge prosperous city about 800 years back. The remains found from the city includes the Ashokan Pillar and the Ghositarma Monastery along with others such as Stone fortress palace, old coins, sculptures, monuments and idols. Besides, some of the stupas have also been found from the ruins of the old city.

Other Attractions

Sheetala Temple of Kara : Dating back to 1000 CE, the holy temple of Sheetala Devi has always been of high religious importance for the Hindus. The temple, which is also one of the 51 Shaktipeeths, is considered to have extreme divine powers. The devotees believe that by offering prayers to the Goddess on 'Ashtami' day of 'Krishnapaksha' in the month of 'Chaitra', one can get rid of evils.

Prabhasgiri : Prabhasgiri is a small hillock in Kaushambi and holds religious importance for the Jains. In the small cave on the hill top, there are inscriptions in the Brahmi script, which dates back to the 2nd century BCE in the Gupta period. According to the Hindu mythology, it is said that it was at Prabhasgiri, where Lord Krishna died by the arrow of Jaratkumar.

Shopping
One can get Buddhist items to offer prayers such as thangkas or bells, incense sticks etc. from Kaushambi.

How to reach :
Airways - The nearest airports are at Allahabad(50 kilometers), Varanasi(150 kilometers) and Kanpur(160 kilometers), which entertains flights from major Indian cities and International ones as well.

Railways - The nearest major railway station is at Allahabad, 50 Kilometers from Kaushambi. Another option is to take a train to Bharvari which is 40 kilometers away and connected to the cities of Uttar Pradesh via rail network. From these places, a tourist can easily get a bus or taxi to reach Kaushambi.
One can hire a taxi or can take a bus to reach Kaushambi, or even can opt for the railways.

Roadways - The road network connects Allahabad very well to the nearby and major cities, as it falls on NH 2 and 27. From all the major cities of Uttar Pradesh(such as Kanpur, Varanasi etc.) one can get a coach, bus and taxis for a tour to Kaushambi.

Sravasti (ancient Savatthi), which was the capital of ancient Kosala Mahajanapada , is a revered Buddhist destination. Founded by the mythological king Sravast, Sravasti was a delighted host to the Buddha and His disciples for 24 years. Lord Buddha is believed to have performed the only miracles of His life to convince the non-believers at Sravasti. The ancient city of Sravasti comes alive before its onlookers with its age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples.

General Information

Country : India
State : Uttar Pradesh
Location : In Gonda district in the eastern Uttar Pradesh
Climate : Summer - April to June - Hot Winter - November to February - Cold Monsoon - July to September
Best Time to Visit : October to April
Significance : Lord Buddha spent 24 years in Sravasti
Language : Hindi and English
Festivals : Buddhist - Buddha Jayanti(April/May); Others - Mahavir Jayanti(Jains), Holi, Deepawali (Hindus).
Major Buddhist Attractions

Jetavana Vihara : The Jetavana Vihara, named after the Sravasti's prince Prasenjeet who donated this park to the sangha, is the holy place where the Buddha stayed for 24 years in Sravasti. Inside the Vihara, one of the most beautiful spots is the Anandabodhi tree, which grew up as a branch of the Sri Lankan Bodhi tree, a sapling of the original Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya. Besides, the ruins of Anandakuti and Gandhakuti, where the Buddha used to stay in the Vihara is another sacred place.

Monasteries : There are a number of monasteries nearby Jetvana Vihara such as Sri Lankan, Chinese, Myanmarese or Burmese and Thai monasteries and temples, which perform meditation and other Buddhist practices. Nearby these monasteries is a beautiful park, which owns a large bell donated by the Japanese pilgrims.

Mahet : Once a fortified city in the ancient period, Mahet is situated in the north of Jetavana. The ruins of Mahet includes two stupas, one of which is believed to be that of Angulimala, the cruel dacoit, who converted into Buddhism, influenced by the Buddha's teachings. His stupa is known as Pakki Kuti, while the another one, which is believed to be that of Sudatta, Buddha's disciple is known as Kachchi Kuti.

Other Attractions

Jain Temple : The ruins of a Jain temple, the birthplace of the third Jain Teerthankara, Swayambunatha, dates back to the Medieval era and is a sacred place for the Jains.

Nearby Buddhist Attractions

Sankisa : Sankisa or Basantpur(as known today), is the place where the Buddha descended from heaven along with the Hindu Lord Brahma and Devraj Indra after giving a discourse to His mother, Mayadevi. Situated on the banks of the river Kali on the Agra-Manipuri road, Sankisa holds the ancient pillar with an elephant capital, erected by the great Indian emperor Ashoka to mark the holy spot related to the Buddha.

Shopping
One can buy some local handicrafts and Buddhist items from the local shops nearby the tourist destinations in Sravasti.

Vaishali

The first republic of the world, Vaishali holds special significance for the Buddhist devotees. The ancient city of Vaishali was the place, where Lord Buddha had delivered his last sermons and announced His prospective mahaparinirvana that was to take place in Kushinagar. Known as a host to the second Buddhist council in 383 BCE, Vaishali is also a sacred place for the Jains as Lord Mahavira was born in Vaishali.

General Information

Country : India
State : Bihar
Location : 55 kilometers from Patna, the state capital of Bihar.
Climate : Tropical; Summer - April to June - Hot; Winter - November to February - Cold
Best Time to Visit : October, November and April.
Significance : The Buddha preached His last sermon at Vaishali.
Language : English, Hindi, and Magadhi(regional language).
Buddhist Festivals : The Buddha Jayanti in the month of April/May.
Other Festivals : The Mahavira Jayanti, a Jain festival. Holi, Deepawali and Dussehra for the Hindus.

Major Buddhist Attractions

Vishwa Shanti Stupa : The Vishwa Shanti Stupa, which is also known as the pillar of peace, is the most recent holy attraction for the Buddhists. Built jointly by the Indian and the Japanese government, the Vishwa Shanti Stupa is the highest stupa of the world.

Buddha's Stupas : The Buddha stupa I and II dates back to the 4th century BCE, built of bricks with a casket containing part of the ashes of Lord Buddha.

Other Attractions

Ashokan Pillar : The famous lion pillar, built by the Indian emperor Ashoka is also known as the Ashokan Pillar. The pillar symbolises the golden Indian architecture and is made of a single piece of red sandstone, capped by a high bell shaped capital. A life-size figure of a lion adorns the very top of this amazing pillar.

Coronation Tank : The coronation tank was used by the Lichhavi kings to anoint before being crowned.

Bawan Pokhar Temple : Bawan Pokhar temple is a sacred place for the Hindus. Built during the Pala dynasty, the old temple is situated on the banks of the Bawan lake and contains beautiful images of Hindu Gods and Goddesses.

Chaumukhi Mahadeva : It is a holy place for the Hindus and has a sacred Shiva lingam carved with four faces.

Vaishali Museum : The museum has a small collection of regional handicrafts and artifacts related to the life of Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira.

Nearby Attractions

Patna : The capital of Bihar, Patna is at a distance of 55 kilometers from Vaishali. Earlier known as Patliputra, Patna attracts the tourists with major sites being Golghar, Har Mandir, Martyr's Memorial, Khuda Baksh Oriental Library and the Patna Museum.

Mode of Transport
Airways - One can take a flight to reach Patna, 55 kilometers from Vaishali as the Loknayak Jai Prakash International Airport is an easy access for the international and national flights. From Patna, one can take up either roadways or railways to reach the holy destination, Vaishali.

Railways - Hajipur is the nearest railhead from Vaishali at a distance of 35 kilometers, from where a taxi, bus or auto rickshaw can be taken to reach the destination.

Roadways - Regular buses are available to reach Vaishali from Patna and other major towns of Bihar and Jharkhand. Besides, one can also hire a private taxi to cover the distance of 55 kilometers from Patna to Vaishali.

How to Reach
Airways - The nearest airport is at Lucknow, 151 kilometers from Sravasti, which welcomes both domestic and International flights from major cities. From Lucknow, one can either opt for a train or bus or taxi to reach the destination, 151 km away.

Railways - To reach Sravasti, the nearest rail head is at Balrampur, 19 kilometers away, from where one can take up road way to reach the destination.

Roadways - Sravasti can be reached by road from Lucknow (151 km) via Bahraich, Kapilvastu(147 km) via Naugarh and Varanasi(401 km) via Lucknow. The tourist coaches, buses and even taxis are available to reach Kapilvastu from these places.
 

The word 'Nalanda' has been derived from Na-Alam-Da, which means 'insatiable in giving', one of the names by which Lord Buddha was known. One of the major Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Nalanda is also known for the ruins of the world famous ancient learning centre. With the nearest habitation at the village of Bargaon, Nalanda is though now a deserted place, but still is very important to the history of Buddhism and Jainism(The Teerthankar Mahavira got moksha near Nalanda at Pawapuri).

General Information

Country : India
State : Bihar
Location : South Bihar. 90 Kilometers southeast of Patna and 18 kilometers from Rajgir.
Climate : Summer - Hot; Monsoon - Warm; Winter - Cold.
Best Time to Visit : October to February.
Significance : World famous ancient learning centre for the Buddhists.
Language : Hindi and English
Eating : Khaja, a famous sweet of Silao.
Festival : Buddha Jayanti.

Major Buddhist Attractions

Nalanda University : The famous ancient learning centre, Nalanda is recorded as the world's earliest university set up in the 5th century BCE. It is believed that the Buddha had visited the place and gave sermons near the 'Mango grove of Pavarika'. Later the Buddhist monks undertook learning, practice, meditation and understanding of the Dhamma in the centre to enrich the masses. The sects of Buddhism - Theravada, Vajrayana, Mahayana and Theravada were born due to the teachings of the University. Even the decline of Buddhism in India is associated with the destruction of the Nalanda University by the Islamic invasion of India in the 12th century CE. Today, the entire Nalanda site has been divided into a number of sites that include 11 monasteries and several temples built in red bricks.

Nava Nalanda Mahavira : A modern centre for Theravadin Buddhist studies, known as the Nava Nalanda Mandir was set up in 1951, which is still a pioneer in pursuing an ambitious program of satellite imaging of the entire region.

Nalanda Museum : The Nalanda museum that was established in 1971, has a good collection of ancient manuscripts and Buddhist statues. Besides, the museum also displays unique artifacts of the ancient period.

Other Attractions

Surya(Sun) Temple : Nearby the ruins of the Nalanda university lies the ancient Surya temple, which still survives and is a sacred place for the Hindus.

Nearby Buddhist Attractions

Rajgir : Barely 15 kilometers away from Nalanda, Rajgir is also a holy place for the Buddhists as the Buddha had spent 12 years over here.

Other Nearby Attractions

Pawapuri : Pawapuri is a sacred place for the Jains, as it was at this place, where Lord Mahavira had passed away or attained Moksha.

Shopping
Nalanda offers Buddhist Statues, Local Handicrafts to its tourist, who enjoy buying these items.

The Mode of Transport :
Airways - The nearest airport is in Patna, 93 kilometers from Nalanda.

Railways - The nearest railway station is at Bakhtiyarpur, 38 kilometers from Nalanda. However, the loop lines connect both the places.

Roadways - Well maintained Highways connect Nalanda to Patna, Bodh Gaya and other major tourist places.

Dharmasala in the upper reaches of the Kangra valley at an altitude between 1250 meters and 2000 meters in Himachal Pradesh, is better known as the home in exile of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist religious head. The Dharamsala region, that became the home of the Tibetan government in exiles since 1960, has become a prolific Buddhist centre. Over the past four decades the Tibetan community in exile has established over 200 monasteries and nunneries with enrollments of over 20,000 monks and nuns. While Indian Buddhism was on its decline in India, this region tried its best to survive and partly succeeded also. Today a home to several Buddhist temples and monasteries, Dharamsala is also known as a place of peace and harmony while spreading the same throughout the world.

General Information

Country : India
State/Region : Himachal Pradesh
Location : In the Kangra Valley.
Climate : Summer - Mild and Moderate; winter - Cold and chilling.
Best Time to Visit : April to June, September and October.
Significance : The home to the Tibetan Buddhist head, the Dalai Lama.
Language : Hindi, English, Urdu, Punjabi and Pahari(local dialects)
Eating Out : Tibetan Dishes like thukpa (noodle soup), momo (steamed meat dumplings), sizzlers, sukiyaki, pancakes, pizzas and spaghetti.

Major Buddhist Destination(s)

McLeodganj : Also known as the Little Lhasa, McLeodganj, which is at an altitude of 1770 meter, is the residence (The Tsuglagkhang Complex) of the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan Buddhist head. There are larger than life images of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokteshwara in McLeodganj, which at once attracts the onlookers. With prayer wheels off the sidewalk, McLeodganj is also known as Little Lhasa, thereby spreading the message of peace and harmony everywhere.

Namgyal Monastery : Namgyal Monastery, which was founded by the third Dalai Lama in the late sixteenth century CE to assist him in carrying out his religious activities, even today helps His Holi Highness, the present Dalai Lama in his religious activities. The uniqueness of the Namgyal monastery lies in its diverse practices - The Namgyal monks perform prayers and rituals of all the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Situated next to the Central cathedral, the monastery hosts more than 180 monks, who follow the practices related to the Vajrayana Buddhism.

Tsuglag Khang or the Central Cathedral : Situated in front of the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsuglag Khang is known better known as the main temple among the Indian devotees.The central cathedral houses three images - Sakyamuni Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokitesvara. The image of Sakyamuni Buddha is considered as the main image, build of gilded bronze with a height of three meters. The central cathedral owns the entire set of the Buddhist canons - Kagyur(Direct teachings of the Buddha) and Tengyur(collection of later commentaries on Kagyur by Indian Buddhist scholars). The Central Cathedral also conducts the public prayers, sermons and certain religious festivities, such as monastic dances.

Monasteries : There are several Tibetan monasteries in and around Dharamsala, particularly around McLeodganj such as Dip-Tse-Chokling monastery, Nechung monastery and Gadong monastery, which not only clears the picture of Tibetan culture, but also presents close insight of the Tibetan Buddhism.

Namgyalma Stupa : Surrounded by prayer wheels, the Namgyalma Buddhist stupa, has been erected as a memorial to those Tibetans who lost their lives fighting for a free Tibet. Located at the centre of McLeod Gunj, Namgyalma Stupa stands as a monument to the determination of a suppressed people to preserve their distinctive way of life against overwhelming odds. For 24 hours, the devotees turn prayer wheels as they recite mantras.

Tushita Retreat Centre : Situated just above McLeodGunj, Tushita retreat centre is an ideal place for meditation and spiritual retreats. A residential centre, Tushita retreat centre provides frequent courses on several aspects of the Tibetan Buddhism.

Other Attractions

Mountaineering Institute : Located on the road to Dharamkot is a famous mountaineering institute, which organises treks to several picturesque sights and a hot destination with the tourists.

Nearby Attractions

St.John in the wilderness : A stone church with delicate stained glass windows and a memorial to Lord Elgin lies at a distance of 8 km from Dharamsala, is a frequently visited place by the tourists.

Dal Lake : Dal Lake, 11 kilometers from Dharamsala, is a perfect scenic beauty, surrounded by deodar trees and an enchanting picnic spot. An idea of a perfect holiday!

Trilokpur : A natural cave temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is a sacred place for the Hindus at Trilokpur, is 41 km away from Dharamsala.

Masrur : 40 kilometers from Dharamsala and 15 kilometers from Kangra, Masur presents beautiful temples(8th century CE), carved out of monolithic rocks in the style of the Kailash Temple at Ellora.

Dharamkot (2,100m) : Above Upper Dharamsala is the Dharmkot Hill, 11 km away, which provides a panoramic view of the majestic Dhauladhars.

Bhagsunath : Close to Dal Lake is the shrine of Bhagsunath, an easy walk from the Macleodganj Bazaar, 11 km from Dharamsala and also includes a pretty waterfall.

Chamunda Devi Temple : A sacred place for the Hindus, the Chamunda Devi temple is at a mere distance of 15 kilometers from Dharamsala and provides mesmerising views of the mountains.

Chinmaya Tapovan : 10 km from Dharamsala on the banks of the rivulet Bindu Saras, is an ashram complex established by late Swami Chinmayananda, a noted exponent of BhagwatGita. The complex includes a 9m high image of Hindu deity Hanuman, a magnificent Ragunath Temple, a meditation hall, a school, and a health and recreation center.

Shopping
One can buy Tibetan rugs and handicraft products from the shops of the Tibetan Handicraft Centre. The shops at McLeodGunj also displays Tibetan wares such as silver jewelleries, imported goods, prayer wheels, gemstone rosary beads, and big images of the Tibetan Gods.

How to Reach :
Airways - The nearest airport is at Gaggal, Kangra, 12 kilometers from Dharamsala, from where road route can be taken to reach the destination.

Railways - Pathankot, 90 kilometers from Dharamsala, is the nearest broad gauge station and linked to all major cities of India, although one can also take a train to Kangra, the narrow gauge railhead, 18 kilometers from Dharamsala, which can further be reached by road.

Roadways - Dharamsala is well connected by road, as one can take up a bus, coach or taxi from some of the major places, such as Delhi(514 km), Chandigarh (239 km), Kullu (214 km), Shimla (332 km) and Chamba (192 km). The distances though may seem more, but as one passes the way, is sure to be engrossed by the natural beauty.

Kushinagar

Kushinagar attracts Buddhist devotees from around the world because it is one of the four holy sites in Buddhism. It is the place where Lord Buddha breathed His last words,

“Behold now brethren, I exhort you saying, decay is inherent in all component things! Work out your salvation with diligence!”

Kushinagar, at that point of time, was a part of the Malla kingdom and known as Kusinara. Following the Buddha’s mahaparinirvana, the place shot into fame and a number of stupas and viharas were constructed in the following period. The great emperor, Ashoka got numerous Buddhist statues built here and the Chinese travellers, Fa Hien, Huen Tsang, and I-tsing, all paid a visit to this town.

However, when Buddhism began to loose its significance in the country, Kushinagar too, lost its importance. The number of people visiting it declined and preservation of Buddhist monuments saw an all time low. Kushinagar rose to prominence again recently when Lord Alexander Cunningham excavated many significant remnants of the main site. Today, Kushinagar is amongst the first four places to which Buddhists from around the world wish to take a pilgrimage trip to.

Factfile
Country : India
State : Uttar Pradesh
Location : 53 km from Gorakhpur
Climate : Hot and humid summers and mild winters. Summers extend from mid-April-mid-September with maximum temperature touching 40-45°C while winters extend from December to February with minimum temperature touching 5°C. Rainy season extends from June to September.

Significance : Lord Gautam Buddha died here.
Language : Hindi and English

Main Festival
Buddha Purnima

Major Buddhist Attractions

Mahaparinirvana Temple
The Mahaparinirvana temple stands amidst serene sal grove and is famous for the 6 metres long reclining image of Lord Buddha. The image was discovered during the excavations of 1876 and shows the dying Buddha reclining on His right side. It is believed that this chunar sandstone statue was brought from Mathura by a devout monk, Haribala, during the reign of King Kumara Gupta in the 5th century AD.

Nirvana Stupa
This is a brick stupa located in the east of the Nirvana temple. Rising to a height of 2.74 m, the Nirvana stupa was excavated in 1867 by Carlleyl. A copper vessel, bearing an inscription in ancient Brahmi was unearthed from here. The inscription clearly stated that the last remains of Lord Buddha were deposited there.

Meditation Park
Close to the main Nirvana Temple, the park has been opened pretty recently. The atmosphere of the park, with lush green platforms surrounded by sal trees, is perfect for meditation. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.

Mathakuar Shrine
Some four hundred yards from the Parinirvana stupa is the Mathakaur Shrine from where a 3.05 m tall black stone image of Lord Buddha in the bhumi sparsha mudra was unearthed. The place is widely believed to be the one where Lord buddha delivered His last sermon.

Ramabhar Stupa
Around a km from the Mathakaur shrine stands another stupa, Rambhar which rises to a height of 49 feet. The stupa site is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha was cremated. Close to the stupa is a pond which dries up when temperature soars up in summers. It is not clear which of the two, the stupa or the pond, was originally called Ramabhar.

Japanese Temple
This temple has been constructed by the Atago Isshin World Buddhist Cultural Association and is quiet well known for the ashta dhatu (eight metlas) statue of Lord Buddha. The temple is open for visit between sunrise and sunset.

Kushinagar Museum
The Kushinagar Museum is situated around a km southeast from the Kushinagar bus stand, half a km from the the Mahaparinirvana temple and three km from the Kasia bus stand. The highlight of the museum is the stucco statue of Lord Buddha in meditative posture. The statue is one of the finest specimen of the Gandhara School of Art. Apart from this, you can also have a look at other exhibits which include precious antiques like coins, statues, sculptures, architectural remains and bronze statues. These Buddhist treasures were found from the excavation sites. Some Hindus and Jain antiquies are also on display.

Japanese Garden
Open between sunrise to sunset, this Children’s park is presently under construction. The supervision of the construction work is carried out by the Japanese, however, once it is completed, the UP government will take over.

Myanmar Buddha Vihar
The first monastery in Kushinagar, the Myanmar Buddha Vihara is its temples adorned with beautiful metal statues of Lord Buddha. There is also a unique collection of the excavated bone & metals (asthidhatu) of Lords and followers.

Wat Thai Temple
The Wat Thai temple was constructed to mark the 50th year of His Majesty King Bhumibol the Great's Accession to the Throne. The temple has a various kinds of trees all around.

The Lin Sun Chinese Temple
From outside, this temple appears to be a combination of the Chinese and Vietnamese architectural style. Within, the temple houses beautiful Chinese images of Lord Buddha. For visiting tourists, the temple is open between sunrise to sunset. However, it is also possible to stay overnight here as the temple provides free stays.

Birla Temple
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple has been founded by the well known Birla family at the nirvana site of Gautama Buddha. Highlight here is a marble statue of Lord Shiva seated on a tiger flash cushion. The temple offers accommodation to Hindu and Buddhist tourists at a very reasonable rate

At the main site a marble statue of lord Shiva sitting in an erect posture on tiger flash cushion. The 'dhyana posture' he is sitting in, is termed to be the position in which the communion of thou soul (Jivatma) to thy soul (parmatma) is possible.

The temple also provides accommodation for Hindu Buddhist tourist on very nominal rates. A dormitory is also specially made for Indian Buddhist tourists available at cheapest rates.

Visiting Hours : Sunrise to Sunset

International Buddha Trust
The trust was established in the year 1996 with an intention of performing communion of an individual soul (jivatma) with universal soul (parmatman) through yoga. The trust organises free classes for around ten days in a year. Free accommodation and fooding are offered to those who participate in the classes.

Nearby Attractions
Gorakhpur is located 53 km from Kushinagar while Lumbini and Kapilavastu are located some 108 and 110 km respectively.

How To Reach
Airways
The nearest airport from Kushinagar is Varanasi which is located 275 km away. Flights from Varanasi connect to destinations like Delhi, Kolkata, Lucknow and Patna.

Railways
Gorakhpur, 53 km s away is the nearest railhead connected to several important destinations in India like Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi.

Roadways
Kushinagar is well connected by road to several important cities in the state as well as country. Some important road distances from Kushinagar include :

Gorakhpur – 53 km
Sravasti : 254 km
Sarnath : 266 km
Agra : 680 km

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