Five temples to include in Buddhist Pilgrimage tours India

Five temples to include in Buddhist Pilgrimage tours India 

One of the most thriving religions in India, Buddhism preaches non-violence, truth,  and detachment from worldly pleasures. India is home to several temples that not attracts the pilgrims but also tourists of every faith. If you are planning to embark of Buddhist Pilgrimage tours India, here are the following top temples that must be in your bucket list –

• Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya

Possibly the most venerable site for Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is where Gautam Buddha attained his enlightenment. This was the first temple built by Emperor Ashoka which was rebuilt in 5th century. The sacred Bodhi tree is the key highlight of this place and also houses a statue of Lord Buddha of yellow sandstone. You cannot complete the Buddhist tour India should you not visit this temple.

• Mahaparinirvana Temple, Kushinagar

Widely famous for the six meters long idol of sleeping Buddha, this is yet another holy shrine for the Buddhists. Mahaparinirvana temple in Kushinagar marks the place where Lord Buddha laid last. The posture symbolizes  Lord Buddha at the time of his death and has a very tranquil appearance through the campus.

• Sarnath Temple, Varanasi

Varanasi is a popular leg of the Buddhist Pilgrimage tours India. It is the place where Lord Buddha sermon his first spiritual discourse. Emperor Asoka built this temple and the campus has other archaeological attractions such as the Great Dhamek Stupa, Dharmarajika stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, and Mulagandha Kuti Vihar.

• Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh

One of the oldest stone structures in India, the Sanchi Stupa is a must visit of the Buddhist Pilgrimage tours India. Standing as the testimony for Buddhist art and architecture, it houses several relics of Lord Buddha. Again, it is one of the finest examples of intricate architectural designs, which is now a UNESCO world heritage site.

• Wat Thai Temple

This  eminent site for Buddhist tour India, it is built by the disciples of Lord Buddha from Thailand. Surrounded by lush greenery, this temple depicts a beautiful amalgamation of  Thai and Buddhist architectures.

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• Experience India Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour and Get Fulfilled with Ethereal Vibes 

Experience India Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour and Get Fulfilled with Ethereal Vibes

India Buddhist pilgrimage tour - India is a country where Buddhism took birth. The Buddhist sites that lie in India are Bodhgaya, Kushinagar, Patna, and Vaishali, etc. Another essential place, i.e., the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is Lumbini, which is situated in Nepal. 

Another pilgrimage site, i.e., located in Nepal, is Kapilvastu. So, to complete the India Buddhist pilgrimage tour, you get to head to Nepal. 

 

Consider starting your Buddhist tour from the capital city of India, i.e., Delhi. After beginning with Delhi, your trip will go like:

Delhi – Lucknow - Sravasti – Lumbini – Kushinagar – Vaishali – Patna – Nalanda – Rajgir – Bodhgaya – Varanasi – Delhi

In order to get treated with tranquility, and incomparable spirituality, visit the following sites during your Buddhist pilgrimage tour:

1. Sravasti

 

Sravasti

Sravasti has been an ancient city of India, and this place is closely connected to Lord Buddha. Here, Lord Buddha spent measurable time while leading a monastic life. 

Lord also received enlightenment, and the preached at Sravasti. There, you can also visit Ananda Bodhi Tree, where Lord Buddha did meditation for a night before visiting Jetavan. 

2. Lumbini 

 

Lumbini

Your Buddhist pilgrimage tour must include Lumbini in it. Lumbini is the place where Gautam Buddha took birth; that’s why it holds a considerable spiritual significance. Don’t miss to visit Lumbini Park, where there is Ashok Pillar. 

This pillar owns inscription regarding the birth of Lord Buddha. Also, the Mayadevi temple is a must-visit spot because it's devoted to Lord Buddha’s mother. In Mayadevi Temple, you can see a stone picture that showcases the birth-scene of Buddha. 

3. Kushinagar

 

Parinirvana

This is the place where Lord Buddha experienced Final Nirvana or Parinirvana. There, you can visit ancient stupas, as well as modern temples in your Buddhist Tour Packages.

These temples and stupas commemorate the death & cremation of Lord Buddha. Reclining Buddha Statue in Kushinagar will amaze you like never before. 

4. Vaishali

 

Ashok Pillar, Vaishali

 

From Kushinagar, head to Vaishali, which is the place where the last sermon of Lord Buddha was preached. There, you can also visit Ashok Pillar (erected by Ashok, the Emperor), Vishwa Shanti Stupa, and Vishal Fort. 

5. Rajgir

 

Rajgir

You cannot go to Rajgir directly. You have to go there via Nalanda. In Nalanda, you can visit the archaeological museum and the world-famous Nalanda University. Rajgir is situated 20kms away from Nalanda. 

While being in Rajgir, you must visit Griddhakuta, i.e., ‘Hill of Vultures’, which is popular because Lord Buddha delivered some of the well-known sermons over there. 

You can even visit Saptparni Caves, the place where Lord Buddha’s first council got held. From the same caves, the hot springs of Rajgir originate. 

6. Bodhgaya

 

Bodhgaya

During your Buddhist pilgrimage tours India, Bodhgaya should be a must-visit place. Bodhgaya is a pilgrimage site, where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under a tree. The tree is now popular by the name Bodhi Tree. 

 

Mahabodhi Tree

In Bodhgaya, don’t forget to visit Mahabodhi Temple, which comprises Buddha’s figures sitting in all different postures, as well as stone’s lotuses. 

The temple also includes a colossal golden Lord Buddha’s statue in sanctum sanctorum. Bodhi Tree is also situated in the same temple; the exact place where Buddha experienced illumination.

Suggested Tour: Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour - ( 9 Days / 8 Nights )

Also Read:

• Footsteps of Buddha Tour – One of the Best Pilgrimage Tours
• 10 Best Buddhist Temples in India You Must Visit On Your Buddhist Tour