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 India is the land of birth of Buddhism. There are many places associated directly or indirectly with the life and time of Buddha or Buddhism. Some places have importance because of their direct association with Lord Buddha while some places acquired importance later by becoming prominent Buddhist centers. Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours will take you to all the significant places related to Lord Buddha.
Buddha himself has acknowledged four places of future pilgrimage for the Buddhist pilgrims in the Parinibbana Sutta. These sites are the place of his birth-Lumbini, enlightenment-Bodh Gaya, first discourse-Sarnath and death-Kushinagar. Over the period of time, four other destinations came to be revered by the Buddhist Pilgrims. These places are Rajgir, Sankisa, Vaisahali and Sravasti.
Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is 306 km from Kathmandu in Nepal. Lord Buddha was born in 623 BC in Lumbini. Places to visit in Lumbini on Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours are the Sacred Garden, the Maya Temple, Puskani Pond, Ashokan Pillar, Nepal Buddha Temple and Lumbini Museum. Lumbini is listed in the UNESCO's World Heritage Site.
Bodh Gaya, the place where Prince Siddhartha attained Enlightenment, is 13 km from Gaya in Bihar. Under the Pipal or Banyan Tree, he got Supreme enlightenment and became the 'Buddha' or the 'Enlightened One'. Places to visit in Bodh Gaya on Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours are the Maha Bodhi Temple and Mahabodhi Tree. Bodh Gaya is listed in the UNESCO's World Heritage Site.
Sarnath, the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon, is 10 km from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. the first sermon or Maha Dharma Pravartan (To Set in Motion the Wheel of Law) was delivered at the deer Park in Sarnath. Emperor Ashoka paid a visit to this place in 234 BC and erected a stupa at Sarnath. Places to visit in Sarnath on Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours are the Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, Mulgandha Kuti Vihar and Sarnath Museum.
Kushinagar, the place where Lord Buddha took his last breath, is 51 km from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. He attained the state of Mahaparinirvana or Permanent Bliss at the age of 80 at Kushinagar. Places to visit in Sarnath on Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours are the Mahaparinirvana Temple, Nirvana Chaitya, Ramabhar Stupa and Matha Kuar Shrine.
Sankisa, the place where Buddha descended to earth with Brahma and Devraj Indra after preaching sermons to his mother in the heaven, is 47 km from Farrukhabad in Uttar Pradesh. Sankisa is now known as the village of Basantpur. Places to visit in Sankisa on Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours are the Elephant Capital Pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka, the Temple of Bisari Devi and Ruins of the Fort.
Vaishali, the place where Buddha preached his last sermon near Kolhua, is 36 km from Muzzafarpur in Bihar. emperor Ashoka erected his lion pillars here in the 3rd century BC. Places to visit in Vaishali on Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours are Kolhua, Vaishali Museum, Raja Vishal ka Garh and Bawan Pokhar Temple.
Sravasti, the place where Lord Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens and carried out miracles, is 34 km from Balrampur in Uttar Pradesh. Places to visit in Sravasti on Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours are the Temple No.2, Temple No 3 and Anand Bodhi Temple.
Rajgir, the place where Buddha converted Emperor Bimbisar to Buddhism at the Griddhakoota Hill, is 15 km from Nalanda in Bihar. The place is also significant as the teachings of Buddha were written down at Rajgir and it was also the venue for the First Buddhist Council. Places to visit in Rajgir on Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours are the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Venu Mana Monastery and Griddhakoota Hill.
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