The holy places relevant to Buddhism, where Lord Buddha was born, taught and he preached as well as attained enlightenment and nirvana are the places which come under the Buddhist Circuit in India. These spiritual homes of Buddhism include housing temples and monasteries of high religious significance, where the devotees can better acquaint themselves with the teachings of Lord Buddha.
Bodh Gaya, Rajgir and Nalanda, Lumbini, Varanasi, Kushinagar and Sravasti come under the Buddhist Circuit in India.
Bodh Gaya- Bodh Gaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage tourism site. Bodh Gaya pilgrimage is associated with the Mahabodhi Temple complex. It is the very place that houses the Mahabodhi Tree, under which Gautama Buddha meditated and attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi temple built near the Mahabodhi tree is highly revered. It is now one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a lot of foreign countries, including Japan and China have helped the Indian Government in building facilities for the Buddhist pilgrimage tourism here. Bodh Gaya also has other various temples and monasteries dedicated to Buddhism.
Sravasti- was one of the six largest cities in India during Gautama Buddha’s lifetime. It was also Buddha’s favorite rainy season retreat. Buddha performed his first miracle in Sravasti. This place also has an Anand Bodhi Tree, one offspring of the original Bodhi Tree, planted by Buddha’s main disciple Anand. This site holds ruins of many ancient stupas, monastaries and temples.
Rajgir and Nalanda- The name Rajgir came from Rājagṛiha, meaning “house of the king” or “royal house”. Rajgir was Lord Buddha’s monsoon retreat for 12 years. While spreading his doctrine, Lord Buddha preached about the precepts of Lotus Sutra and the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra. The teachings of Buddha were compiled after his death and preached in the council. Nalanda is the most popular Mahavihara of ancient times, a significance Buddhist seat of academic excellence and a modest pilgrim center. It continues to be an equally enriching location in the present. It offers vibrant substance of spirituality, history, culture, architecture and tourism.
Lumbini- Buddha’s birthplace, It is also one of the world’s most important spiritual sites and attracts Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. It is situated in the Rupandehi district of Nepal and is famous for its Ashokan Pillar and Matha Kaur Shrine.
Varanasi- It is located on the western bank of the river Ganga as it flows through the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. After attaining Nirvana, Buddha came to Varanasi in search of his five disciples.
Kushinagar- It is a pilgrimage town located in the Gorakhpur district of the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Buddhists believe Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death and also attained salvation. Important places to visit here are Mukatanabandhana Stupa, the reclining Buddha statue in red sandstone, Wat Thai Temple, Chinese Temple, Japanese Temple, Mahanirvana Temple among others.
Buddhist circuit in India is a journey purely for eternal peace. Buddhism is a religion that was founded by Siddhartha Gautama more that 2500 years ago. Buddhism is believed to be one of the major world religions. Many Buddhist ideas and philosophies overlap with those of other faiths. The path to Enlightenment is through the practice and development of morality, meditation and wisdom. Buddhists believe that life is both endless and subject to impermanence, suffering and uncertainty.
To get the best of Buddhist take IRCTC’s Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train which is equipped with many comfortable amenities like foot massagers, safety lockers, onboard restaurants and more to provide tourists the best of travel and buddhist pilgrimage with its well crafter itinerary.
