May 27, 2015

Buddhist Circuit in India


Buddha Tourism India 

“I never see what has been done; I only see what remains to be done”- Gautama Buddha

India is known for its diversity of religious beliefs and practices. It is the spiritual land where world’s four major religions originated; they are Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
Lord Buddha was an Indian prince who was known as Prince Siddhartha Gautama, left all the worldly pleasure to attain the reality of life. Later he became Buddha which means ‘One who is awake’ means woken up to reality.Most of the Buddha’s chief took place in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and some part of Nepal. The well known places are Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Sravasti, Kushinagar and Ajanta caves.


The Buddhist Circuits - The Holy places of Buddhism are known as Buddhist circuit. Following places are famous and known for Buddhism. It is a journey through the austere stupa’s and ancient monasteries. The mystical chants of Buddhism mantras that will instantly transport you to thousands of years in the past, when a prince renounced all worldly pleasure to turn into an ascetic. These Buddha sites are known for Buddhism-:
  1. Lumbini           :         The Birthplace of Lord Buddha
  2. Bodh Gaya     :         Where he attained enlightenment
  3.  Kapilvastu      :         Where he grew up
  4. Sarnath          :         His first public discourse
  5. Kaushambi    :         Where he delivered sermons
  6. Sravasti         :         His monsoon resort
  7. Kushinagar    :         Where he attained demise


The Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Lumbini and Kushinagar are the primary pilgrim places of Buddhist circuit




1.   Lumbini –Lumbini the birth place of Siddhartha Gautama who achieved nirvana and later he was known as Gautama Buddha founder of Buddhism. Lumbini is located at Rupandehi District of Nepal bordering by India. Lumbini is 476 kms from Bodh Gaya and 117 kms from Gorakhpur by road.



  • Places to visit  – Maya Devi Temple (mother of Buddha), Bodhi tree, Ashoka Pillar (erected by emperor Ashoka in 249 BC), Myanmar Golden Temple, Mahabodhi society temple,  The Dharma Swami Maharaj Temple(built by the king Mustag), The Lumbini Budhha Vihar, The Japan Peace Stupa, the Lumbini museum, the Lumbini international research institute
  • Nearest City  –  Bhairahawa, Kathmandu (Nepal), Faizabad, Gorakhpur
  • How to plan   – Plan your journey with Minar Travels. We are experienced in managing these destinations that includes all Buddhist sites. Minar Travels is managing travelers from all countries for over 2 decades for Buddhist circuit.

2.   Sarnath- Sarnath is situated 10 kms away from Varanasi the famous Hindu pilgrimage city. Lord Buddha chose this place to deliver his first sermon. He preached his first discourse in deer park to his five companions. The celebrated Mantra, ‘Buddham Sharnam Gachhami’ owes its origin here. There are stupa’s which were erected by emperor Ashoka who visited here around 234 BC. This is the same place where Lord Buddha encountered his five companions of earlier his austerities. Lord Buddha taught his all five companion about Dharma and turned them to austere later they became a group (Sangham) who worked for spreading Buddhism.

  • Places to visit- Dhamek Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Sarnath Museum, Mulagandhakuti Vihara,Jambu Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple.
  • Nearest City – Varanasi, Allahabad, Patna
  • How to plan- – Plan your journey with Minar Travels.

3.   Bodh Gaya – Bodh Gaya, A UNESCO world Heritage site, is the most important pilgrimage site among all four related to Gautama Buddha. It is said that Siddhartha Gautama (Lord Buddha) reached on the bank of Falgu River (Near The city Gaya) around 530 BC.  There he sat under the Pippal Tree (which was known as Bodhi tree) for a meditation. Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Buddha spent some weeks at the different spots here later they became religious spot for Buddhists.



  • Places to visit- The Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Mahbodhi Stupa, Thai Monastery, Buddha Statue, Royal Bhutanese Monasterey, Japanese Temple, Museum, Phowa Center, Gendhen Phelgyeling Monastery, Barabar Caves, Taiwanese temple
  • Nearest City – Gaya, Patna,Ranchi
  • How to plan - – plan your journey with Minar Travels.

4.   Kushinagar - It is one of the important pilgrimages of Buddhists. Kushinagar is situated near Gorakhpur (56 kms) in Uttar Pradesh (India). It is believed that Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana here after his death. This is the place where Lord Buddha passed away and was cremated at the Ramabhar Stupa.



  •  Places to visit- Nivana Temple, Nirvana Temple, Wat Thai Temple, Ramabhar stupa, Japanese Temple.
  • Nearest City – Gorakhpur, Allahbad, Varanasi
  • How to plan- Plan your journey with Minar Travels.



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