India is a diverse country with many religions and customs. Everyone here in India respects their neighbourhood religions and traditions. In the same way, Buddhist sites in India have a great prominence due to their pleasant and tranquil environment. In Buddhist monasteries or temples, you will feel very serene and pleasing mind.
To experience the most famous Buddhist sites in India means you have to travel to Northern India, mostly Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.
1. Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is the famous and very important destination of Buddhist sites. Lord Buddha here in this place he was enlightened about life under a Pipal tree. This famous Buddhist is located in Patna, Bihar. Bodhgaya is the place for numerous monasteries of Buddha constructed by the devotees from the outside countries like Japan, Myanmar, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.
Bodhgaya is such a beautiful destination in Patna along the banks of River Phalgu. The major attraction of Bodhgaya is Maha Bodhi Temple which is famous for a mammoth statue of Buddha in deep meditation. Some other famous pilgrimage spots of Buddha are Animesh Lochan Chaitya, Chinese tree, Bodhi tree, the Thai temple, and Tibetan monastery etc.
2. Sarnath
Sarnath is the first place where Lord Buddha delivered his speech on wisdom in deer park. Here you can witness many attractions belonging to Lord Buddha through Museums, Viharas, and ruined places. Sarnath is also flocked with many temples and monasteries of Lord Buddha.
The major attraction of Sarnath is the “Dhamekh Stupa” in deer park built by Emperor Ashoka who is a great follower of Buddhism in Indian kings. And the other most visited places of Sarnath are Chaukhandi Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, Mulaganhakuti Vihara etc. After Bodhgaya, Sarnath is the most visited pilgrimage center of Buddhist sites.
3. Kushinagar
Kushinagar is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his last speech and cremated in this town. This town is located near to Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. This Buddhist site is famous for many Stupas and temples from 3rd to 5th century times. Here in this place, Lord Buddha attained complete Nirvana known as Parinirvana.
The attention-seeking places of Kushinagar are Rambhar Stupa, which is 50ft tall and at this place, Lord Buddha was cremated. Rambhar Stupa is a must visit place in Kushinagar. Other some places to be visited are Mahanirvana temple, Mathakuar temple, Watt Thai temple, Chinese temple, and the Japenese temple.
4. Kapilvastu
Kapilvastu is the birthplace of Lord Buddha. This Buddhist site is located near to the Indo-Nepal Border in Siddharth Nagar district. Kapilvastu is known for its historical significance where the king Siddharth (original name of Buddha) started his journey as a great preacher from this place.
Here you can find many relics of Lord Buddha because it is his birthplace. And this Buddhist site is famous for numerous stupas and temples of Lord Buddha. The major attractions of Kapilvastu are Stupa complex and the Palace of King Shuddhodhan.
5. Sravasti
Sravasti is an important place of Buddhist sites where Lord Buddha delivered many preaches. He spent in this place nearly for 24 years and 25 monsoons in the Jetavana monastery. In Sravasti, you can experience many remnants and relics of Lord Buddha through many ancient stupas and monasteries.
The most visited places of Sravasti means Sahet where Lord Buddha spent 24 years, Mahet, and numerous monasteries of Sri Lankan, Myanmarese, Thai, and Chinese. And in Sravasti, a famous place of Japanese devotees known as The World Peace Bell is a worthy place to visit.
Conclusion
The five Buddhist sites above-mentioned are the fine examples to round up the life cycle of Lord Buddha in a few minutes. From the birth to death of Lord Buddha you can experience everything related to Lord Buddha in these places.
