TOP BUDDHIST SITES IN INDIA

When life gets too fast and all you need is solace in the arms of nature, Buddhist sites in India await to be your safe haven. From Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumari, there are so many destinations where Lord Buddha imparted his knowledge and brought upon wisdom and contentment among the lives of a million people.

Observing the thirst for peace and contentment in life when the depth of Buddhism has reached all these destinations, we list out 17 top Buddhist Locations in India. From the place where Lord Buddha was born to where he was cremated, we’ve got you all covered.

Imbibe the aura of his principles and thank us later.

Sarnath

Sarnath is one Buddhist holy place where Buddha taught the four noble truths of life and death. And if that wasn’t enough to add to its charm, Buddha set the wheel of Dharma in motion here for the first time. Reason enough for it to be one of the most significant places to visit in India for Buddhist? No? Well, there is more to it.

Did you know Sarnath is just 13 kilometers far from Varanasi? Another sacred destination awaits you to seek the blessing of the gods and goddesses once you’re done aligning your Chakras in the laps of Sarnath.

Furthermore, Sarnath is home to the Ashoka Pillar which is topped by an Ashokan lion which later became the National Emblem of India. To drown deeper into the holiness of Sarnath check our Sarnath tourism page.

Bodhgaya

If there is a place that every Buddhist or someone who is curious about Buddhism should make it a point to visit, then it is Bodhgaya.

Bodhgaya in Bihar is where Siddhartha Gautam attained enlightenment under a tree and became the very sacred Lord Buddha.

Oh, and by the way, while you’re there, make sure to visit the ever-popular Mahabodhi Temple that is home to a spectacularly massive state of the Lord Buddha himself.

Did you know it is one of the famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India?

Yes, that’s the reason that it is one of the top Buddhist sites in India.

Interesting, right?

Sankashya

Sankashya is probably the most westward of the eight pilgrimage centers associated with the divine Buddha. Go and interact with the people that live there to carry wayward with their Buddhist principles.

There’s no denying the fact that the Hinayana and Mahayana are probably the happiest people there can be.

Get ready to march onto the land of Happy and come back a happier person.

Furthermore, Emperor Ashoka built a temple where Lord Buddha ascended through stair from heaven.

Make sure to be a part of its sanctity. A sense of calm will wash over you.

Of course, we cover this Buddhist holy place of worship in our Buddhist pilgrimage tour packages India.

Care to see?

Shravasti

Shravasti is the city where Lord Buddha spent the majority of his lifetime. It was reportedly one of the 6 largest cities in India at the time.

Legend has it that Lord Buddha performed a miracle of a million-fold of manifestation of himself here.

He was sitting on a thousand petaled Lotus while he gave away fire and water from his body here thus, making this the place of Twin Miracle.

Shravasti is home to the Jetavana Monastery which you surely cannot miss out on since it is the one monastery where Buddha gave the majority of his teachings.

The perfect destination for a holy Buddha Darshan Tour, don’t you think?

Vaishali

Vaishali marks a lot of significant events in the life of Buddha. Did you know it was here that he was offered a bowl of honey by a monkey? Vaishali is one of those magnificent places where a lot of women started following Buddhism under the blessing of the Lord Buddha.

Furthermore, a stunning Ashoka Pillar surmounted by an Asiatic Lion is what will enchant you into a state of peace and contentment here.

Bihar has a lot more than what meets the eye and this is one fine example of that.

Nalanda

Walk in the land of one of the most ancient and biggest universities in India. This one clearly steals the title of one of the top Buddhist archaeological sites in India. Gautam Buddha stayed in this melting pot of culture and traditions for a long time. Furthermore, find stories behind the relics of the past at Nalanda University and its remains.

Nalanda is one place brimming with heritage and the innumerable monasteries and temples vouch for that. If you happen to visit this place make sure to visit Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall. Dedicated to the Chinese scholar who stayed in the university, this hall makes up for one stunning sight. Go ahead book your tickets to one the most charming Buddhist heritage sites in India already.

Sanchi

Brace yourself to walk in one of the most celebrated Buddhist locations in India.

Sanchi is one big wonder of Buddhist monasteries, temples and other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. Furthermore, the famous Sanchi Stupa is one of the most popular tourist attractions there that you have to visit. Explore top stupas in India list now.

The stunning stupa with just as stunning carvings on its walls will impress you to bits. You know what’s interesting?

It’s not the images of his face that Lord Buddha is depicted here on the walls with. It’s the wheels, footprints, etc.

Our Madhya Pradesh tourism page will give you an odd sense of contentment once you’re done witnessing the incredible Sanchi Stupa in Sanchi.

Kushinagar

Kushinagar is one of the most significant Buddhist pilgrimages in India owing to the fact that Lord Buddha took his last breath here making it sacred and holy.

Guess what? There are temples and monasteries for you to marvel at their beauty and discover yourself through the path of meditation and prayers.

Furthermore, Lord Buddha was cremated in Kushinagar and you can still go visit the place where this happened. Let us take you on an unforgettable tour of Buddhist sites in India.

Our Uttar Pradesh tourism page will help you reach nearer to this tranquil and sacred Buddhist destination.

Ajanta Caves

Ajanta Caves in Maharashtra are quintessential and observe a massive footfall all the year round. The caves depict Buddhism through paintings and sculptures all over the 30 caves that Boast of supreme Buddhist art.

Did you know that these fine specimens of art make up for a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Furthermore, these caves drool the Golden period of India from the 2nd century to the 5th century.

Let us give you an unforgettable tour of this sacred destination through our Maharashtra tourism page.

Rajgir

Adding to the list of Buddhist pilgrimages in India, let us talk about Rajgir in Bihar. Religious fact?

It is here that the second turning of the wheel of Dharma took place. This little town in Bihar is home to one of the 80 Golden Peace Pagodas in the World knows as Vishwashanti Stupa.

Be that as it may, the cyclopean wall still protects the city and its sanctity.

While you’re there make sure to take a dip in the popular Hot-water springs and rejoice in the warmth of nature.

Furthermore, take a walk in the sprawling Venu Vana Park where Buddha used to reside. Intriguing, eh? Here is the better part of your India Buddhist pilgrimage tour. Thank us later.

Kapilavastu

Well, who doesn’t want to know where the great Lord Buddha spent his early life before he attained enlightenment and gave up on the materialistic world!

Kapilavastu is near Shakya and it is one of the Buddhist destinations that have a real special significance. Lord Buddha spent his family life before he went on to attain Nirvana. Doesn’t it make it one of the most important Buddhist places in India?

Drown in the deepest of Buddhist philosophies when you visit this holy Buddhist pilgrimage in India.

Also, while you’re there, interact with the locals of present-day Nepal to dig deeper within the Buddhist philosophies and lifestyle.

Gaya

If you talk about Lord Buddha there isn’t any conversation that doesn’t have the mention of Gaya. Gaya is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India.

Did you know that it is here that Buddha preached his Fire sermon to people who in turn became enlightened? Well, here is your famous holy city of Buddhists.

Brahmayoni hill was the sacred site where this took place.

Venture into the land of this mythologically significant destination and maybe just maybe you’ll get all the blessings from the Lord himself

Vikramshila

Get mysterious in the mystery of Vikramshila.

Vikramshila boasts about being second to Nalanda University in terms of significance and importance.

Walk in the premises of its remains and get smitten by what you will possibly come across.

Be that as it may, the ancient relics speak volumes of its Buddhist significance. A square monastery along with a stupa was revealed during its much-anticipated excavation. Good news from one of the top 5 archaeological sites in India? Sure, it is!

Well, the Archaeological Survey of India has taken in its hands to conserve the prestigious site of Vikramshila University.

Bihar sure has a great deal of Buddhist influence, doesn’t it?

Ladakh

Ladakh in India is Synonymous to Buddhism. Well, that makes it one of the most sacred places of worship for Buddhists. Wrapped in a bold embrace of Himalayas, Ladakh and a lot of rest of Jammu and Kashmir.

Ladakh is a melting pot of culture and vibrancy. The prayer flags by the devotees of Lord Buddha flutter almost everywhere sending out positive vibes. Furthermore, Ladakh takes pride in being home to various world-famous monasteries.

Be that as it may, an odd sense of contentment will wash over you once you become a part of it all meditating and praying.

Ready to align your chakras? We’ll tell you your go-to places. Hemis monastery is one place that you just cannot afford to miss out on. Go frolic in the Hemis festival that takes place every Losar. Yup, Tibetan new year.

If we began to tell what Ladakh has to offer to you on a magical platter, it won’t be enough ever. So, our Ladakh tour packages will take care of you like its baby.

Sikkim

Far from the physical presence of Buddha, yet so close. That is what Sikkim is for you. With more than 200 Monasteries, Sikkim is a Buddhist pilgrimage through and through.

Within the embrace of sprawling nature get to drown deeper into the lifestyle of the people in Sikkim. Furthermore, get to know about the culture of this sacred town in your own personal style.

Book your tickets already.

Nagarjuna Konda

Take a ferry to happily float to the historical island in Andhra Pradesh. Nagarjuna Konda is one of the Buddhist sites n south India that has an immense Buddhist influence over themselves. Did you know that it was named after a Buddhist scholar Acharya Nagarjuna?

Furthermore, this place was the center of Buddhist and Brahmanical teachings. Surprisingly enough, scholars from all over the globe came here to be imparted with eternal knowledge and faith for a lifetime. Ever heard of the phrase “A gem in the rough”? That is exactly what Nagarjuna Konda is. A lot of Buddhist shrines can be found here in remains.

History, through and through!

Dharamshala

Nestled in the laps of the Himalayas, Dharamshala is a safe haven for Buddhism and its followers. With numerous monasteries and winding hill roads adorned with vibrantly colored prayer flags, the sight doesn’t get any better. Have a conversation over a cup of Butter tea with little monks running around.

We promise you’re going to fall in love with the place and the art through which it speaks volumes of Buddhism.

Turn the prayer wheels already.

Let our incredible Himachal Pradesh tourism get you to this spiritually satiating Buddhist pilgrimage site in India.

The Grand Indian Route – Luxury Tours To India takes you places and Buddhist Pilgrimage sites in India are a few unforgettable ones among them.