Buddhist Pilgrimage in India: Revitalizing the Spirit
Today’s fast paced stress ridden lifestyles can at times take a toll on
the overall well being of individuals especially those of urban Indians
who are viewed as a hurried lot. Hence people are seeking out tours
which can not only revitalize them physically but also heal their soul. Buddhist pilgrimage in India
is one such tour wherein one can seek peace of mind by spending time in
tranquil environment. Individuals can at once be at harmony and forget
worries, anxieties and other life stresses when they are in the midst
huge monasteries, the meditative stupas and the chants of spiritual
mantras.
India is the land where Buddha attained Mahanirvana. He moved about the country giving sermons and preaching people. The places where Buddha attained nirvana and gave sermons have now become popular as places of Buddhist pilgrimage in India. Prominent among these sites are Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar. Lumbini, considered as the place of birth of Buddha is now situated in Nepal. Barring Lumbini, the above three sites have become extremely popular among pilgrims and have come to be known as the Sarnath-Gaya-Varanasi Buddhist Circuit. Let’s take a peek into these sites:
Bodh Gaya: Presently, Bodh Gaya is an important destination for Buddhist pilgrimage in India. It is the second largest city in Bihar and is situated on the banks of river Phalgu about hundred kilometers from the capital city of Patna. It was in Gaya that Lord Buddha was believed to have attained enlightenment under a Pipal tree. The place has many monasteries built by devotees from across the world. The Maha Bodhi Temple is a major site in Gaya which houses the huge statue of Buddha in a meditative state. The Pipal tree and Chaukramama are other attractions in Bodh Gaya. The Chaukramama is the place where Lord Buddha was believed to come for a walk.
Sarnath: Sarnath is situated close to the holy city of Varanasi and is considered an important place for Buddhist pilgrimage in India. It is believed that it was in Sarnath that Lord Buddha gave his first sermon on wisdom after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. The attractions in Sarnath include the Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar and Sarnath Museum.
Kushinagar: Located about 53 kilometers from Gorakhpur, Kushinagar is an important place of Buddhist pilgrimage in India as it is believed that it was at Kushinagar that Lord Buddha attained ‘Maharparinivana’ or the pinnacle of salvation. The major attractions of Kushinagar are the many stupas and temples. Notable among these are The Ramabhar Stupa, Mahanirvana temple, Mathakuar temple, the Wat Thai temple, Japanese temple and the Chinese temple.
India is the land where Buddha attained Mahanirvana. He moved about the country giving sermons and preaching people. The places where Buddha attained nirvana and gave sermons have now become popular as places of Buddhist pilgrimage in India. Prominent among these sites are Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar. Lumbini, considered as the place of birth of Buddha is now situated in Nepal. Barring Lumbini, the above three sites have become extremely popular among pilgrims and have come to be known as the Sarnath-Gaya-Varanasi Buddhist Circuit. Let’s take a peek into these sites:
Bodh Gaya: Presently, Bodh Gaya is an important destination for Buddhist pilgrimage in India. It is the second largest city in Bihar and is situated on the banks of river Phalgu about hundred kilometers from the capital city of Patna. It was in Gaya that Lord Buddha was believed to have attained enlightenment under a Pipal tree. The place has many monasteries built by devotees from across the world. The Maha Bodhi Temple is a major site in Gaya which houses the huge statue of Buddha in a meditative state. The Pipal tree and Chaukramama are other attractions in Bodh Gaya. The Chaukramama is the place where Lord Buddha was believed to come for a walk.
Sarnath: Sarnath is situated close to the holy city of Varanasi and is considered an important place for Buddhist pilgrimage in India. It is believed that it was in Sarnath that Lord Buddha gave his first sermon on wisdom after attaining enlightenment in Bodh Gaya. The attractions in Sarnath include the Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar and Sarnath Museum.
Kushinagar: Located about 53 kilometers from Gorakhpur, Kushinagar is an important place of Buddhist pilgrimage in India as it is believed that it was at Kushinagar that Lord Buddha attained ‘Maharparinivana’ or the pinnacle of salvation. The major attractions of Kushinagar are the many stupas and temples. Notable among these are The Ramabhar Stupa, Mahanirvana temple, Mathakuar temple, the Wat Thai temple, Japanese temple and the Chinese temple.
An individual’s quest to attain spiritual solace can be fulfilled by undertaking Buddhist pilgrimage in India. The three major sites of Buddhist pilgrimage are Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar which are briefly described in the blog.Read More : http://www.holidays-india.com/blog/buddhist-pilgrimage-india-revitalizing-spirit/
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