Buddhist Circuit Toursim

Know About Some Important Info

Buddhist Circuit!

There are several sacred places of Buddhist importance in different parts of Indian States and around the world. This Buddhist circuit is all about Retracing Buddha’s Footsteps or “Dharma-Yatra” and this will take you on a journey to experience in person about Siddharth and his journey of becoming Buddha.

“Buddhism”- The 4th Largest religion in the world, in Buddha’s own words-

“Buddhism is not about being special

Buddhism is all about being Ordinary”

This journey will take you to experience those place where “ Siddhartha” went leaving his kingdom, which is in Lumbini ( Nepal) to find out the Answers of his questions about Life and Suffering and beyond that and how the the Religion Buddhism Started and spread so vast in all over the World.

How to Travel in Buddhist Circuit

There are 2 major entry point in Buddhist Circuit

Entry Point- 1. Bodh-Gaya

By Air:. This entry point will let you to the place where Lord Buddha got Enlightenment under Pipal Tree( Bodhi Tree) in Bodhgaya.Bodhgaya is well connected through air At a distance of approx 15km from BodhGaya, there is an international Airport called “ Gaya International Airport”, also known as BodhGaya International Airport. It is the second major Airport of the state after “ Jai Prakash Narayan International Airport”- Patna, which is the capital city of Indian state of Bihar.The Airport code of Gaya Airport is “ GAY” and of Patna Airport ( Jai prakash Narayan international Airport) is “ PAT”. All major international and domestic flights operates from this Bodhgaya Airport as well as Jai prakash International Airport - patna.

Note- Distance between Patna Airport ( Jai Prakash International Airport) and Bodh Gaya via Road is around 116 km.

By Train: BodhGaya is well connected through Railway network. The major station is Gaya Junction which is around at a 16 km distance from Bodh Gaya. The second nearest Railway station is Patna Junction.

Entry Point- 2. Varanasi

By Air:This entry point will let you to the place where Lord Buddha given his first Sermon,called “Sarnath”. Sarnath is 15 km away from holy city Varanasi.Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is the only airport in Varanasi. Varanasi is one of the major city of Indian State of Uttar Pradesh (UP). The distance between Sarnath and Varanasi Airport is around 25km. This airport is situated on the outskirt of Varanasi and from here all major international and domestic flights operates.The Airport code of Varanasi airport is “VNS”.
By Train: Sarnath is well connected through Railway network and there is Railway station too namely Sarnath Railway Station. But the major station is Varanasi Junction station (Popularly known as Varanasi Cantt) from where all major trains pass through.

Entry Point- 3. Lucknow

By Air:This entry point will let you to the place Called -Sravasti where it is believed that Lord Buddha confounded his critics with million fold manifestation of himself, seated on a thousand-petalled Lotus, as fire and water emanated from his body.Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport -Lucknow, is the nearest airport to Sravasti.Lucknow is the capital city of Indian State of Uttar Pradesh (UP).,from here all major international and domestic flights operates.The Airport code of Varanasi airport is “LKO”.
By Train: Charbagh Railway station of Lucknow is well connected through Railway network from where all major trains pass through.

Places to See in Buddhist Circuit

Bodhgaya

This is kind of Mecca of Buddhism Religion, Bodhgaya, located in Indian State of Bihar at a distance of 16 km from Gaya(District HQ) and around 115 km from Patna, the Capital city of indian State of Bihar, this is place where “Siddhartha Gautama” the man who left his kingdom, wife and a child in his mother lap to find Answers of the Questions about Life and reason of Suffering and many more questions and finally got Enlightenment under a Pipal tree in Bodh gaya (Bihar) which is now known as Bodhi Tree, now the sacred importance in Buddhism religion which attracts million of pilgrims from around the world mostly from Japan, Sri- Lanka, Korea, China etc.Apart from Bodhi tree, there is Maha Bodhi Temple is which was built later on in 3rd century B.C by then famous Emperor “Ashoka the Great”.. Now Maha Bodhi Complex is in UNESCO world Heritage Site.

Excursion- The Indian State of Bihar is not just state in general but it is older than History and consist long history to get familiar with. The place which gave the first Republic “ Vaishali” to the world, the place which make “ Siddhartha” Lord Buddha. Let’s have a look what Bihar has to show the world :-

Prag Bodhi Hill( Gaya) :

Around 5km from Bodhgaya , This Hill is located on the bank of Phalgu river and it is believed that Lord Buddha spent almost 6 years here in the caves of Prag Bodhi before moving to then Uruvela now known as the Bodhgaya.

Barabar Caves :

At the distance of around 50 km from Bodhgaya, there is place called Barabar Caves in the district of jehanabad in india state of bihar. It is caves believed to be built by the Great Emperor “ Ashoka the Great” of Mauryan Empire for the Buddhist monks who were also known as “Ajivikas”. This is series of 7 caves, in which 4 are in Barabar and rest 3 are in nearby “ Nagarjuni Hill/ Caves”

Nalanda :

Located in the South of Patna(The capital city) and around 80 km from Bodhgaya, Nalanda is the place which gives the First International Residential University to the world and the ruins of the University can be easily seen there at present. This is not just a place of Buddhist importance but it also witnessed flourishing Jainism, Sufism and Hinduism on his holy land.The major attraction of this place is -

Nalanda University Ruins, Xuanzang Memorial Hall, Grid Kutta Hill-Top (As referred in various text as one of the favorite Meditation spot of Buddha.).

Rajgir :

Located in the Nalanda district of india state of Bihar, Rajgir is just 15 km away from Nalanda city. The former capital of Magadh mahajanapada( State) , located in the lap of scenic lush green Ratnagiri hills, Rajgir is the place where Buddha not just spent his major years but also delivered sermon and proselytized Emperor Bimbisara. It is also the centre of jainism importance too.

The major attraction of this place is - Vishwa Shanti Stupa ( World Peace Pagoda), Saptaparni/Satparni Hills( The place of First Buddhist Council by Buddha's one of the first disciple - “Mahakasyapa”).Giriyak Hills, Bimbisara Jail, Venuvan and Maniar Math( a place of Archaeological Importance ).

Patna :

The capital city of indian state of Bihar has a prolonged profound history of almost 2500years.Situated on the bank of River Ganga, this city was the capital of many dynasties. The best place to get familiar with Patliputra ( Patna) is to visit Patna Museum and recently built the “ Karuna Stupa” which is in the city centre.

Vi. Kesariya :

Located in the district of East champaran near to Nepal border this place is excavated in the year 1998, and Excavated and unearth by Archaeological Survey of India ( ASI), this Stupa is considered as World’s tallest Stupa(104 feet in height). The travel time between Patna to kesaria is around 3hrs 30 min( approx distance 115 km)

In Varanasi-

Varanasi/Banaras or Kashi, by whatever name you call this Holy place, but the most important fact about this is it is older than history and one of the world's oldest city. “ The city of Rising Sun ( Subah-e- banaras) is known for its Ghats, the River Ganga , the Ganga Aarti, the renowned Banarasi Sarees, The one of the 7 jyotir Linga( Vishwanath Temple) and most importantly free lifestyle living and the Place of buddhism importance Sarnath .

Excursion :

From the buddhist point of view - Sarnath is one of the 4 sacred places, Located on the outskirt of Varanasi at a distance of around 15 km, this is the place where Lord Buddha given his first Sermon and after this the “ Buddhist Sangha” came into existence. The ruins and excavated sites can easily be witnessed today. Now this place is under ASI( Archaeological Survey of India) which is maintaining the heritage site and history can be revisited by visiting the Sarnath Museum complex which consist the Statue and other major important things related to Buddha era and Emperor Ashoka. Sarnath is the place from where our national Emblem symbol taken from.

Kushinagar( Place of Nirvana)

Located at a distance of around 250 km from varanasi and around 50 km from Gorakhpur city,well connected via Rail and road network kushinagar is the place where Lord buddha left the world and this incident is known as Mahaparinirvana. This is 3rd place of one of 4 Buddhist Pilgrimage. Excavated in 1876, the statue of reclining Buddha is inside the Mahaparinirvana temple. According to archaeologist, they got many evidence during the excavation of presence of large community of Monks during 11th century A.D

“ It may be after i am gone( saying to disciple) some of you may think, now , we have no teacher.But that is not how you should see it. Let the Dharma & the discipline i taught you be your teacher.All individual things pass away… Strive on untiringly”

{ Buddha’s Last word}

Kausambi –

Located at a distance of around 60km from Allahabad,Kausambi is the renowned centre for Higher Learning for Buddhism, where it is believed that Buddha had given many sermons.Terracotta objects, Cast coins , Ashoka Pillar and many other objects of buddhism importance were found here during the excavation.

Lumbini (Birth Place)

Located in the southern district of Nepal, Lumbini is the place where Lord Buddha was born in 623 BC. This place is now the UNESCO world Heritage site. According to Archaeological evidence , it is find that Emperor “Ashoka the Great” was the first pilgrim who erected the one of his commemorative Pillar here.The easiest way to reach this place from india is by Crossing Indo-Nepal border(Sunauli) at Gorakhpur(India), from Kushinagar, Lumbini is just around 180 km away via Gorakhpur.

Kapilvastu

Located in the present day township Piprahwa in Siddharth nagar district of Nepal, Kapilvastu is the place where Lord Buddha spent his childhood days.

Sravasti

Located at a distance of around 150 km from Lucknow ,Sravasti is place where it is believed that Lord Buddha confounded his critics with million fold manifestation of himself, seated on a thousand-petalled Lotus, as fire and water emanated from his body.The attraction of sravasti is “Ananda bodhi tree”, it is believed that under this tree Lord Buddha meditated for a night and delivered sermons.

Balrampur

Located at a distance of just 19 km km from sravasti on the bank of river Rapti, this place is known for Buddhist and Jain importance monuments. Monatries and ruins.

Sankisa

Located at a distance of around 160 km from Agra, in farrukhabad district, it is believed that Lord Buddha descended at this place from heaven after giving sermon to his mother. To mark this holy place Ashoka the great erected Ashoka Pillar , making it the Elephant Capital.

“ I am not your light,

i am not your authority.

You been with me longtime now.

Be your own light” {Lord Buddha}