Buddhist places in India

India is known for rich Buddhist culture and heritage. There are numerous Buddhist places in India with Bodhgaya being the capital of Buddhism.

A wide variety of guided and informative tours are organized Buddhist places all over in India which helps our tourists connect better with Buddhist culture and philosophies. Checkout the tour packages we offer to the Buddhist places in India here.

Buddhist places in India

1) Bodh Gaya:

Bodh Gaya in Bihar is the place where Shakyamuni Budhha attained enlightenment around 2600 years ago. It is the most holy place for the followers of the Buddhist from faith all over the world. It is situated at the banks of river niranjana. Buddha attatined enlightenment under the bodhi tree here which is located in Mahabodhi Temple. Unesco has declared the Mahabodhi temple a world heritage site since 2002.

The Mahabodhi temple complex has Seven important places – Vajrasna, Animesh Lochana Chaitanya, Cankamana, Ratnahara, Ajpala Nigrodha Tree, Muchalinda Sarover and Rajayanta Tree. These are the places where Buddha spent his time after attaining enlightenment. besides this there are many beautiful monasteries built by different countries . BodhGaya resonates of a multi cultural and spiritual place.

Places to see

Mahabodhi temple
Temple of Bhutan,
Temple of China,
Temple of Japan,
Temple of Myanmar,
Temple of Nepal,
Temple of Sikkim,
Temple of Sri Lanka,
Temple of Taiwan,
Temple of Thailand,
Temple of Tibet
Temple of Vietnam
25-metre statue of Buddha
Sujata garh
Sujata temple

How to reach

Air : Bodh Gaya International Airport is situated 7 km from Bodh Gaya and approximately 10 km from Gaya Railway Station. Patna airport approx 130 kms. 

Rail: Gaya railway station approx 17 kms from bodhgaya. 

Road: Bodhgaya is about 17 km from Gaya City. The NH83 Highway connects Gaya and bodh Gaya. From patna aprrox 127 kms. Bodh Gaya International Airport is situated 7 km from Bodh gaya and approximately 10 km from Gaya Railway Station. For Local Transport is also available autos, Taxis and Buses are available.

Weather

Summer season: Summers varies from March to june. Temperature ranges from a maximum of 45°C to 47°C to a minimum of 27 °C during this period. Preffered clothing is cotton clothes for comfort in this season.
Monsoon season: Monsoon varies from June to september .Climate is pleasant in this season that allows the tourists to enjoy and view the famous sights.

Winter season: Winter varies from December to February. Preffered clothing is warm clothes for this  season.

2) Rajgir:

Rajgir is a city with great historical significance, situated in the Nalanda district of Bihar, India. The city of Rajgir was the capital of the kingdom of Magadha, which evoloved into the Mauryan Empire. The city was fortified by the five hills and the stone wall which was built and still exists in parts. It is considered to be Buddha’s favourite place for meditation.

Places to see

Chariot Wheel Mark and Sheel Characters
Vishwa Shanti Stupa(Rope way)
Griddhakuta Peak
Hiuen Tsang Memorial Hall
Ghora Katora Lake
Venu Vana Kalandakanivapa
Rajgir Hot Springs
Sonabhandara Caves
Veerayatan Museum
Jivaka’s Mango Garden
Fort of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara”s Prison
Ashoka Stupa Peak
Bimbisar Jail
Swarna Bhandar
Yesthivana
Jarasandha’s Baithak
The Cyclopean Wall
Jarasandha ka Akhara
Saptaparni Cave
Maniyar Math
Shankhalipi Inscriptions

How to reach

Air: The nearest is Gaya International Airport, approx is 80 km which is connected to many International Destinations. Another airport is at Patna 110 km.

Rail: nearest convenient rail staion is at Gaya 80 km.

Road: Rajgir is connected by road to Patna – 110 km, Nalanda – 15 km, Gaya – 80 km,
For Local Transport is also available Taxis and Buses and Tongas are available.

Weather

Summer season: Summers varies from March to june. Temperature ranges from a maximum of 45°C to 47°C to a minimum of 27 °C during this period. Preffered clothing is cotton clothes for comfort in this season.

Monsoon season: Monsoon varies from June to September .Climate is pleasant in this season that allows the tourists to enjoy and view the famous sights.

Winter season: Winter varies from December to February. Preferred clothing is warm clothes for this season.

3) Nalanda:

Nalanda in the ancient kingdom of Magadha was an acclaimed Mahavihara. Mahavihara is a large Buddhist monastery. It is situated in the state of Bihar in India. It was a centre of learning from the 5 CE. To 1200 CE. Many Historians often characterize Nalanda as a as great and huge university. At its peak, the school had scholars and students from many places some as far as from Tibet, China ,Korea, and Central Asia. The Chinese traveller Hieun-Tsang came and studied here for around five years.

Places to see

Ruins of Nalanda University
Nalanda Archaeological Museum
Hieun-Tsang Memorial Hall
Nalanda Multimedia Museum[edit]

How to reach

Air: The nearest is Gaya International Airport, approx is 100 km which is connected to many International Destinations. Another airport is at Patna 90 km.

Rail: nearest convenient rail staion is at Gaya 100 km.

Road: Nalanda is connected by road to Patna – 100 km, Rajgir – 15 km, Gaya – 100 km,
For Local Transport is also available Taxis and Buses and are available.

Weather

Summer season: Summers varies from March to june. Temperature ranges from a maximum of 45°C to 47°C to a minimum of 27 °C during this period. Preffered clothing is cotton clothes for comfort in this season.
Monsoon season: Monsoon varies from June to september .Climate is pleasant in this season that allows the tourists to enjoy and view the famous sights.
Winter season: Winter varies from December to February. Preffered clothing is warm clothes for this season.

4) Vaishali:

This city is important in the history of Buddhism as it hosted Lord Buddha five years after he had attained enlightenment. Here Lord Buddha elucidated the path of peace and Nirvana and substantiated some extraordinary and divine presentations of his spiritual superiority, inducting the masses to Buddhism. As the legend goes the famous courtesan Amrapali became Buddha”s disciple here and donated here mango grove to Buddhust monks. A stupa in the memory of Amarpali is also situated here.

Places to see

Buddha Relic Stupa (Lichhavi Stupa)
Ashok Pillar
Lion Pillar
Vishwa Shanti Stupa
Amarpali Stupa (known as Pir Ka Mazhar
Chakramdas Stupa (Built in memory of Ananda)
Vaishali Archaeological Museum.
Abhiskek Pushkarn (Coronation Tank)
Bawan Pokhar Temple
Nepali Temple
Kutagarshala Vihara

How to reach

Air: The nearest is patnal Airport, approx is 70 km Another airport is at Patna 90 km.
Rail: nearest convenient rail staion is at Muzaffarpur 40 km.
Road: patna 90 kms. For Local Transport is also available Taxis and Buses and are available.

Weather

Summer season: Summers varies from March to june. Temperature ranges from a maximum of 45°C to 47°C to a minimum of 27 °C during this period. Preffered clothing is cotton clothes for comfort in this season.
Monsoon season: Monsoon varies from June to september .Climate is pleasant in this season that allows the tourists to enjoy and view the famous sights.
Winter season: Winter varies from December to February. Preffered clothing is warm clothes for this season.

5) Ajanta:

The Ajanta Caves are situated in the Aurangabad district of Maharashtra, India. There are almost 30 rock-cut Buddhist cave monuments which are dated from the 2nd BCE to about 480 or 650 CE. since 1983, the Ajanta Caves have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These caves house a series of paintings and sculptures. Archaeological Survey of India describes them as “the finest surviving examples of Indian art, particularly painting”,as they are masterpieces of Buddhist religious art. There are many figures of the Buddha and some figures depict the the Jataka tales. It is belived that the caves were built in two phases starting around the 2nd century BCE, with the second group of caves built around 400–650 CE.

These caves are a preservation of some exemplary Buddhist sculptures and architecture. The layout of these caves reflect them as organised structure, with many of the caves well connected with the exterior. In its prime it could be home to many hundred monks who studied and lived here.

How to reach

Air: Aurangabad in Maharashtra is the nearest Air point for Ajanta it has many flights from delhi and Mumbai. It is apporx 110 kms from Ajanta caves.
Rail: Jalgaon in Maharashtra is the nearest railway station. It is approx 60 kms from Ajanta caves.
Road: Ellora caves approx 110 kms.

Weather

Summer months range from March to May, the weather is hot and humid
Monsoon ranges from June to September
Winter ranges from November to February
Winter and rainy seasons are the best time to explore Ajanta Caves, as the weather is very pleasant during this time.

6) Ellora caves:

Ellora caves are situated in the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra, India. They were built by the Rashtrakuta dynasty(Buddhist and Brahmanical group of caves ) and Yadav (Jain group of caves). Ellora caves were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ellora caves represents the epitome of Indian rock-cut architecture There are 34 caves which are actually structures excavated out of the vertical face of the Charanandri hills. These caves consist of Buddhist, Hindu and Jain rock-cut temples. Ellora caves came up later than Ajanta were built between the 5th ce to 10 ce. It is a protected monument under theArchaeological Survey of India. The ellora caves have breathtaking and tranquil artwhich consisit of 12 Buddhist (caves 1–12), 17 Hindu (caves 13–29) and 5 Jain (caves 30–34) caves. These mystical caves portray a common thread between the three different faiths that is Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism.

How to reach

Air: Aurangabad in Maharashtra is the nearest Air point for Ajanta it has many flights from delhi and Mumbai. It is apporx 45 kms from ellora caves.

Rail: Aurangabad in Maharashtra is the nearest railway station. It is approx 45 kms from Ellora caves.
Road: Ajanta caves approx 110 kms.

Weather

Summer months range from March to May, the weather is hot and humid
Monsoon ranges from June to September
Winter ranges from November to February
Winter and rainy seasons are the best time to explore Ajanta Caves, as the weather is very pleasant during this time.

7) Leh:

Leh is at an altitude of 3524 metres (11,562 ft).it is the biggest distrist of ladakh situated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in India. Stated as the land of Buddha is a reverent of Buddhist are Shey, Spitukand Thiksey. A rare architectural construction; at The Namgyal Tsempo Gompa, comprising a beautiful Gold idol of Lord Buddha is worth visiting.

Places to see

Shanti Stupa.
Leh Palace.
Hemis gompha
Ladakh Marathon
Leh Trekking Trails.
War Museum.
Chamba Temple.
Jama Masjid.
Gurdwara Pathar Sahib
Jo Khang Gompa.
Namgyal Tsemo Gompa.
Sankar Gompa.
Stok Palace.
The Victory Tower.
Zorawar Fort.
Magnetic hill
Pangong Lake
Tsomoriri Lake
Khardongla
Hunder Valley
Alchi Monastery
Sand Dunes Nubra
Siachen Glacier
Ti-suru
Turtuk

How to reach

Air: Ladakh is well connected by air with New Delhi, Jammu and Srinagar.[1]
Train: The nearest railway station is Jammu Tawi which is connected with all major cities and towns in India.
Road:Leh is well connected by good motorable roads.
1050 km from Delhi
440 km from Srinagar
230 km from Kargil
500 km from Manali
385 km from Keylong
700 km from Jammu.

Weather

It has harash winters when the temperature is as below as -30 deg Celsius. From December to march the temperature remains in minus.
Rainfall is very less. It has a desert like landscape with occasional sand storms. On a clear day it is very hot and one can get a sun burn.
The best time to visit is between may and September.

8)Sankasia:

Located in the Farukhabad central region of Uttar Pradesh is believed to be the location where Lord Buddha descended post offering sermons to his mother in heaven. It is also considered a place where Buddha gave teachings of Abhidhamma to sariputta .The place is marked with a calm and heavenly Buddha Temple.

Places to see

Ashokan pillar
Buddha temple
Srilanka Buddhist Monastery
Myanmar Buddhist Temple
Thai Buddhist Temple
Japan Buddhist Monastery
Bisaridevi Temple

How to reach

The best way to reach sankisia is by Agra. It is approx 185 kms .

Weather

Summer season : The summer season extending from the month of April to June. Monsoon season : The month of July to October.
Winter season : from November till the month of March.

9) Sanchi:

Sanchi stupa is situated 45 km away from Bhopal in the state of Madhya Pradesh ,india. The magnificent Sanchi stupa is clearly visible from almost 4 kms amidst lush green landscape. It is built on a hill whose height is 91 m (298.48 ft.) .it is a place where Mahendra, son of Asoka, who came to meet his mother Devi, perhaps living in one of the cells of the monastery located near Stupa 2, after becoming a monk clothed in saffron cloths and a begging bowl in hand. It was from here, Mahendra, embarked on the missionary journey to Ceylon (sri lanka)for propagating the message of the Buddha.
It is Stated as a World Heritage site, also known with names like Kakanaya, Kakanava, Kakanadabota and BotaSriparvata. It is a significant Buddhist destination mainly famous for the varied Buddhist art and architectural specimens. One can visit numerous Stupas, Monastries, Temples and Pillars from the 3rd century over here.

Places to see

Sanchi stupa
Sanchi museum
Buddhist Vihara
Udaygiri Caves

How to reach

Air: Raja Bhoj Airport at Bhopal is the nearest airport. It has Regular flights from major Indian cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Indore, Chennai and Raipur.
Train: Vidhisha and Bhopal are the closest railway stations. regular Trains connect Vidisha to all the major cities of India like Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, etc.
Road: Sanchi is well connected to Bhopal by taxis and frequent bus services. Bhopal to sanchi is approx 50 kms.

Weather

Summers are generally hot from March to June.
The monsoon season lasts from mid June to mid September..
Winters lasts from November to February

10)Amravati:

Amaravathi is located in the state of Andhara Pradesh, India. It is located on the banks of Krishna River inA maravati mandal of Guntur village. A Buddhist stupa was built during the reign of Ashoka in 2 BCE, was carved with panels that tell the story of Buddha. The stupa is related to the Vajrayana teachings of Kalachakra, practiced today in Tibetan Buddhism. HH Dalai Lama of Tibet conducted a Kalachakra ceremony here in 2006.. It houses India’s largest Stupa. The museum here adorns the excavated statues and sculptures, along with history stating the discovery, misappropriation, ruining and further shielding and conserving the same.

11) Kesariya:

Also know as Kesaputta during the times of Buddha is a destination to visit the world’s largest stupa; Kesaria Stupa, built commemorating the last days of Lord Buddha and his humanitarian teachings and approach towards mankind.
This Stupa is in fact one of the many memorable stupa remarkable event in the life of Buddha. Kesaria has a lofty brick mound capped by a solid brick tower of considerable size, which it self is the remain of a Buddhist Stupa. The mound is a ruin with a diameter of 68 feet at its base and a total height of 5½ ft. originally it was crowned by a pinnacle which must have stood 80 or 90 ft above the ground. General Cunningham dated this monument to AD 200 to 700, and held that it was built upon the ruins of a much older and larger Stupa.
It is the highest Stupa found in the country with a height of about 104” from the base.

11) Nagarjunkonda:

A Buddhist pilgrimage while travelling towards southern part of India, named after a renowned Buddhist Monk “Nagarjun‘’. A place famed for its Buddhist stupas, statues, pillars and monasteries. It is also considered as one of the richest Buddhist learning centre.

12)Sikkim:

Situated in the splendid Himalayan ranges this small Indian state hosts numerous Buddhist temples, monasteries, historical Buddhist sites and learning centres; reflecting the Buddhist traditions, cultures, beliefs and values of Buddhism. Some of the significant Buddhist tourist attractions in here are Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre, Do Drul Chorten, Deer Park, Khecheopalri Lake, Namgyal Research Institute of Tibetology and newly built Buddha Park to commemorate the 2550th birth anniversary of Gautam Buddha.

13)Darjeeling:

Various Buddhist Monasteries established in Darjeeling depict the Buddhist association of this small city of West Bengal. The Buddhist attractions here are Dali Monastery, Bhutia Busty Monastery, Shakya Monastery, Yiga Choling Buddhist Buddhist Monastery and Darjeeling Peace Pagoda.

14)Bharhut:

Located in Madhya Pradesh, famed for its Buddha Stupa; representing the earliest example of Buddhist art and architecture for instance Buddhist Sanskrit inscriptions from back date of 10th century.

15)Kanheri:

Coming to Buddhism in western part of India, Kanheri caves take you to the journey of understanding the ancient monastic life of 1st century B.C., and were occupied for long till decline of Buddhism. Inscribed in these caves are the arts and carvings portraying both Hinayan and Mahayana Buddhism.

16)Karli:

Acknowledged for the Karla caves carved during 2nd century B.C., these caves have a Buddhist temple complex cut out of stones. These caves also host a Buddhist monastery as old as 2nd century B.C… The place is mainly linked with the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism.

17) Dharmashala:

Dharamshala situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh , India. The main places to see are the Dalai Lama’s residence in romil McLeodGanj . It is surrounded by dense coniferous forest consisting mainly of stately Deodar cedar trees.

Places to see

McLeodGanj(Makalodaganj)
Bhagsunath(Gandunath)
Dharamkot(Chutiyakot)
Naddi
Kotwali Bazaar (the main market)
Sidhbari (where the Karmapa is based).
Triund hill( one day trek at the upper reaches of McLeodGanj, about 9 km from McLeodGanj)

How to reach

Air: Dharamshala is 15 kms by Gaggal Airport at Kangra, Himachal Pradesh
Train: Pathankot railway station approx 100 km .
Buses of all classes (deluxe, air-conditioned, and regular) ply daily between Dharamshala and major cities such as Chandigarh, Delhi, and Shimla.

Weather

Summer starts in early April, peaks in early June
From July to mid-September is the monsoon
Winter starts in December and continues march. Snowfall and sleet are common during the winter in upper Dharamshala (including McLeodganj, Bhagsu Nag and Naddi).
The best times to visit are the autumn and spring months.

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