The Buddhist Circuit is a spiritual travel route connecting the most important locations associated with the life of the Lord Buddha. These include Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar. The Buddhist Circuit is vital for spiritual seekers of Buddha & his ideologies.
Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining the path of peace and enlightenment at Sarnath, located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Sarnath is an ancient site that houses stupas, monasteries, and the iconic Dhamek stupa. The temple symbolizes Buddha’s teachings of Dharma.
Mahabodhi Temple is a landmark where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. This 3rd-century BC old temple is situated in Bodh Gaya; the architectural marvel with complex carvings and a dazzling spiritual ambience is what makes it an important Buddhist heritage site in India & the world.
It is the place where Buddha attained Parinirvana or final nirvana after his death. The main attractions here are the Ramabhar Stupa, which is thought to be the location of Buddha’s cremation, and the Mahaparinirvana Temple with a lying statue of the Buddha.
This monastery was established in the 17th century and is a key spiritual hub where monks practice Buddhism in its most profound form, attracting pilgrims from around the world. The Tawang Monastery is located in Arunachal Pradesh, is a majestic Buddhist monastery.
Located in Ladakh, the Golden Temple is a striking Buddhist monastery with golden-hued stupas and murals reflecting Tibetan Buddhist traditions. It is a symbol of serenity and devotion, making it a top Buddhist temple to visit in India.
The massive stone and brick Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh, is where Lord Buddha's first sermon upon enlightenment was held. It is 43.6 meters high, with elaborate flower and text carvings, constructed in 500 CE, that draws spiritual seekers from all over the world.
After achieving enlightenment, Lord Buddha met his first follower at the Chaukhandi Stupa in Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh. Originally constructed as a hillside temple during the Gupta era, the Mughals later transformed it into an octagonal tower.
An important but little-known Buddhist pilgrimage destination, Sankissa/Sankisa, is situated in Uttar Pradesh. As the story states, after teaching Abhidhamma to his mother, the Lord Buddha fell from the Trayastrimsa heaven (also known as Tushita). Later, Emperor Ashoka placed an elephant capital and a stone pillar to mark the location.