Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in India – In the Footsteps of the Buddha

India is the birthplace of Buddhism — a land where Prince Siddhartha became the Buddha and shared the path to enlightenment. For millions of Buddhists around the world, a pilgrimage to the sites associated with the Buddha’s life is a sacred journey of reflection, peace, and spiritual awakening. The Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in India offers travelers a unique opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the Enlightened One, visiting the very places where he was born, meditated, preached, and attained Nirvana.

Why India is the Heart of Buddhist Pilgrimage

India is home to four main Buddhist pilgrimage sites that are directly connected to the life of Lord Buddha, as identified by the Buddha himself:

1. Lumbini – Birthplace (in present-day Nepal, near the Indian border)

2. Bodh Gaya – Enlightenment

3. Sarnath – First Sermon

4. Kushinagar – Parinirvana (death)

In addition to these, many other significant Buddhist sites across India preserve relics, monastic ruins, stupas, and spiritual energy that continue to draw both followers and cultural travelers alike.

Major Destinations on the Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour in India

1. Bodh Gaya (Bihar) – The Place of Enlightenment

• Bodh Gaya is where Prince Siddhartha meditated under the Bodhi Tree and attained enlightenment.

• The Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the holiest shrines in Buddhism.

• Pilgrims from all over the world come here to meditate, chant, and circumambulate the sacred Bodhi Tree.

2. Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh) – The First Sermon

• Located near Varanasi, Sarnath is where Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment, setting in motion the Dharma Wheel (Dharmachakra).

• Visit the Dhamek Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, and the Sarnath Museum, which houses the famous Lion Capital of Ashoka (India’s national emblem).

3. Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh) – The Mahaparinirvana

• Kushinagar is the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana (final liberation).

• The Parinirvana Temple with its reclining Buddha statue is the spiritual centerpiece.

• The Ramabhar Stupa, believed to be the cremation site of Buddha, is also visited by pilgrims.

4. Rajgir and Nalanda (Bihar) – Monastic Legacy

• Rajgir is where Buddha spent many rainy seasons and delivered important discourses.

• The Vulture Peak (Gridhrakuta) and Jivaka’s Mango Grove are notable sites.

• Nalanda was one of the world’s first residential universities and a great center of Buddhist learning. Visit the Nalanda University ruins and museum.

5. Vaishali (Bihar) – The First Buddhist Nunnery

• Vaishali was an important center in Buddha’s life. It is believed he gave his last sermon here.

• It is also where the first Buddhist nuns were ordained.

• The Ashokan Pillar and stupas mark the region’s rich Buddhist legacy.

6. Sanchi (Madhya Pradesh) – Buddhist Art and Architecture

• Sanchi is home to the Great Stupa, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, built by Emperor Ashoka.

• Although not directly linked to Buddha’s life, Sanchi holds great importance due to its ancient Buddhist architecture and carvings.

7. Lumbini (Nepal) – The Birthplace of Buddha

• Though technically in Nepal, Lumbini is a crucial part of the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit.

• Visit the Maya Devi Temple, Sacred Garden, and Ashokan Pillar marking the birthplace of Buddha.

8. Ajanta and Ellora Caves (Maharashtra) – Masterpieces of Buddhist Art and Architecture

The Ajanta and Ellora Caves are among India’s most celebrated monuments of ancient Buddhist art, architecture, and spirituality.

Ajanta Caves:

• Located near Aurangabad in Maharashtra, the 30 rock-cut Ajanta caves date back to the 2nd century BCE to 6th century CE.

• These caves are entirely dedicated to Buddhism, especially the Mahayana tradition.

• Caves include chaityas (prayer halls) and viharas (monasteries) with stunning frescoes, murals, and sculptures depicting the Jataka tales (stories of Buddha’s past lives).

• The art of Ajanta is world-renowned for its grace, realism, and detail — especially the paintings of Padmapani and Avalokiteshvara.

Ellora Caves:

• Located 100 km from Ajanta, Ellora features 34 caves carved between the 6th and 10th centuries.

• Of these, 12 caves belong to the Buddhist tradition, while others are Hindu and Jain.

• The Buddhist caves showcase monastic life with beautifully carved stupas, meditation halls, and Buddha sculptures, including a magnificent seated Maitreya (future Buddha).

Both Ajanta and Ellora are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and stand as symbols of India’s pluralistic and artistic spiritual heritage.

9. Sankasya (Uttar Pradesh) – Buddha’s Descent from Heaven

Sankasya, also known as Sankisa, is one of the eight great places of Buddhist pilgrimage (Atthamahathanani). It is located in Uttar Pradesh, near Farrukhabad.

• Sankasya is believed to be the place where the Buddha descended from the heavenly realm of Tushita after preaching to his mother, Queen Maya.

• According to Buddhist texts, this descent was marked by a triple staircase made of gold, silver, and jewels, created by the god Indra.

• The ancient site has a large Asokan pillar with an elephant capital (partially damaged).

• It is a quiet yet sacred destination for pilgrims, with monasteries built by Buddhists from Thailand and Myanmar.

Although less visited, Sankasya holds deep spiritual importance as a symbol of the Buddha’s compassion and divine outreach.

10. Kesariya (Bihar) – Largest Buddhist Stupa in India

Kesariya, located in East Champaran district of Bihar, is home to one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world.

Historical Significance:

• According to legend, Buddha gave away his begging bowl here before proceeding to Kushinagar, predicting that the villagers of Kesariya would attain enlightenment in the future.

• The Kesariya Stupa, dating back to the Gupta period (circa 3rd–7th century CE), stands about 104 feet tall, and originally may have been taller.

Architecture:

• The stupa is layered like a stepped pyramid and was discovered during a British excavation in the 19th century.

• It is believed to be older and grander than the famous Sanchi Stupa.

Although still being restored, Kesariya offers a quiet, less-touristed experience for those interested in early Buddhist architecture and rural pilgrimage sites.

11. Sravasti (Uttar Pradesh) – City of Miracles and Teachings

Sravasti, located in Uttar Pradesh near the Rapti River, was one of the most frequently visited cities by the Buddha and holds immense importance in Buddhist history.

 Importance in Buddha’s Life:

• Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons (varshavasas) in Sravasti — more than any other place.

• It was the location where he performed several miracles to silence critics and convert non-believers (such as the Twin Miracle where he emitted fire and water from his body simultaneously).

• Many of his sermons were delivered here, and it was home to his famous disciple Anathapindika, a wealthy merchant who built Jetavana Monastery for the Buddha.

Pilgrimage Highlights:

• Jetavana Monastery ruins with ancient stupas, meditation cells, and temples.

• Sacred Ananda Bodhi Tree, believed to have been planted during the Buddha’s time.

• Modern temples and monasteries built by Buddhists from Sri Lanka, Korea, Japan, and Thailand.

Sravasti is a deeply meditative site, ideal for pilgrims seeking both historical insight and spiritual tranquility.