Top Buddhist sites to see in India

Buddhist Tourism in India is a pilgrimage tour to the world famous sites related to Gautama Buddha. These religious sites and Buddhist place of pilgrimage are the most important holy place for Buddhists in India. There are three main pilgrimage sites in India for Buddhist Tourism, Bodh Gaya, Kushinagar and Sarnath, Lumbini is in Nepal and a World Heritage Site by UNESCO along with Bodh Gaya in Bihar.

Gaya, Bihar

Located some 110 kilometers from the state of Bihar’s capital city Patna is Gaya district, home to one of the holiest pilgrimage sites revolving around the life of Gautama Buddha for followers of Buddhism. The Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment while sitting under a large peepal tree known as the Bodhi tree at a location which is today known as Bodh Gaya. The Maha Bodhi Temple which features a huge statue of the Buddha in a deep meditation, is another major attraction in Gaya which attracts numerous Buddhists and those curious about the life of the Buddha.

Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh

Kushinagar is one of the four sacred Buddhist places in India as this is where at the age of 81, Buddha passed away. This is also the site of his last lesson where he said “All things must pass. Decay is inherent in all things”. The area houses the Rambhar Stupa which is said to have been built at the same place as where Buddha was cremated. There is also a Mahaparinirvana temple which holds a magnificent statue of Buddha in reclining position. Other than these, there are some temples, stupas, shrines and a museum here. It is one of the most important Buddhist places in India.

Shravasti, Uttar Pradesh

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This ancient town in ruins today was one of the six largest cities in India during the Buddha’s lifetime. The city is the place where the Buddha lived for the longest amount of time. Ancient remains indicate that his teachings had a great following in Shravasti. Several age-old stupas and temples from the Buddha’s times still remain in the town, attracting tourists and followers from around the globe.

Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh

Sarnath marks the beginning of Buddha’s sermons and preaching. It was in a deer park, in this very district that Buddha gave his first sermons, after enlightenment. Sarnath is one of the four sacred Buddhist places in India with structures such as Dhamekh Stupa and Chaukhandi Stupa that celebrate its historical significance.

Barabar Caves

These Buddhist cave temples are the oldest surviving rock-cut caves in India, dating back to the 3rd century B.C.E. Located some 24 km north of Gaya in the state of Bihar, these caves were used by generations of Buddhist ascetics as well as by Jains. The caves are said to have been built by the famous Buddhist Emperor Ashoka. Featuring four major caves, called Karan Chaupar, Lomas Rishi, Sudama, and Visva Zopri, each of which are detailed with inscriptions and elaborate sculptures, these cave structures are said to have greatly influenced the likes of the Ajanta caves in Maharashtra.

Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh

Dharamshala is an important Buddhist tourist destination in India, along with suburb of McLeod Ganj. It is the winter capital of Himachal Pradesh and also one of the famous bird watching spots in India, located in the Kangra Valley and part of the Tea Tourism industry known as Kangra tea. Tsuglagkhang or Dalai Lama Temple Complex near Mcleod Ganj is the official home of the 14th Dalai Lama and a must visit place in Dharamshala.

See more: Conquer the best hiking destinations in India

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Top destinations to visit in North India

Remnants of ancient empires, cosmopolitan cities, spiritual towns, scenic mountains, picturesque lakes and lush valleys are all part of North India’s vast and diverse landscape. This is a list of some of the best places to visit in North India.

Delhi

Delhi is a uniquely historic and cosmopolitan city that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. Its historic monuments, landscaped gardens, amazing food, bustling markets, vibrant art and nightlife scene, diverse cultures and youthful liveliness all make this city wonderfully dynamic. Some notable attractions include the iconic India Gate, Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Humayun’s Tomb, Qutub Minar, Chandi Chowk, Lotus temple and Lodhi Gardens.

Agra

Certainly one of the most well-known places in North India, Agra is famed for its historic sights, which are reminiscent of the Mughal-era. From the iconic Taj Mahal and 16th-century Agra Fort to the ancient city of Fatehpur Sikri, Agra is a dream for architecture aficionados and history buffs.

Varanasi

Dating back to the 6th century BC, Varanasi is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the country. For centuries, it’s been an important site for Hindu pilgrims and spiritual seekers from across the world. People come here to seek the blessings of Lord Shiva and attain inner peace, beside taking a dip in the sacred waters of the Ganges – part of an ancient ritual of purification of soul, body and mind. You’ll see around 87 ghats (flights of steps leading to the river) and more than 2,000 temples, mostly dedicated to Hindu god Shiva. Do not leave without attending the Ganga aarti (prayer ritual held every evening) and enjoying a boat ride along the Ganges.

Amritsar

Amritsar is a treasure in terms of history, culture and gastronomy. The city impresses thoroughly with its breathtakingly beautiful Golden Temple (sacred seat of Sikhism), the Wagah border (crossing lying on the grand trunk road between India and Pakistan) and the Jallianwala Bagh (a massacre memorial and garden). Make sure you try the local Punjabi food, especially the langar at the Golden Temple.

Parvati Valley

Parvati Valley beckons to nature lovers and keen adventurers. Here, visitors can discover picture-perfect villages of Kasol, Malana and Tosh – complete with unspoilt natural beauty, hippie vibes, and outdoor activities such as trekking and riverside camping. Ideal for those seeking respite from bustling city life.

Manali

At an altitude of 2,050 metres in the Beas Valley lies Manali, Manali is one of North India’s best ski places in winter. Come summer when the snows have retreated, it becomes one of the best spots for adventure enthusiasts, who can indulge in river rafting in Beas River, trekking in Rohtang Pass and Beas Kund; paragliding, zorbing and yak riding in Solang Valley. Adventurous outings not your thing? Fret not! Manali has plenty of other places on offer, including ancient temples, Tibetan monasteries, wildlife sanctuaries, art and cultural centres.

Leh-Ladakh

With Himalayas in the south and the Karakoram mountains in the north, Leh-Ladakh is a favourite retreat for trekkers and biking enthusiasts. The place is also home to several Buddhist monasteries overlooking a spectacular panoramic vista of snow-clad mountains and icy glaciers. Those seeking peace can stay at the monasteries and partake in the spiritual retreats.

Rajasthan

Dubbed the ‘Land of Kings’, Rajasthan has been captivating the hearts of locals and tourists alike for years, with its ancient forts, glamorous palaces, exquisite havelis (mansions), diverse landscape, vibrant art and culture, and traditional cuisine. Though there are many worthwhile places to explore in the royal land, the best ones include the imperial cities of Jodhpur, Bikaner and Udaipur, the pink city of Jaipur, the golden city of Jaisalmer and the holy city of Ajmer.

See more: The best destinations for extreme sports in India

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What to do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is fast becoming a favourite among travellers wanting to discover Central Asia. Its capital, Tashkent, has no shortage of things to discover and do, from traditional teahouses to vibrant street art.

Taste fresh produce at Chorsu Bazaar

You could spend weeks wandering around Tashkent’s biggest market, Chorsu Bazaar, which sells everything from clothes and kitchenware to traditional handicrafts and fresh food. Check out the bread section and watch the expert bakers shaping the dough into rounds before using a long paddle to slap it onto the inside of a wood-fired oven, where it sticks to the walls and bakes upside down. Nearby is the fresh produce section, where sellers set out piles of fruits, vegetables and herbs; the sweet melons and grapes are a real treat. Ask to taste before you buy, and always haggle.

Take part in a local pastime: tea

The choyxona (teahouse) has been an institution in Uzbekistan for centuries, and is the perfect place to chat, sip a cup of tea, read the paper or have a nap in the shade. While Tashkent lacks the historical teahouses of other ancient Silk Road cities, you’re never short of somewhere to get a stellar brew. There is a bustling street-food section of Chorsu Bazaar, which is the ideal people-watching spot, perfect for a snack and a pot of tea while you watch the cooks preparing their traditional dishes.

Explore the Museum of Applied Arts

Tashkent isn’t short of museums and monuments, but the Museum of Applied Arts is worth singling out, less for its exhibits than for the gorgeous building that houses them. Dating from the early 1900s, it was once the home of imperial Russian diplomat Alexander Polovtsev, who had it grandly decorated in traditional Uzbek style, full of colour and intricate carvings. He was soon transferred elsewhere, so he never saw this vibrant building finished. His personal collection of handicrafts nonetheless makes up the bulk of the artefacts on show at the museum: carved wooden furniture, elaborate wall hangings, traditional instruments and ceramics.

See the oldest Quran in the world

The Khast-Imom complex is the old religious heart of Tashkent. It is home to the oldest Quran in the world – a colossal book on display at the Muyi Mubarak Library, allegedly stained with the blood of the Caliph Uthman, who was murdered while reading it in 656. It was acquired by Amir Timur in the 14th century and made its way back to Tashkent after a stint in St Petersburg. In fact, it may not really be the oldest Quran, as there is some doubt over when it was made and how it ended up in Tashkent, but hey, who’s going to let such details get in the way of a good story?

Take a ride on the metro

Anyone who has been to Moscow will know that the Soviets took their metro stations seriously, building glittering halls of marble and underground colonnades for city commuters. Tashkent has its own ‘palaces for the people’, and for the ludicrously cheap price of a metro ticket (1,200 som or about £0.11) you can take in the amazing variety of architectural designs of stations all over the city. Highlights include the futuristic Kosmonavtlar, built in 1984; Alisher Navoi, named after the 15th-century poet, with spectacular domed ceilings; and cotton-themed Paxtakor with its blue, white and yellow mosaics.

Track down beautiful murals all over town

Generally speaking, the architecture of downtown Tashkent is nothing out of the ordinary. An earthquake destroyed much of the old city in 1966, and the government took the opportunity to replace the old mahallas (neighbourhoods) with wide boulevards and multistorey apartment blocks. However, there is beauty to be found in unexpected places, and many of these apartment buildings are decorated with huge, colourful murals depicting such diverse subjects as astronaut Yuri Gagarin, construction workers and 11th-century scientist Avicenna. Some of the most impressive can be found in the Mirobod and Mirzo Ulug’bek districts.

Try the favourite local food: plov

You can’t go to Tashkent without trying plov. Uzbeks are extremely proud of their national dish, and will argue at length over which regional variation of the recipe is best. Supermarkets even sell it ready-made in tins (though this is not necessarily recommended). For the uninitiated, plov is a dish of rice, carrots and melt-in-the-mouth lamb, gently spiced with cumin, and sometimes with raisins or other dried fruit, onions and boiled quail eggs to top it all off. Tourist guides insist that you go to the Central Asian Plov Centre, which does boast the biggest rice cauldrons that you will probably ever see, but the plov itself is nothing special; better to pop in to any of the countless cafés that have a huge pan of the stuff bubbling away on the street for a lunchtime plate.

See more: Marvel at these stunning road trips in Asia

Source: Internet