Places To Visit In Kushinagar | Things To Do | Top Tourist Attractions In Kushinagar
Kushinagar is a town located in the Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site where Gautama Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana . The town is situated 53 kilometers east of Gorakhpur on National Highway 27 . The district is named after the town and has its administrative headquarters at Ravindra Nagar Dhoos . Kushinagar is a popular destination for Buddhists from all over the world. The town is home to several temples and stupas, including the Mahaparinirvana Temple and the Ramabhar Stupa . The Mahaparinirvana Temple houses a 6-meter-long statue of the reclining Buddha, which is believed to be the one that was created at the time of the Buddha’s death . The Ramabhar Stupa is built over a portion of the Buddha’s ashes on the spot where he was cremated by the ancient Malla people.
Best Places To Visit In Kushinagar
Kushinagar is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site, as it is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. Kushinagar is home to several temples, stupas, and monasteries that are of great historical and religious significance.
Some of the popular places to visit in Kushinagar are:
1. Ramabhar Stupa:
Ramabhar Stupa is a Buddhist monument located in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India. It is situated near Buddha Ghat and is one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists in India . The stupa is built to mark the actual cremation site of Lord Buddha .Pilgrims frequent Ramabhar Stupa during Buddhist festivals and significant occasions to partake in religious ceremonies and pay homage. Beyond its religious significance, the stupa also attracts tourists interested in exploring Buddhist history and architectural heritage. Ramabhar Stupa stands as a testament to the final moments and cremation of Lord Buddha, making it a must-visit site for those exploring Kushinagar. According to ancient Buddhist texts, the stupa has been referred to as Mukut-Bandhan Chaitya or Mukta-Bandhan Vihara . The stupa is made out of bricks and is 14.9 meters high . The circular drum of this stupa has a diameter of 34.14 meters at the top and 47.24 meters at the bottom.
3. Baduraon:
Baduraon, a historic village located in the Kasya tehsil of Kushinagar district in Uttar Pradesh, India 1. The village is situated near Badhiwa Pokhara in Baduraon Hola Vantail . Badurao is known for its historic Tila which is believed to be the place where Lord Buddha rested and preached to his disciples . Baduraon in Kushinagar, I recommend reaching out to local authorities, the municipal office, or community resources in the area. They may offer insights into the locality, its features, and any relevant community information. The hillock is situated in a forest and was earlier known as Amarvan . The name of the village was earlier known as Bhognagar and his worshipers used to worship him by making his idols. Eventually, Bhognagar became recognized as 4 Vodh Gram. The present name Badurao has been given at this time
4. Bailey:
The village of Bailey Bakulhar, situated in the Fazilnagar Development Block of Kushinagar district, has historical significance related to Lord Buddha’s visit. Located in Tehsil Kasya, the village holds Ghordhap, marked as Gata number 364/5.062, where the State Nursery Garden Department is presently situated. The area is known for a pond, where the legendary event of Lord Buddha taking water from seven wells occurred The area, just 4 kilometers away from Kushinagar Pavananagar, has potential for tourism development. The administration is urged to focus on the overall development of Dhordhap Pokhara, considering its historical and religious significance, attracting tourists, including foreign visitors. The plea includes a call for infrastructure improvement and preservation of the Buddhist and Jain heritage in the region. The historical background is derived from newspapers and interactions with local elders, revealing that Lord Buddha traversed the ancient Uttarapath route, leaving a significant imprint in the region.
5. Dhanhan:
Dhanhan is a village located in Kushinagar district. The village has a rich history associated with Buddhism and has some ancient Buddhist sites.The story recounts the visit of Lord Buddha to a village called Dhanahan. According to the elders, Lord Buddha reached the village through Usmanpur Veerbhari Garden, passing via Dhortaap Matihiniya Bamwa. In Dhanahan, there is a clean and tidy pond near the Shri Ramjanaki temple, where Lord Buddha rested for the night, despite his slightly unwell health. The village also hosts a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Hanuman. During his stay, Lord Buddha preached to the villagers. The village also has a significant site called Bhita, where an old brick and stone idol was discovered. The late Ramnagina Rai transported this idol to Kushinagar for safekeeping. Near the Bhita, there is a beautiful pond with visible well structures made of old bricks.
6. Mahanirvana Stupa:
The Mahanirvana Stupa is a Buddhist temple located in Kushinagar. It is believed to be the place where Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism, attained Mahaparinirvana, the ultimate salvation . The excavations under the supervision of A.C.L. In 1876-77, Carlleyle unearthed the remains of the primary Mahanirvana Stupa and the reclining Buddha statue. Both the main stupa and the shrine ahead stand on a unified platform, measuring 2.74 meters in height. The reclining Buddha statue discovered here spans 6.1 meters in length and is a monolithic sculpture crafted from a single block of sandstone. The image of reclining Buddha is found resting on his right side with his face towards the west probably indicating the sunset of his life. The right hand is placed under his head possibly as a cushion.The main stupa that stands next to the Mahanirvana Temple was also excavated by Carlleyle in 1876 CE. Additional excavations conducted in 1910 unveiled Jai Gupta’s copper coins along with a copper vessel accompanied by a copper plate. Another vessel discovered contained silver coins belonging to Kumar Gupta. The main stupa is raised on a circular base and crowned with a dome on the top. The stupa measures 19.81m in height.
7. Matha Kunwar:
The Matha Kunwar Shrine is a Buddhist temple located in Kushinagar. It houses a magnificent statue of Buddha that measures 3.05 meters in height and dates back to the 10th-11th century CE. The statue is carved out of a single blue stone from Gaya region and depicts Buddha under the Bodhi Tree in the Bhoomi Sparsha Mudra. The current shrine was built in 1927 CE to safeguard the Buddha image. It is surrounded by ruins of monasteries, stupas, and other Buddhist structures.
8. Japanese Garden:
The Japanese Garden is a beautiful rock garden located in Kushinagar. It is situated in the heart of the city and is a popular tourist attraction. The garden is known for its beautiful greenery and sculpted rock figures with a quaint Oriental touch . The garden was constructed with an aim to help visitors calm down and center themselves via contemplation This temple was constructed by the World Buddhist Cultural Association with generous funding from the Japanese monarchy. The circular chamber within the temple houses a golden statue of Lord Buddha, illuminated through stained glass windows, creating a captivating sight for visitors. Kushinagar is rich in archaeological finds, with excavations revealing remnants of the Malla Empire. The city is known for its important temples, stupas, and historical residues.
9. Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple:
The Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple in Kushinagar is a collaborative effort between the AIK World Buddhist Culture Association Japan and the Sri Lanka Buddhist Centre. Situated in the Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh, India, the temple features a main shrine—a domed brick structure on the first floor, accessible via a flight of stairs. Inside the shrine, an image of Buddha is surrounded by ritualistic objects, and the wall at the back is adorned with several frames of ink paintings. For those planning to visit, the nearest airport is Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, approximately 53 kilometers from the Sri Lanka Temple. The closest railway station is Deoria Sadar, located approximately 35 kilometers away. Visitors can reach the temple by auto-rickshaws or private vehicles, and regular Roadways buses from Gorakhpur and Deoria provide transportation to the temple.
10. Chinese Buddhist Temple:
How To Reach Kushinagar
- By Air:
- Use Kushinagar Airport (Kasia Airport) or Gorakhpur Airport.
- Hire a taxi or use local transportation from the airport to Kushinagar.
- By Train:
- Reach Gorakhpur Junction, the nearest major railway station.
- Take a taxi or bus from Gorakhpur Junction to reach Kushinagar.
- By Road:
- Use state-run or private buses connecting Kushinagar to major cities.
- Drive or hire a taxi for a convenient road journey.
Gorakhpur to kushinagar distance
The distance between Gorakhpur and Kushinagar is approximately 50 kilometers.