11 Best Road Trips to Buddhist Holy Places in India
Buddhism is one of the greatest ideas that originated in India and changed the course of history all over the world. Today it is the fourth largest religion of the world and is synonymous with many spiritual practices such as Zen, Meditation, and Mindfulness. The fact that Buddha attained enlightenment and spent most of his life in India means there are several Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India. Devotees and pilgrims from the world over head to these sites the year around and these make great tourist destinations for those who have an interest in the history of India. Here are the top Buddhist sites in India that you can visit and gain a valuable understanding of the Buddhist values and teachings.
11 Buddhist Tourist Sites in India
- Sarnath
- Bodh Gaya
- Shravasti
- Kushinagar
- Rajgir & Nalanda
- Vaishali
- Key Monastery
- Dalai Lama Temple Complex
- Tawang Monastery
- Rumtek Monastery
- Namdroling Monastery
1. Sarnath
Sarnath is the place where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon, taught four noble truths and eightfold path called Dhamma, and even formed a monastic community called Sangha. You will also be able to see years old stupas and relics here. The other significant things to see here include the Ashok Pillar and the National Emblem of India. There are several Buddhist monasteries here; thus, you will get a deep idea of Buddhist culture.
- Where: Uttar Pradesh
- Best time to visit: November to February
2. Bodh Gaya
If you are looking for road trips to the Buddhist tourist places in India, there is no way you can miss out on Bodh Gaya. This is the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The Mahabodhi Temple is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple has in its premises an 80-foot Buddha statue called the Mahabodhi Stupa; Bodhi Tree and the Vajrasana, also called as the Diamond Throne; a meditation garden; a lotus pond, Tibetan, Japanese, Chinese, Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Taiwanese, and Thai monasteries.
- Where: Bihar
- Best time to visit: October to March
3. Shravasti
As you find Buddhist sites in India map, you will surely be able to spot Shravasti. After his enlightenment, the Buddha spent the majority of his time at Shravasti. Some of the places that you can visit here include Anathapindika & Angulimala Stupas, Jetavana Monastery, and Anandabodhi Tree.
- Where: Uttar Pradesh
- Best time to visit: October to March
4. Kushinagar
Kushinagar is yet another significant site for the Buddhist community as the Buddha attained his parinirvana here. The site is regularly frequented by Buddhist pilgrims and monks. The places to visit here are the Parinirvana Stupa, Ramabhar Stupa, and Matha Kuar Shrine.
- Where: Uttar Pradesh
- Best time to visit: November to February
5. Rajgir & Nalanda
Rajgir is the place where the Buddha delivered many significant sermons. Try visiting the Vulture Peak when you are here. If you go 15 km ahead of Rajgir, you will be able to see Nalanda Mahavira in Nalanda. Some of the places in Rajgir that you can take a tour of include Shanti Stupa, Gridhakuta Hill, Jivakameavan Gardens and Ajatshatru Fort.
- Where: Bihar
- Best time to visit: October to March
6. Vaishali
Vaishali is the place where Buddha preached his final sermon before his parinirvana.
- Where: Bihar
- Best time to visit: November to March
7. Key Monastery
One of the famous Buddhist temples in India is Key Monastery in Spiti Valley. The monastery is situated at a height of 13,000 feet. This is an important Tibetan center where Lamas receive their religious training. You can see the monastic architecture, Buddha images, collection of scriptures, and murals in this monastery.
- Where: Himachal Pradesh
- Best time to visit: May to October
8. Dalai Lama Temple Complex
The Dalai Lama Temple Complex, located in Dharamshala is the main seat of Tibetan Buddhism. This is also the place where the Dalai Lama lives. His sermons are delivered here. When you are here, you can see Llamas carrying out their daily duties.
- Where: Himachal Pradesh
- Best time to visit: September to June (8 am to 8 pm)
9. Tawang Monastery
Located at a height of 10,000 feet, Tawang Monastery is famous for being the largest monastery in the country. The monastery is itself the biggest attraction in the valley, but you can also enjoy the captivating natural view of Tawang.
- Where: Arunachal Pradesh
- Best time to visit: March to October
10. Rumtek Monastery
Rumtek Monastery is popular for being the Dharma Chakra Centre. It is the political as well as spiritual center of a specific sect of Tibetan Buddhists, known as the Kagyu sect. The architecture of this monastery is famous across the world.
- Where: Sikkim
- Best time to visit: October to June
11. Namdroling Monastery
A significant spiritual center for Nyingma Tibetan Buddhism, Namdroling Monastery is the place where more than 3000 monks live. The monastery was initially built of bamboos, but now you will be able to see big premises and attractive architecture here. The monastery is now visited by many tourists.
- Where: Karnataka
- Best time to visit: October to April
The important Buddhist places are spread all over the country as they trace the development and spread of Buddhism across the continent. As you revisit these places you can also find peace and serenity as they also serve as meditation centers for practicing Buddhists. Taking car rental services by Revv is an excellent idea since you can make the most of the trip and visit nearby tourist destinations. The Revv unlimited kilometers package gives you peace of mind, without worrying you about the distance that you are traveling.
