BUDDHA PURNIMA 2022: Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti commemorates the birthday of Gautam Buddha. An important festival of people who follow the Buddhist faith, it is celebrated across most of East Asia. This year the festival is celebrated on May 16. On this occasion, let’s take a look at the must-see Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India.
Bodh Gaya, Bihar
It is considered one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mahabodhi Temple complex is home to several sacred sites such as the Vajrasana or Diamond Throne, an 80-foot Buddha statue the Mahabodhi Stupa, and a lotus pond. It also has the famous Bodhi tree under which Prince Siddhartha got enlightenment and Gautam became Buddha. The site also includes monasteries belonging to various sects of Indian Buddhism such as Bhutanese, Taiwanese, Bangladeshi, Thai, and Tibetan.
Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh
Located in Varanasi, the temple complex at Sarnath is the sacred place where Buddha delivered his first sermon. He taught Dhamma and formed the Sangha, a monastic community here. The site is also known to house famous stupas such as Dhamek Stupa (128 feet high) and the remains of the Ashoka Pillar. It also has the oldest museum of the Archaeological Survey of India that exhibits antiquities from the period between the 3rd century BC and the 12th century AD.
Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh
Kushinagar is another pilgrimage site for Buddhists as it is the place where Buddha attained mahaparinirvana or nirvana after death. The site includes the Mahaparinirvana Temple with the image of the Reclining Buddha or ‘dying Buddha’, carved in the 5th century. It is estimated to be over 20 feet long.
Sravasti, Uttar Pradesh
An ancient city, Sravasti is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site as Buddha spent most of his time here after enlightenment. The site is believed to be where Buddha performed several miracles, including one where his upper body radiated flames and the lower half radiated water.
Rajgir, Bihar
Rajgir was the capital of the Magadhan Empire before Pataliputra and is known for its medicinal hot springs. This is sacred to Buddhist followers as it was the place where Buddha stayed during the rainy season. He also delivered important sermons here. The place also includes a Buddhist cave of Saptaparni where the first Buddhist council was held after his death.
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