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"Whether you are a Buddhist pilgrim or simply want to learn more about the sources of Buddhism, you will find Shantum Seth's guided journey to the places in India where the Buddha lived and taught, a deeply enriching and unforgettable experience."

          -Stephen Batchelor, Author of Buddhism without Beliefs

"There are four places, the sight of which will arouse stong emotions in those with faith. Here the Tathagata was born............ Here the Tathagata attained enlightenment........... Here the Tathagata set in motion the Wheel of the Dharma.... Here the Tathagata attained final Nirvana. And, the monk, the nun, the layman or lay woman who has faith should visit these places."

-The Buddha

LUMBINI

In the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal lies Lumbini, the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who was later to become the Buddha. Queen Maya Devi of the Sakya clan was on her way to her parental home when she gave birth to the prince under a tree. A sketch of the Buddha's birthplace at Lumbini

Places of interest:

Ashoka Pillar
Temple of Maya Devi
Tank in which it is said the Prince was bathed
Sacred garden
Library and research centre

KAPILAVASTU

At Kapilavastu stood the palace of Sidhartha's father, King Suddhodhana

Places of interest

Remains of the township and monasteries

Stupa where relics of the Buddha were found

BODH GAYA

Bodh Gaya is where Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha as he sat in meditation on the diamond seat under the Bodhi (Ficus Religiosa) tree.
Places of interest

Bodhi Tree
Mahabodhi Temple
Temples of many Buddhist countries
Cave in Dungasiri mountains where the ascetic monk Gautama practised severe austerities
Uruvela village, where the young Sujata gave the monk Gautama rice cooked in milk to end his period of austerities. The Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya

SARNATH

Ashoka Pillar A sketch of the Lion Capital which was on an Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath

It was in the Deer Park at Sarnath that the Buddha gave his first significant sermons on the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to his five fellow seekers who became the first monks of the order.

Places of interest

The Deer park

The Dhamekh Stupa

The famous Teaching Buddha statue of the 5th century BC

The Ashoka Pillar and Lion Capital

Remains of monasteries from the 3rd century BC

A fine archaelogical museum

VARANASI

The "City of Light" as it is known, is probably oneof the most important towns for Hindu pilgrims who come to the bathing ghats at the banks of the Ganges. A photograph of pilgrims taking a boat ride on the Ganges at Varanasi

Pilgrims take a boat ride on the Ganges in Varansasi

RAJGIR

The state capital of Magadha at the time of the Buddha, Rajgir was where the Mauryan King, Bimbisara, was converted to Buddhism. The Buddha was especially fond of the beautiful Gridhakuta (Vulture Peak) for his meditations at sunset.

Places of Interest.
A photograph of Thich Nhat Hanh in a cave on the way up to Vulture Peak at Rajgir

Gridhakuta hill
Venuvana, a bamboo grove given to the Buddha by King Bimbisara, and the first Buddhist monastery
Satadhara (seven hot springs), where it is said the Buddha came to relieve his arthiritic pain
Jivaka's mango grove (Jivaka was the Buddha's physician)
Jail where King Bimbisara was imprisoned Thich Nhat Hanh sitting in a cave in Rajgir

SRAVASTI

Sravasti was the ancient capital of the Koshala Kingdom, where the Buddha

spent 24 rain retreats, taught meditation on the full awareness of breathing and converted the dreaded murderer, Angulimala. The peaceful Jetavana park was presented to the Buddha by the merchant Anathapindika, who purchased it by covering its grounds with gold coins.

Places of interest

Jetavana park

Ruins of Kosambakuti and Gandhakuti where the Buddha stayed

Angulimala stupa

Old Bodhi tree where Anathapindika planted a sapling

Remains of monasteries and recent excavations

NALANDA

The monastic university of Nalanda was the foremost centre of learning from the 5th to the 12th century AD for metaphysics, logic, medicine, grammar and Buddhist scriptures and practice. Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese chronicler, spent many years here both as a student and as a teacher. A sketch of the Nalanda University

Ruins of Nalanda University

KUSHINAGAR

Reclining Buddha at Kushinagar A photograph of the reclining Buddha statue at Kushinagar

The Buddha died in a Saal forest in Kushinagar and attained mahaparinirvana at the age of 80.

Places of interest

Nirvana Stupa built over the spot where the Buddha died
Makutabandhana Stupa, commemorating the Buddha's cremation
Large stone statue of reclining Buddha at the Nirvana Temple

The Bodhi or the Peepal leaf For more information on the pilgrimage please get in touch with info@buddhapath.com or our contact points. Please click on any of the following:

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