Ideally pilgrimages are extensive and rigorous journeys meant to be undertaken in view of attaining salvation or spiritual elevation. However, they are also referred to as trips embarked on to a sacred place or shrine of significance to a person�s faith. Buddhism, a religion that was born in India, has grown to be a faith of universal acceptance among several people around the world. A Buddhist pilgrimage, therefore, has become a major option amongst religious followers all over the world.
A Buddhist pilgrimage tour will take you to several destinations of Buddhist religious significance. If you are a part of the holiday packages you will be able to experience a hassle free travel with the booking of hotels, transportation and sightseeing being taken care of by the agents.
Some of the must visits on a Buddhist pilgrimage are Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Kapilavastu and Sanchi. Located in Nepal, at 122 km drive from Gorakhpur city in Uttar Pradesh of northern India, Lumbini is where the great religious scholar was born to Maya Devi and King Suddhodhana of Kapilavastu. Lumbini offers a host of tourist attractions of religious importance as follows:
Maya Devi Temple - The temple houses the statue of Maya Devi.
The Ashoka Pillar - The Ashoka Pillar, built by Ashoka is a wonderful piece of art, with illustrations of an ancient Buddhist tale.
The Pushkarini - Situated to the south of the Ashoka Pillar, this pond is where Maya Devi took a holy dip before the birth of Lord Buddha.
The Buddhist monastery � A typical Buddhist temple, this structure displays exclusive architecture of the walls with some exquisite murals resembling the medieval period.
Bodhgaya is the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Situated by the river Phalgu, at a distance of 7 miles from Gaya, it offers plenty of destinations to be visited for the tourists. The Mahabodhi Tree is perhaps the most sacred spots for the Buddhists as the Lord sat under this tree for the long meditation and ultimately attained salvation here. The Mahabodhi Temple located near this tree is also a major tourist attraction with its magnificent architectural displays.
Sarnath around 10-km from the famous Hindu pilgrimage Varanasi is where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Once here you cannot miss visits to the places like Dhamekha Stupa, Chaukhandi, and Digambar Jain temple.
Located at a distance of 53 km west of Gorakhpur, in Uttar Pradesh, Kushinagar is where Lord Buddha left for heaven and attained Mahaparinirvana. Nirvana Stupa and Wat Thai temple are the two important tourist sites here.
A Buddhist pilgrimage is perfect with visits to the places like Kapilavastu, where the Buddha spent his childhood; Ajanta and Ellora Caves (UNESCO site) that display illustrations related to Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism and Sanchi (UNESCO site), a stunning example of Buddhist architecture.
Log on to www.touristplacesinindia.com which gives online information about Buddhist Pilgrimage, and booking for India travel tours on your tour to India.
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