Mahaparinirvana Temple

Kushinagar is situated at an approximate distance of 50 km from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh. While on a tour to Kushinagar, tourists must make it a point to visit the main tourist attractions in Kushinagar. The stupas, temples, museums and viharas in Kushinagar account as the major tourist attractions in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh in India and speak of the religious significance of the place. Kushinagar is the place where Buddha attained mahaparinirvana at the age of 80. Must visit places of Kushinagar are the Mahaparinirvana Temple, Mathakaut Temple, Nirvana Stupa, Wat thai Temple, Muktabandhana Stupa, Japanese Temple and Kushinagar museum.

Mahaparinirvana Temple: this temple is known for its famous reclining statue of Buddha. The statue is 20-feet-long and is placed on a brick platform. Ruins of eight monasteries are found around the main site. This statue was unearthed by British archeologists in the year 1876. On all the four sides of this statue are small carved figures that signify the mourners at Buddha�s death.

The Mathakaut Temple is another place of tourist interest in Kushinagar. This is the spot where a black stone image of Lord Buddha was discovered by some British archaeologists. This image is called the 'Bhumi Sparsha Mudra'. It is said that Buddha delivered his last sermon at this spot.

Nirvana Stupa is situated behind the Mahaparinirvana temple. A brick structure and a copper vessel were unearthed during excavations on this spot. The inscription on the copper vessel shows that the ashes or the remains of the Buddha were put here.

Wat Thai is another tourist attraction in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh in India. This is a replica of the Wat Thai temple of Thailand which has been developed by the Thais. This is built on an area of about 10 acres and in the premise there are small huts, a school, a library, and a hospital. In the miniature gardens within the premise there is a lotus pond and nurseries.

Japanese Temple is another tourist place in Kushinagar which was built by the Atago Isshin, the World Buddhist Cultural Association. This temple is a single circular chamber which houses a golden image of the Lord Buddha.

Muktabandhana Stupa in Kushinagar is the place which is known to house the last remains of Lord Buddha. The stone figure of Lord Buddha which was restored in 413-455 A.D by King Haribala has been placed here in this stupa.

Another important tourist attraction in Kushinagar is the Kushinagar Museum, which was restored in the year 1992-93. Kushinagar Museum houses some of the Buddhist icons, architectural remains, bronzes, clay seals and Buddhist Thangkas often referred to as the banner paintings. The Stucco statue of Lord Buddha in the meditation posture in the Kushinagar Museum is something that people from distant parts of the world come to see.

Touristplacesinindia.com provides detailed online information about the tourist attractions in Kushinagar. Touristplacesinindia.com also offers booking facility for India Tours and Travels.