Incheon → New Delhi → Amritsar → Dharamshala → Varanasi → Kushinagar → Kesaria → Vaishali → Bodhgaya → Rajgir → Nalanda

Sarnath, also known as Mrigadava, Rishipattana and Isipatana throughout its long history. Mrigadava means “ Deer Park” : The name Mrigadava owes its origin to the fact that herds of deer roamed here freely as they had been granted immunity by the king of Varanasi, moved to compassion by the spirit of self-sacrifice of bodhisattva born an nyagrodhamriga. The modern name seems to be a contraction of saranganatha (lord of deer). Isipatana is the name used in the Pali Canon which means the place where holy men landed. The place was called Rishipatana as “once there lived five hundred pratyeka-buddhas or rishis in a big forest at a distance of a 10 km from Varanasi that once arose to the sky where they attained nirvana and thus their corporeal bodies fell of earth. The word Sarnath derives from the Sanskrit Saranganatha, which means "Lord of the Deer", and relates to another old Buddhist story in which the Bodhisattva is a deer and offers his life to a king instead of the doe the latter is planning to kill. The king is so moved that he creates the park as a sanctuary for deer.

The Chaukhandi Stupa is the place where, during his first visit to Sarnath, Lord Buddha met his first five disciples.

The Sarnath Museum (officially the Archaeological Museum Sarnath) is the oldest site museum of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), established in 1910 to house findings from one of Buddhism's holiest sites. Located near Varanasi, it contains over 6,800 artifacts ranging from the 3rd century BCE to the 12th century CE. Key HighlightsLion Capital of Ashoka: The museum's most famous exhibit, this 3rd-century BCE sandstone sculpture served as the inspiration for the National Emblem of India.Preaching Buddha: A renowned 5th-century Gupta-period statue depicting Buddha in the Dharmachakra Pravartana Mudra (turning the wheel of law).Diverse Collections: Five galleries and two verandahs display Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, terracotta items, and ancient inscriptions from the Mauryan, Kushana, and Gupta periods.

The Mahaparinirvana Temple in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, is a premier Buddhist pilgrimage site marking where Gautama Buddha passed away and attained Parinirvana. It houses a 6.1-meter-long reclining Buddha statue facing west, carved from monolithic red sandstone, which lies on a brick pedestal. The current temple, rebuilt in 1956 on ancient foundations, lies near the 5th-century stupa.

Ramabhar Stupa, also known as Mukut Bandhan Chaitya, is a significant Buddhist site in Kushinagar, India, marking the site where Lord Buddha was cremated around 483 BC. This 14.9-meter high brick stupa, surrounded by green spaces, is located about 1 km from the main Parinirvana Temple and is a major pilgrimage destination for followers worldwide.

The Matha Kuar Shrine (or Matha Kunwar) in Kushinagar is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site located near the Parinirvana Stupa. It houses a 3-meter-tall Buddha statue carved from blue stone in the Bhumisparsha Mudra (earth-touching gesture), marking the spot where Buddha reportedly gave his last sermon before passing away.

Kesariya Stupa, located in East Champaran, Bihar, is the tallest and largest Buddhist stupa in the world, standing at 104 feet with a 400-foot circumference. Initially built in the 3rd century BCE during Ashoka's reign, it was later expanded during the Gupta period (200-750 AD). The site was excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in 1998, though it had been explored since the 19th century. The stupa is linked to Lord Buddha's last journey, where he reportedly donated his alms bowl to the Licchavis at Kesariya before proceeding to Kushinagar. Ancient travelers Faxian and Xuan Zang documented the site's historical significance. Excavations revealed a six-tiered polygonal structure, and discoveries like gold coins of Emperor Kanishka further establish its rich heritage. The stupa is now a protected monument of national importance under ASI.

The Buddha Relic Stupa was built by Lichhavis as a mud-stupa in the 5th century BC. The stupa was later discovered in an archaeological excavation carried out under the aegis of Patna-based K.P. Jayaswal Research Institute during 1958-1962. The relic casket excavated from the core of the stupa contained the holy ashes of Lord Buddha mixed with earth, a piece of conch, pieces of beads, a thin golden leaf and a copper punch-marked coin. The casket was brought to Patna Museum in 1972.

Emperor Ashoka built The Lion Pillar at Kolhua. It is made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by a bell shaped capital, 18.3 m high. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar. There is a small tank here known as Ramkund. This pillar beside a brick stupa at Kolhua commemorates Buddha's last sermon.

Mahabodhi Temple is considered one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, built to mark the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath a sacred Bodhi Tree. Gautama Siddhartha reached on the banks of the Niranjana river, Bodhgaya. There he sat in meditation under a peepul tree, which later became known as the Bodhi tree. Siddharta attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The Buddha then spent the succeeding seven weeks at seven different spots in the vicinity meditating and considering his experience. Several specific places at the current Mahabodhi Temple relate to the traditions surrounding these seven weeks: The first week was spent under the Bodhi tree. During the second week, the Buddha remained standing and stared, uninterrupted, at the Bodhi tree. This spot is marked by the Animeshlocha Stupa, to the north-east of the Mahabodhi Temple complex. There stands a statue of Buddha with his eyes fixed towards the Bodhi tree. The Buddha is said to have walked back and forth between the location of the Animeshlocha Stupa and the Bodhi tree. According to legend, lotus flowers sprung up along this route; it is now called Ratnachakrama or the jewel walk. He spent the fourth week near Ratnagar Chaitya, to the north-east side. During the fifth week, Buddha answered in details to the queries of Brahmins under the Ajapala Nigodh tree, now marked by a pillar. He spent the sixth week next to the Muchlinda pond. He spent the seventh week under the Rajyatna tree.

Mahabodhi Temple is considered one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, built to mark the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath a sacred Bodhi Tree. Gautama Siddhartha reached on the banks of the Niranjana river, Bodhgaya. There he sat in meditation under a peepul tree, which later became known as the Bodhi tree. Siddharta attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The Buddha then spent the succeeding seven weeks at seven different spots in the vicinity meditating and considering his experience. Several specific places at the current Mahabodhi Temple relate to the traditions surrounding these seven weeks: The first week was spent under the Bodhi tree. During the second week, the Buddha remained standing and stared, uninterrupted, at the Bodhi tree. This spot is marked by the Animeshlocha Stupa, to the north-east of the Mahabodhi Temple complex. There stands a statue of Buddha with his eyes fixed towards the Bodhi tree. The Buddha is said to have walked back and forth between the location of the Animeshlocha Stupa and the Bodhi tree. According to legend, lotus flowers sprung up along this route; it is now called Ratnachakrama or the jewel walk. He spent the fourth week near Ratnagar Chaitya, to the north-east side. During the fifth week, Buddha answered in details to the queries of Brahmins under the Ajapala Nigodh tree, now marked by a pillar. He spent the sixth week next to the Muchlinda pond. He spent the seventh week under the Rajyatna tree.

Sujata Stupa, also Sujata Kuti stupa or Sujata Garh, is a Buddhist stupa located in the village of Senanigrama (Bakraur) slightly east of Bodh Gaya in the state of Bihar, India. It lies directly across the Phalgu River from the town of Bodh Gaya, where Gautama Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. It is a walk of about 20 minutes, from Bodh Gaya to Sujata Stupa. It was initially built in the 2nd century BCE as confirmed by finds of Dark Grey polished wares and a punch-marked coin in the monastery nearby

The Sujata Temple (or Sujata Mandir/Stupa) in Bakraur, near Bodhgaya, honors the milkmaid Sujata who famously offered milk-rice to Siddhartha Gautama, ending his seven-year fast and enabling him to follow the "middle path" to enlightenment. The site, located across the Phalgu River, features an excavated 2nd-century BCE stupa ruin, accessible daily.

Dharmaranya (meaning "Forest of Dharma") holds deep historical and spiritual significance for Buddhist tourists as it is one of the ancient names for Bodh Gaya itself. Today, the name specifically refers to the Dharmaranya Vedi (or Temple) located in Bakraur, just across the Phalgu River from the main Mahabodhi complex. Ancient Roots of Enlightenment: Historically, the entire region surrounding the Bodhi Tree was known as Dharmaranya or Uruvela. It was a dense forest where Siddhartha Gautama practiced intense austerities for six years before realizing the "Middle Way".Encounter with Ascetics: Buddhist tradition identifies Dharmaranya as the site where the Buddha met the "Matted-hair Ascetics" (Kassapa brothers) and imparted teachings from the Dhammapada, showcasing the area's role in the early spread of Buddhist philosophy.Path to the Middle Way: The temple is located near the Sujata Stupa in Bakraur, marking the area where the village girl Sujata offered the Buddha rice milk. This pivotal act of compassion provided him the strength to reach enlightenment, making the vicinity a key stop on the "Footsteps of Buddha" pilgrimage.Interfaith Spiritual Heritage: While primarily known as a sacred Hindu "Vedi" for ancestor rituals (Pind Daan), it remains a place of veneration for Buddhists who visit to pay homage to the Buddha's long period of meditation in these woods.

Before descending to the sacred town of Bodh gaya, it is believed that this is the same cave (also called the Mahakala caves), which protected Lord Buddha for six years, before he travelled to Bodh Gaya for attaining enlightenment These caves now house several temples which are widely visited by pilgrims who follow the trail of Lord Buddha’s journey.

This is one of the most ancient sites where the Buddha is said to have preached his Lotus Sermon. Quite true to the meaning of its name as Vulture Peak indeed the peak appears as the shape of a vulture's head with a natural stone formation. The place is also referred as “Gujjhakut” in Buddhist text. One of the most ancient sites where the Buddha is said to have preached his Lotus Sermon was amongst the favorite meditating place of the Buddha. Even today one can feel the deep sense of spiritual power at the peak that is devoid of any man-made grandeur.

Venu Van or Bamboo grove was the Royal park Gifted to Lord Buddha for his Residence at Rajgir by King Bimbisara. It was king Bimbisar's first offering to Lord Buddha. The park was chosen by King Bimbisara since it was a quiet spot suitable for meditation as well as being in a convenient location not too far outside the town.The Buddha spent the second, third and fourth rainy season at Venuvana and many early discourses were preached at this site.A small tank can be seen in the park called Karandak Kanivapa. It is believed that Lord Buddha use to take bath during his stay in the Rajgir .

Nalanda was initially a major trade route that ran through the nearby capital city of Magadha, Rajgir. Jain thirthankara, Mahavira, spent 14 rainy seasons at Nalanda. Gautama Buddha too is said to have delivered lectures in a nearby mango grove named Pavarika. Buddha's one of his chief disciples, Shariputra, was born in Nalanda and later attained nirvana there. The highly formalized methods of Vedic learning helped inspire the establishment of large teaching institutions such as Taxila, Nalanda, and Vikramashila which are often characterised as India's early universities.