Places of Interest
He ancient town of Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh gets its name from Kusha the son of the Legendary God king Ram who founded and ruled the city. The archeological findings in the town date back to the 3rd century BC and belong to the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. Kushinagar today is a major pilgrimage center for the Buddhists in India and also finds mention in the writings of the Chinese traveler and pilgrim Hieun Tsang. It was at Kushinagar that Gautama Buddha attained the Mahaparinirvana. Here’s the list of the best places you can visit in Kushinagar
Mahaparinirvana Temple
It is located in the ruins various ancient monasteries which were founded during the 5th century AD. The temple is famous for its 6.10 meters long statue of Lord Buddha. According to the inscriptions in the ruins, the remains of Lord Buddha have been deposited here.
Kushinagar Museum
The site was opened to the public during 1992-93 and features the various archeological excavations that were found in Kushinagar. Kushinagar museum houses various artifacts like statues, sculptures, seals, coins and banners and a wide variety of different antiquities. The Stucco idol of Lord Buddha built in a striking Gandhara Style is one of the major attractions of the museum.
Ramabhar Stupa
Ramabhar Stupa marks the place where Lord Buddha received the Mahaparinirvana or the Final Enlightenment. The 15 meters high stupa is one of the major attractions in Kushinagar. The stupa is also the most important pilgrim spot for the Buddhists and is situated in a pleasant and lush green vicinity that makes it a must visit tourist spot.
Sun Temple
The temple dedicated to the Sun God was built during the Gupta Period and is mentioned in the Puranas. The temple is famous for its idol of the Sun God which was carved out of a special black stone (Neelmani Stone). The statue was believed to have been found during excavations conducted between the 4th and the 5th centuries.
The ancient city of Kushinagar is the final resting place of Gautama Buddha and thus is considered to be the most important pilgrim spots for the Buddhist followers. From Hieun Tsang to Fa Hein, the city has been an important spot for the Buddhist pilgrim since the ancient times. The aforementioned places will surely help you experience the significance of this city for the Buddhists in the world.
Indo – Japan Srilanka Temple
Having a famed eight metal statue of Gautam Buddha which was transported from Japan, Indo – japan Srilanka Temple is a highly visited attraction in a beautiful town of Kushinagar. The architectural brilliance was erected by the Atago Isshin World Buddhist Cultural Association.
Chinese Temple
Also Dubbed as Lin sun Temple, Chinese Temple is different from the other shrines placed in Kushinagar. It is a blend of Vietnamese and Chinese structural design. Not only this, the temple has a majestic statue of Lord Buddha which allures the tourists from all across the globe.
Thai Temple
One of the main sacred places of Buddhist followers, Wat Thai Temple attracts the travelers with its fabulous architectural beauty. It is enclosed by different varieties of trees and vegetation.
Matha Kunwar Shrine
Matha Kuar Shrine houses a statue of Buddha which is believed to have been constructed of a single stone. One must pay a visit to this temple while on a trip to Kushinagar.
Meditation Park
A small park situated in proximity to the Mahaparinirvana shrine in Kushinagar, Meditation Park boasts of water bodies with bright green exquisiteness making it a perfect destination for meditation. Travelers visit this park to unwind in a peaceful and serene ambience.