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Buddhist
Tourist Destinations
 LUMBINI:
One of the most important place of Buddhist pilgrimage is Lumbini,
located near the Nepal-India border. This is where Gautam Buddha
was born to a royal family in 556 B.C.E. Many auspicious signs accompanied
the Buddha's birth, including the sprouting of the bodhi tree. The
great Buddhist ruler Ashoka visited the site two centuries later,
constructing a stupa (mound, usually of earth) and pillar in recognition.
Although largely destroyed now, these remain important marks of
the Buddha's birthplace.
BODHGAYA:
The Buddha attained enlightenment at the age of 29 in the town of
Bodhgaya in India. After settling under a tree, the Buddha made
the resolve not to move until he had achieved enlightenment. After
three days and nights of profound meditation this goal was realised.
The bodhi tree under which the Buddha sat has been destroyed both
intentionally and naturally many times since this time of enlightenment.
It has continued to re sprout and is visible today.The Mahabodhi
Temple marks Bodhgaya. The origins of the Temple are unclear. Some
claim the Temple could have been built as early as the third century
by Ashoka, others claim the Temple was built between the fifth and
seventh centuries. A thriving Monastic Order continues in the area
today, with three monasteries catering for locals and foreigners
alike.
SARNATH:
At Sarnath in the Ganges Valley of India, the Buddha proclaimed
the law of faith. It was here that he taught the keys aspects of
Buddhism: the four noble truths, the eightfold path and the middle
way philosophy. The Buddha encouraged followers to avoid extremes
of austerity or pleasure. The remains of monasteries dating from
the third century B.C.E. to the first century C.E. indicate a thriving
monastic community.
 SHRAVASTI:
Another of the most commonly visited places of Buddhist pilgrimage
is Shravasti. It is here that the Buddha is said to have performed
great miracles. One story tells of how on throwing down the seed
of a mango, a great mango tree instantly arose. Another story tells
of how the Buddha stood in the air, the lower part of his body engulfed
in flames, with five hundred jets of water streaming from the top
of his body.
SANKASHAYA:
In Sankashaya the Buddha descended from the Tushita Heaven. It is
said that during the forty-first year of the Buddha's life, he went
to the Tushita Heaven to teach Dharma to his mother, who had died
shortly after the Buddha's death. Ashoka later built a Temple on
the site. Today, little of the site's glory remains. This is the
only important place of Buddhist pilgrimage where no temples, or
monasteries exist today.
NALANDA:
Nalanda is important both because it was blessed with the presence
of the Buddha, and because of the famous monastic university developed
there. This university also named Nalanda (meaning 'insatiable in
giving') played a central role in the development of Buddhism in
India.
RAJGIR:
Rajgir is another place in the Ganges Valley where the Buddha walked
and preached. Perhaps the most important event of the Buddha's visits
to Rajgir was the conversion of two future disciples, Sariputra
and Maudgalyayana. While Sariputra was credited with greater intelligence,
Maudgalyayana wielded a greater power for miracles.
 GODAVARI:
Situated at the foothills of Pulchowki, this place has splendid
natural beauty. The road from Patan city runs to Godavari to the
southeast, passing through the small, old towns of Harisiddhi, Thaiba,
and Badegaon. A holy place in Nepal, it is also a good picnic spot
amid dense forests. It is the site of the only Royal Botanical Garden
in Nepal. A fish hatchery and a marble quarry also are located here.
PULCHOWKI:
Located around ten kilometers southeast of Patan, this mountain,
2759 meters high, is a good spot for hiking. Rhododendrons of different
varieties and colors from pure white to dark red are found here.
A Buddhist shrine is situated on the top of the hill which can be
reached via a motorable road.
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