Kushinagar City Travel Guide
- Uttar Pradesh
General Information Of
Kushinagar
 Area
6 sq. km -
Population 13,734
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Altitude 400 m above the
sea level
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Languages Hindi and
English
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Best time to visit October
to March
STD code 05564
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Introduction to city Kushinagar
- In Uttar Pradesh
A small dusty town in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh,
Kushinagar is the place where Lord Gautam Buddha breathed his
last. The religious significance of Kushinagar can be perceived
by the fact that a large number of followers visit this place
everyday. This is also the place where Lord Buddha preached his
last sermon and said, /”All things must pass. Decay is inherent
in all things/”.
Kushinagar was an important centre under Mauryan King Ashoka, a
great Buddhist follower. Most of the religious structures here
were constructed between 3rd century BC and 5th century AD. For
a long time Kushinagar remained lost in the jungles and was
unknown to the world till 19th century when the British
rediscovered it in 1880. Extensive excavations have indicated
the presence of a large number monks here as late as 11th
century AD. A majority of tourists come to Kushinagar during
Buddha Purnima to celebrate the birthday of Lord Buddha.
The place has a tropical climate with extreme temperatures
during summers and winters. Winter days are pleasant with dry
weather and clear sky.
Sightseeing : Places to visit in destination - Kushinagar
One of the four major centres of Buddhism along with Lumbini,
Bodhgaya and Sarnath, there are many places of religious
importance in Kushinagar. Rambhar Stupa is the most
important landmark of Kushinagar. The stupa is said to have been
built on the same spot where Lord Buddha was cremated in 483 BC.
Mahaparinirvana Temple
is another important attraction in Kushinagar with a huge statue
of Lord Buddha in reclining position. Mathakuar Shrine is
the place where Lord Buddha had given his last sermon. There are
many modern temples, stupas, and shrines in Kushinagar built by
various Buddhist countries. A museum here houses objects found
during the excavation of Kushinagar.
Kushinagar Sightseeing :
Places to visit in destination Kushinagar
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Places to visit in the city Kushinagar |
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NIRVANA TEMPLE -
Kushinagar
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The Nirvana temple though a single-room structure is a
major attraction in Kushinagar. The temple has been raised
on a platform and topped by a superstructure confirming to
the traditional style of architecture followed by
Buddhism. A world famous 6-m-long statue of reclining
Buddha lies here. The statue, carved out of sandstone, was
discovered by a British archaeologist in 1876 during an
excavation. There is a small stone railing that surrounds
the statue and shows devotees mourning the death of Lord
Buddha. The statue of Buddha dates back to 5th century AD
according to an inscription that was found in Kushinagar.
The statue was brought from Mathura to Kushinagar by
Haribala, a Buddhist monk, during the period of Gupta
Empire. |
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RAMABHAR STUPA -
Kushinagar
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The Ramabhar Stupa or Mukutabandhana stupa is situated at
a distance of around one kilometre from Nirvana Temple.
This 14.9 metre high brick stupa is built on the same spot
where Lord Buddha was cremated in 483 BC. According to the
legend, the stupa was built by the Malla kings who ruled
the region when Buddha died. |
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NIRVANA STUPA - Kushinagar
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The stupa made of bricks was discovered by some British
archaeologists during an excavation carried out in 1876.
It is located behind the Nirvana Temple and subsequent
excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India led to
the discovery of a copper vessel containing the remains of
Lord Buddha. There is an inscription on the vessel
informing that the ashes of Lord Buddha had been interred
in this place. Apart from the copper vessel, cowries, a
gold chain, and precious stones were also unearthed from
this place. |
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MATHAKUAR SHRINE -
Kushinagar
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The place where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon
before his death. It is certainly one of the more
interesting sites in Kushinagar. The site is located near
the Nirvana Stupa and the excavations unearthed a
black-stone statue of Lord Buddha in the bhumi sparsha
mudra (the pose of Buddha where he touches the earth with
his fingers). |
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CHINESE TEMPLE -
Kushinagar
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The Chinese Temple is a colourful structure and houses a
beautiful statue of Lord Buddha that attracts a large
number of tourists. The temple has been reopened as
International Meditation Centre. |
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JAPANESE TEMPLE -
Kushinagar
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A statue of Lord Buddha made of Ashta Dhatu (eight metals)
is installed in this temple. The statue has been brought
from Japan. |
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KUSHINAGAR MUSEUM -
Kushinagar
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 The
Archaeological Museum or the Kushinagar Museum has a good
collection of objects excavated from various stupas and
monasteries in Kushinagar and places around it. The museum
is located not far away from the Indo-Japan-Sri Lankan
Buddhist Centre and you can see many artefacts that
include statues and carved panels displayed here.
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Excursions : Places nearby city
- Kushinagar
Entire Eastern India and some neighbouring places in Nepal are
full of places closely associated with life and times of Lord
Buddha. The region has a history dating back to several
centuries before Christ. Many of the dynasties of this region
gave patronage to Buddhism.
Gorakhpur
is a major railway junction and the best place from where you
can visit the Buddhist pilgrimage centres like Kushinagar,
Kapilavastu, and Lumbini. Kapilavastu was the capital of
Shakya Clan, of which Gautam Buddha was a prince. Lumbini
is the place where Lord Buddha was born and named Siddhartha.
Kushinagar Excursion :
Places nearby Kushinagar - Uttar Pradesh
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Places to visit nearby destination - Kushinagar |
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Gorakhpur
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Situated 50 kilometres away from Kushinagar, Gorakhpur is
the most convenient base for the travellers going to
Kushinagar. The place is the headquarter of North Eastern
Railway Zone of Indian Railways and is also a main transit
point for the overland journey to Nepal from India.
Gorakhnath Temple in the city is its main pilgrimage and
tourist centre from which it also derives its name.
Dedicated to the Sage Gorakhnath, the temple complex has a
number of shrines. Geeta Press, the largest publisher of
Hindu religious literature is also situated in Gorakhpur.
Other attractions include Golghar, the main shopping
centre of the city and Indira Children/’s Park.
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Kapilavastu (Piprahwa)
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Kapilvastu, once the capital of Shkya clan, is identified
as the modern day Piprahwa in Siddharthnagar district (Gorakhpur).
There is a stupa that once contained the relics of Buddha.
Here one can also find the ruins of the place where Buddha
completed his first 29 years of life. |
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Lumbini
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Considered as the birthplace of Lord Buddha, Lumbini is
situated 250 kilometres south-west of Kathmandu. The main
attractions here are the broken Ashokan Pillar, remnants
of an old monastery, and images of Buddha’s mother Maya
Devi. |
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