India is a land of rich cultural heritage and spiritual diversity. Among the many religions that have flourished in this country, Buddhism has a special place as it originated here and spread to other parts of Asia and the world. Buddhism is based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha, who attained enlightenment under a Bodhi tree in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. He then traveled across India and Nepal, preaching his doctrine of the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to end suffering and attain nirvana.
Buddhism left behind a legacy of magnificent monuments, known as stupas, which are among the famous places of buddha in india. Stupas are places of worship and meditation for Buddhists, as well as symbols of the Buddha’s presence and enlightenment. India has some of the most famous and ancient stupas in the world, which attract pilgrims and tourists from all over the globe.
Some of the famous Buddhist stupas in India are:
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Great Stupa at Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh: This is one of the oldest and best-preserved stupas in India, built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. It has a diameter of 36 meters and a height of 16 meters, and is surrounded by four ornate gateways, called toranas, that depict scenes from the life of the Buddha and his previous incarnations. The stupa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also featured on the 200 rupees note.
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Dhamekh Stupa at Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh: This is a massive cylindrical stupa, built in the 5th century CE, that marks the spot where the Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. It is decorated with floral and geometric patterns, as well as inscriptions in Brahmi script. The stupa is part of a complex that includes an Ashoka pillar, a museum, and several temples.
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Kesaria Stupa at Kesaria, Bihar: This is the tallest stupa in the world, with a height of 104 feet. It is said to contain the remains of the Buddha’s alms bowl. The stupa has five terraces, each with a niche containing a statue of the Buddha. The stupa is also associated with a legend that the Buddha gave his last sermon here before departing for Kushinagar.
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Amaravati Stupa at Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh: This is one of the most beautiful and artistic stupas in India, built between the 2nd and the 3rd century CE. It is adorned with intricate carvings of the Buddha, bodhisattvas, animals, and scenes from the Jataka tales.
If you are interested in visiting these and other famous Buddhist stupas in India, you can check out IRCTC's Buddhist Tour Packages with the IRCTC Buddhist Train, which is a special train designed for Buddhist pilgrims and tourists. The train offers a comfortable and convenient way to explore the Buddhist circuit, which includes Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Varanasi, Sarnath, Lumbini, Kushinagar, and Sravasti. For more information, visit IRCTC Buddhist train.