Places to Visit in Kushinagar
In Uttar Pradesh, Kushinagar is one of the most popular spots and attracts a huge number of tourists. As an ancient town, Kushinagar gets its name from Kusha, the son of Rama. Kusha founded this city and ruled there for years. There are archaeological verdicts here dating back to the 3rd century BC belonging to the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. Kushinagar is now a famous Buddhist pilgrimage place in India. And, you can also find about it in the books of Chinese writer and pilgrim Hieun Tsang. Gautama Buddha accomplished the Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar. There is a list of the most significant tourist places to visit in Kushinagar.
The ancient city of Kushinagar is the ultimate resting place of Gautama Buddha and is hence one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Since old age, the city has been a popular destination for Buddhist pilgrims, from Hieun Tsang to Fa Hein. The mentioned places here will undoubtedly assist you in understanding the significance of this city to Buddhists worldwide. Among tourist places to visit in India, Kushinagar may be one of your favourites if you have a religious interest.
Tourist Places to Visit in Kushinagar
Its major claim to fame, though, is its strong Buddhist origins. Several ancient stupas and viharas, dated from the third to the fifth century, may be seen in the town. Kushinagar was in ruins before its rediscovery in the 19th century, owing to the brutal invasions it had experienced during that time. The majority of Kushinagar’s sites and attractions are related to Lord Buddha. Let’s see some of the most popular tourist places in Kushinagar: –
1. Mahaparinirvana Temple
In the list of Kushinagar tourist places, Mahaparinirvana Temple would be the first to be seen. The Mahaparinirvana Temple was built over several ancient monasteries that date back to the 5th century AD. The statue of Lord Buddha, which stands 6.10 meters tall, is the temple’s most prominent feature. The relics of Lord Buddha have been placed here, according to inscriptions in ruins.
2. Kushinagar Museum
Second, the Kushinagar Museum is one of the best places to visit while touring the area. Various archaeological excavations discovered in Kushinagar were featured at the site, which opened to the public in 1992–93. The Kushinagar Museum exhibits a vast range of items, including statues, sculptures, seals, coins, and banners, as well as antiquities. One of the museum’s main attractions is a Stucco idol of Lord Buddha created in the spectacular Gandhara style.
3. Ramabhar Stupa
At the Ramabhar Stupa, Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana, or Final Enlightenment. One of Kushinagar’s main attractions is the 15-meter-high stupa. The stupa is also the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site, and it is located in a beautiful and lush green environment, making it a must-see tourist attraction.
4. Sun Temple (Gupt Kalin Suryaa Mandir)
When looking for the top tourist places to visit in Kushinagar, the Gupt Kalin Sun Temple Kushinagar may be one of the best too. The Puranas mention a temple devoted to the Sun God that was built during the Gupta period. The temple is famous for its Sun God idol, which was sculpted out of a unique black stone (Neelmani Stone). The figure is viewed as having been discovered during excavations in the 4th and 5th centuries.
5. Meditation Park
Meditation Park, also known as the Japanese Meditation Park, was constructed in 1992–1993 as part of the Indo-Japanese initiative at 68 lakh rupees. The park is for helping people to rest and unwind through meditation, as its name suggests. Its location is in a tranquil and natural setting, with artificial water bodies and high platforms with beautiful green grass. The park has sal trees and other green and flowering flora. It is near the famed Nirwana Temple, which houses the statue of the Buddha as he lay in Nirwana.
The park’s spiritually charged atmosphere, as well as its proximity to the Nirean Temple, make meditation and contemplation easier. In addition, it is one of the city’s most attractive and serene sites, attracting a significant number of people throughout the year.
6. Wat Thai Temple (Wat Thai Kushinara Chalermaraj Temple)
For the next tourist place in Kushinagar, you can visit here. Wat Thai Kushinara Chalermaraj Temple was famous as just Wat Thai Temple for a short time. To honor King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s golden jubilee on the throne of his nation, Buddhist disciples from Thailand created it. On February 21, 1999, Somdej Phra Yansangvara officially opened the temple’s construction. Yansangvara was the King of Thailand’s Supreme Patriarchate. The temple was built and opened to the public in 2001.
The majority of the funds for its construction came from Tahi Buddhist donations. As a result, the temple was designed as a forest monastery. And, it is nestled under a dense canopy of trees, shrubs, and plants. The temple, which was created in the Thai-Buddhist architectural style, is part of a ten-acre complex. The complex also includes a monastery, garden, health centre, school, library, and temple. It is one of Kushinagar’s most picturesque tourist spots, drawing tens of thousands of pilgrims from Thailand each year. Its colossal structure can be observed throughout the town.
7. Lin Sun Chinese temple
The Chinese Temple, also notable as the Lin Sun Chinese Temple, is one of Kushinagar’s modern temples. It is the first Buddhist monument that travellers notice as they approach the city’s entrance gate. The temple’s colourful structure, which combines Chinese and Vietnamese architectural styles, stands out among the city’s numerous Buddhist temples and monuments. The temple’s Buddha statue is similarly built in Chinese style and features a Chinese image.
Tourists and pilgrims go to see the statue, which is a popular tourist destination. Aside from the main temple and the Buddha’s statue, the vast temple complex also has replicas of famous Buddhist shrines in northern Indian cities such as Rajgir and Bodhgaya in Bihar, Lumbini in Nepal, Saravati in Uttar Pradesh, and Kushinagar’s Nirvana Temple and Stupa.
Places to Visit Near Kushinagar
You will also find here a variety of tourist places to visit near Kushinagar. There are lots of religious and historical places nearby to explore with your family or friends. Let’s see some of them:
1. Kuber Sthan
The Hindu God Kuber is beloved as the god of money. However, despite his affluence, he was a devotee of God Shiva and erected the Kuber Asthan temple to honour his patron. The temple is located on the main Padrauna-Turkpatti route in Kubernath, about 9 kilometres from Padrauna and 21 kilometres from Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. As a result, the Kasia-Turkpatti-Padrauna road is easily accessible.
The King of Padrauna afterwards built a temple dedicated to God Shiva at this location. On the 13th day of Falgun and Vaisakh, it becomes a location for Shivratri celebrations. In both months, the day is considered auspicious. In contrast to Falgun, which has a one-week festival, Baisakh has a month-long festival. On Shivratri day, when devotees offer water to Shiva Ling’s idol, it draws tens of thousands of people.
2. Ramkola Dham
Ramkola Temple has a beautiful location with a four-story structure adorned with statues of most monks, hermits, goddesses, and saints. This is the location where all of the world’s religions are revered. Along with the Budha and Sikh faiths and the Christian religion, Tolstoy monuments may be found. Every religion is respected and worshipped here.
It is just 26 km from Kushinagar from where you can book a taxi to explore around easily.
3. Khirkiya Temple (Khirikiya Mata Mandir)
During a visit to Padrauna, Khirkiya Temple (Khirikiya Mata Mandir) may be a good choice as a pilgrimage. This temple attracts devotees from each corner of the district Kushinagar as well as from nearby places.
4. Ramghat (Bansi Mela)
‘Sau Kaashi Na Ek Bansi (सौ काशी ना एक बांसी)’ is the proverb in the folk tale that is used for this place. Bansi is the historical place in Kushinagar from where Lord Rama passed through with Sita. Ramghat is the spot where millions of pilgrims visit on Kartik Purnima to take a holy bath. Bansi Mela (Bansi Fair) is the most popular event for visitors during Kartik Purnima.
5. Khanwar (Khanware)
Khanwar (Khanware) is also a pilgrimage site where thousands of devotees visit per month. The Khanwar Mela (Khanwar Fair) is the most famous occasion when you can visit and see the beauty of this place.