The Buddhist Circuit in India thus introduces you with the major
townships in India that mark the evolution, development and propagation of
Buddhism. After Gautam Buddha, it was Emperor Ashoka followed by his
daughter and son Sanghmitra and Mahindra, who took the charge of propagating
Buddhism in India as well as the South Asian countries like Burma, Nepal,
China, Japan, Malaysia, Sri Lanka etc.
India is the birth place of one of the most widely accepted religions in the
world - Buddhism. The four holy places associated with Gautam
Buddha in India are - Lumbini, his birthplace, which now lies in Nepal;
Bodhgaya, where he attained enlightenment; Sarnath, near Varanasi,
where he preached his first sermon; Kushinagar, near Gorakhpur, where he
achieved Mahanirvana. The other important tourist places associated with
Buddhism are: Sanchi, Vaishali, Nalanda, Amravati and Nagargunakonda. All
these places together are known as the famous Buddhist Circuit in India.
Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage amongst all these
places in India.
Vaishali is among the oldest civilization prevailing today that is
believed to have started before the recorded history. Vaishali was made immortal
with frequent visits of Lord Buddha who came here to give sermons and
lectures. The main attractions of the city are Ashokan Pillar, Buddha Stupa,
Fort of King Vishal, and Shanti Stupa. Patna is just 55 km from here and is well
connected with number of buses. Nalanda is famous as the home of the
oldest university that flourished into one of the best as well. Nalanda came
into prominence when Lord Buddha himself visited Nalanda to deliver sermons and
speeches.
