The sites of Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali are all sacred locations associated with the life of Buddha and Buddhism.
Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Sarnath in Varanasi. A number of monasteries, stupas, temples, inscriptions, sculptures and other antiquities of the 3rd century BC to the 12th century AD, have been unveiled. Noteworthy among the monuments are Chaukhandi stupa, Dharmarajika stupa, Dhamekh stupa, Ashokan pillar with lion-capital, monasteries and a cluster of votive stupas. The capital of the Ashokan pillar excavated here has been adopted as India’s national emblem.
It was at Bodh Gaya, under the holy Mahabodhi Tree, where Prince Siddhartha meditated for 49 days as bodhisattva (mentor) and attained enlightenment, starting his journey as Lord Buddha, the Enlightened One. Thereafter, he established the “Middle Path”- the best way of life for the entire human race. Bodhgaya today is a vibrant and inspiring tourist attraction where devotees from many Buddhist countries have built temples around the complex in their characteristic architectural styles. The present tree, which is the 4″ generation offspring of the original, is the most important historical and religious spot for tourists in the temple complex.
Rajgir was the ancient capital of Magadha Empire. Lord Buddha would use Rajgir as his monsoon retreat for 12 years as he spread his doctrine. It was at the holy Grich Koot Hill that he expounded the precepts of his Lotus Sutra and the Perfection of Wisdom Sutra. The First Buddhist Council was held here to compile his teachings.
Nalanda was founded during the Gupta period. Nalanda became a famous centre of Buddhist learning, patronized by king Harshavardhana of Kanauj. The Pala kings of eastern India also extended patronage to this university. Excavations unveiled a remarkable layout of the university-town with numerous shrines and monasteries. Its rich collection of seals, sealings and images in stone and metal are displayed in the adjacent site museum. It is said that Buddha visited this place frequently to benefit from the hot springs of Nalanda to get relief from joint pain. According to some religious texts, Nalanda is supposedly the birthplace of Lord Buddha’s main follower, Sariputra. Nalanda University is today considered to be the key place of Buddhist learning.
Deemed to be the seat of the first republic in the world, Vaishali is replete with several Buddhist spots. According to mythology, once the favourite resort of Gautama Buddha, Vaishali witnessed the last sermon and the announcement of Parinirvana. The Second Buddhist Council was also held in Vaishali, about 110 years later. Thus, Vaishali is rightfully a prominent destination for tourists following the Buddhist circuit.
