Introduction

Indian Buddhist sites are numerous in number which are scattered throughout the length and breadth of Asia. A majority of these renowned regions are closely associated with the life of Lord Gautama Buddha and have been visited by Buddha either for preaching Buddhist principles or for meditation. To transform himself from `Siddhartha` to `Sakyamuni` and then to Buddha he had travelled far and wide on various purposes. All those places that he went to are considered as Buddhist pilgrimage centres. However at some centres excavations have been carried out to know more about the great teacher. These are the historical Buddhist sites that are related with his early life. There exists four significant centres of Buddhist pilgrimage which include the birthplace of Buddha at Lumbini, the area where he achieved `Enlightenment` known as Bodhgaya, the region which received His very first teachings called Benaras and the place where He attained `Parinirvana` at Kushinagara.

Buddhist Sites in East India

The sacred sites of Buddhism are prominently scattered in East India, in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. The four principal Buddhism places are spread in the Ganges Valley of India - the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, Lumbini, presently in South Nepal, Bodh Gaya in Bihar where he attained enlightenment, Sarnath in Uttar Pradesh where he first preached and Kushinagar where he attained Parinirvana.

Bodh Gaya, Bihar : Bodh Gaya is the religious site that houses the most prominent monument of Buddhism in India, Mahabodhi Temple. Located in the Gaya district, it is famed for being the place where Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment, under what came to be known as Bodhi Tree. Bodh Gaya is the most important site among the four premier ones for Buddhists.

Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh : Sarnath is a city situated northeast of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, renowned for being the site of the deer park where Buddha first taught the Dharma and the Buddhist Sangha came into existence. It was also the site of Buddha`s first teaching after attaining enlightenment, in which he taught the Four Noble Truths and the teachings associated. The site houses the majestic Dhamek Stupa and Chaukhandi Stupa, the latter commemorating the spot where Buddha met his first disciples.

Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh : Kushinagar town in Uttar Pradesh is the site where Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana following His demise and it was referred to as `Kushavati` or `Jatakas` during ancient periods. Ramayana has mentioned about this region as `Kusha` city, named after Rama`s son. Buddha attained `Mahaparinirvana` or the `Final Nirvana`, immediately after he had consumed meals prepared with mushrooms. The `Viharas` and `stupas` located here belong to the 3rd or 5th century CE and Ashoka had erected several Buddhist monuments here.

Rajgir, Bihar : Buddhist sites in Rajgir include Maniyar Math, a cylindrical well-like structure of archaeological relevance inside the Rajgir valley. Son Bhandar Caves in Rajgir showcase the Buddhist art of ancient India to the hilt. Venuvana in Rajgir is the site where Venuvana Vihar monastery was built by King Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to reside. TVenu VanT or the forest of bamboos was the royal park gifted to Buddha in order to make it easier for his devotees to visit him. Today, it is a park with attractive sights of bamboos, flowers and a large pond with Buddha"s image at the center.

Vaishali, Bihar : Vaishali is present in Bihar and is called so since it was extensive or `Vishal` as per the Hindi language, according to a Theravadin scholar and Buddhist commentator known as Buddhaghosa who lived during the 5th century. It was here that Lord Buddha had imparted his final sermon, prior to His death during 483 BCE. Currently, Vaishali is an important archaeological centre in the nation. King Kalasoka had organised the Second Buddhist Council in the 383 BCE and Vaishali is home to the well preserved Ashokan Pillars, which is adorned with a single Asiatic Lion at its summit. Travelogues of Chinese travellers like Zuanzang and Fazian contain references of this Indian city.

Saptaparni Cave, Bihar : Saptaparni Cave is a pre-historic cave in Bihar, the venue of the First Buddhist Council in ancient India.

Nalanda, Bihar : The World Heritage Site Nalanda houses the excavations of a large Buddhist monastery dating back to the Magadha kingdom. It was a centre of learning from the 7th century BCE to 1200 CE.

Buddhist Sites in South India

The southern Indian states house multiple Buddhist viharas and stupas, be it the Amaravathi Mahachaitya stupa and protected Buddhist monument complex at Bavikonda in Andhra Pradesh, or the Chudamani Vihara in Tamil Nadu and Namdroling Monastery of Tibetan Buddhism in Karnataka.

Guntupalli, Andhra Pradesh : The census town of Guntupalli in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh is a relevant archaeological site of Buddhism, possessing small monasteries, ancient stone stupas and rock-cut temples from where Buddhist relics and monolithic remnants dating back to 2nd and 3rd centuries BC were found. A large monastery encompassing numerous cells wherein Buddhist monks resided was also unearthed. A stone stupa had been unearthed in late 19th century with rock and gold crystals excavated along inside a stone casket.

Amaravathi Mahachaitya, Andhra Pradesh : The Amaravathi Mahachaitya, popularly known as the great stupa at Amaravathi village, is a ruined Buddhist monument in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh, under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). The campus includes the Mahachaitya itself along with the Archaeological Museum. The significant relics and sculptural representations from the site are today exhibited in a number of museums across India and abroad.

Bhattiprolu, Andhra Pradesh : Bhattiprolu in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh is an important Buddhist site known for the Buddha Stupa, called "Vikramarka kota dibba", built between 3rd and 2nd century BC. Excavations in 1870 discovered three mounds and those in 1892 uncovered three inscribed stone relic caskets containing crystal caskets, relics of Buddha and jewels. Remains of the great stupa"s large pillared hall, a large group of ruined votive stupas with several images of Buddha, a stone receptacle containing copper vessel, which in turn contained a silver casket within which, a gold casket enclosing beads of bone and crystal were discovered.

Salihundam, Andhra Pradesh : Salihundam in Andhra Pradesh is a historically noted village for its Buddhist remnants that include numerous Buddhist stupas and a huge monastic complex. Excavations in the site have unveiled relic caskets, four stupas, a Chaityagriha, structural temples and numerous sculptures reflecting three phases of Buddhism - Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana, dating back to 2nd century BC to 12th century AD.

Kanaganahalli, Karnataka : Kanaganahalli village in Karnataka is another Buddhist archaeological site, excavations wherein have unearthed remains of an ancient Mahastupa, votive stupas and brick structures in the form of a Chaityagriha, images of Buddha, antiquities like lead coins and a sculptural representation of Mauryan king Ashoka, labeled "Rayo Asoka".

Chudamani Vihara, Tamil Nadu : Chudamani Vihara was a Buddhist monastery constructed in 1006 CE, in present Nagapattinam town of Tamil Nadu. The vihara had survived in dilapidated condition till 1867 and since 1856, about 350 Buddha bronzes had been found, tracing from 11th to 16th centuries.

Nelakondapally
Based in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, Nelakondapally town consists of several Buddhist relics like terracotta idols, a miniature limestone Buddhist stupa, brick-made Viharas, cisterns, a beautiful bronze figurine of Lord Buddha and a large variety of numerous other artefacts belonging to the 3rd and 4th century which have been excavated. Important archaeological sites including Keechaka Gundam and Virtaraju Dibba which can be traced back to the age of the Mahabharata are all situated at a distance of nearly 1.6 km from Nelakondapalli.

Buddhist Sites in Central India

The central Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh house important sites of Buddhism, be it the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sanchi famous for the Buddhist vihara, the Great Stupa or the multiple viharas excavated in Sirpur.

Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi, Uttar Pradesh : The town of Sanchi in the Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, listed as Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi. It is famous for the Great Stupa, which is the oldest stone structure in India. Originally commissioned by emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE, its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of Gautama Buddha, crowned by a Chatra, parasol-like structure symbolizing high rank intended to honour and shelter the relics. The construction work of the Sanchi Stupa was overseen by Ashoka`s wife, Devi herself. Sanchi was also her birthplace as well as the venue of her and Ashoka`s wedding. In the 1st century BCE, four elaborately carved Toranas, ornamental gateways along with a balustrade encircling the entire structure were added to the stupa.

In the Mauryan period, a pillar of finely polished sandstone was erected in Sanchi, with its bottom portion standing today. The upper parts of the pillar lie placed under a canopy nearby. The pillar also has an Ashokan inscription and an inscription in the ornamental Sankha Lipi from the Gupta era. Two further stupas were erected at the town during the Shunga Dynasty reign. Many more temples and monasteries came up between the 2nd and the 12th centuries AD, most of which lie today in a state of ruins. The Gupta Temple dating back to the 5th century is the best preserved monument in Sanchi, boasting the glory of the Gupta Empire in the historic town.

Viharas in Sirpur, Chhattisgarh : The lost historic town of Sirpur in the Mahasamund district of Chhattisgarh, houses a number of Buddhist viharas. Buddha Vihara is a prominent attraction here, exuding warmth and religious harmony. Brick constructions and underground rooms stand testimony to a mystical era and the tone blend reminds of the temples and residential buildings of the Gupta dynasty. Buddha Vihara houses a 6-feet tall statue of Buddha, touching the earth. The many residential, meditation and study rooms display a glimpse of the Lord"s long lived glory. Enchanting inscriptions reveal that the ardent Buddha follower Anandprabhu created a 14-room shelter with welcome gates and "dwarapalas" on either side carved in stone pillars. The shelter is called Anandprabhu Kutir Vihara, named after its creator. Swastika Vihara was also excavated to reveal a huge Buddha statue and metal idols pertaining to the Buddhist era. Recent excavations have also revealed 12 Buddhist viharas and monolithic statues of Buddha.

Other Buddhist Sites of India

Ajanta :  The figure of `Padmapani` or `Avalokiteshvara` is to be found here. There are 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves at Ajanta in Maharashtra. From elaborate monastic halls to beautiful Buddhist wall paintings, all such magnificent creations are parts of this place. These wall paintings are considered exquisite masterpieces of Buddhist art, embellished with images of various Jataka tales and numerous events of the life of Lord Buddha. Since the year 1983, Ajanta Caves have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India or ASI.

Apart from these Buddhist sites in the country, India boasts of innumerable other Buddhist archaeological regions which are extremely popular tourist locales. Nalanda in Bihar, Tabo Monastery, Rumtek Monastery in Sikkim, Shanti Stupa in Leh-Ladakh, Tawang Monastery in Andhra Pradesh, Namdroling Monastery near Mysore in Karnataka, Bojjannakonda, Guntupalli, Ghantasala, Bhattiprolu, Pavurallakonda, Phanigiri etc in Andhra Pradesh, Bagh Caves in Madhya Pradesh, Harvan, Panderathan and Parihaspura in Kashmir and Vadnagar in Gujarat. Besides these places there are other important historical places that lie outside India but are crucial to Buddhist history.