| India is one of the most spiritual countries of the world. | | | | Buddhist Heritage tour in India |
| Many religious leaders from all over the world have | | | | Being the origin of place from where Buddhism |
| visited this country in search of spirituality and salvation. | | | | emerged , India houses some incredibly mesmerizing |
| Two of the prominent religions that is Jainism and | | | | monuments all over the country. These monuments |
| Buddhism originated from India. It is from the Indian | | | | have become an important heritage site of the |
| state of Bihar that Buddhism first emerged. Bodhgaya, | | | | Buddhists and are well spread all over the country. |
| located in Bihar is the birth place of Buddhism, where | | | | Some of these monuments are as old as the Buddhist |
| Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment after | | | | religion itself and have become impeccable part of the |
| meditating for three days and three nights. Later on | | | | history. Bodhgaya, the place where Buddha attained |
| Buddhism spread to other parts of the world like | | | | his enlightenment houses some truly wondrous |
| Thailand, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Japan, Tibet, etc. Many | | | | monuments. Mahabodhi Temple which has been listed |
| Buddhist scholars and preachers from these countries | | | | as a world heritage site is an amazing monument. It is |
| visited India which led to greater exchanges of culture | | | | one of the earliest temple built in India around 5th |
| and tradition. | | | | century BC. King Ashoka is considered to be the |
| India and its adjoining country Nepal are important | | | | founder of the this temple. |
| Buddhist tour destinations. The Buddhist tour of India will | | | | Another important Buddhist heritage site in India are |
| not only be a simple religious tour but will also provide | | | | caves of Ajanta and Ellora. The paintings and |
| great opportunity to explore the rich architectural | | | | sculptures of these caves tell the story of earlier era |
| splendor of some mesmerizing monuments. The | | | | of Buddhism in India. One can find the traces of |
| Buddhist tour of India will take you through some | | | | Viharas or monasteries in these caves. These |
| amazing destinations like Bodhgaya, Patna, Varanasi, | | | | monasteries have the carvings of Buddha, |
| Ajanta and Ellora caves, Lumbini, Dharamshala, | | | | bodhisattvas and many Buddhist saints on the wall. |
| Tawang, Sikkim, etc. Buddhism gained popularity in India | | | | Ratnagiri located in the Jajpur district of the Orissa is |
| around 5th and 6th century BC. All the Buddhist | | | | an important Buddhist heritage site. This heritage site |
| destinations of India have great legacies associated | | | | which is believed to have been built around 5 A.D and |
| with them. These enchanting destinations are blessed | | | | is an important Buddhist heritage destination. Two large |
| with some unbelievable natural beauty. | | | | monasteries were unearthed whose establishment |
| Important Buddhist Tour Destinations | | | | date goes back to 6th century BC. |
| There are more 25 Buddhist destination all over the | | | | Apart from them, there are many other important |
| India. Most of these destinations have someway been | | | | Buddhist heritage sites in India. Places like Nalanda, |
| part of the Buddha's life. They were either visited by | | | | Sarnath, Tawang, etc are home to many interesting |
| Buddha or were later associated as important Buddhist | | | | heritage site. |
| teaching centers. Each site is popular for some | | | | Buddhist Festivals and Fairs |
| particular reason. Some of the popular Buddhist tour | | | | In India many Buddhist festivals are celebrated quite |
| destinations of India are Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Patna, | | | | joyously. As it is the birth place of Lord Buddha, there |
| Varanasi, Ajanta and Ellora caves, Lumbini, | | | | are many festivals which celebrate the life and |
| Dharamshala, Tawang, Sikkim, etc. | | | | teachings of the Buddha. Some of the major Buddhist |
| Bodhgaya is one of the most revered Buddhist | | | | festivals are Buddha Purnima, Losar, Hemis Fair, |
| pilgrimage destinations of India. This is the place where | | | | Asalha day etc. Buddha Purnima is celebrated every |
| prince Gautam attained enlightenment and came to be | | | | year during full moon in the month of Vaisakh (April |
| known as Lord Buddha. There is a Bodhi Tree | | | | May). It believed that Buddha was born on this day and |
| standing tall which is believed to be descendant of the | | | | later in his life he attained enlightenment on the same |
| tree under which Buddha attained enlightenment. It has | | | | day. |
| become an important pilgrimage destination. Another | | | | Losar, the Tibetan new year is celebrated in large part |
| important destination is Lumbini. It is the place where | | | | of country specially among Buddhist community of |
| lord Buddha was born, so it is an important Buddhist | | | | north-east and Ladakh. This festival usually falls in the |
| tour destination. Lumbini located near the foothills of | | | | month between February and March. Another popular |
| Himalaya in Nepal is a beautiful destination. | | | | Buddhist fair is the popular Hemis Fair celebrated in |
| Dharamshala in Himachal Pradesh where Tibetan | | | | Ladakh. This festival celebrates the birth of Indian saint, |
| Buddhist leader Dalai lama lives has emerged as an | | | | Guru Padmasambhava, who had spread Buddhism in |
| important Buddhist tour destination. Each year large | | | | India. This festival is held for two days. The highlight |
| number of Buddhist followers specially from the | | | | being sacred mask dances that are performed by the |
| western countries visit this town and offer prayers at | | | | monks. |
| his temple. | | | | |