Sikh Pilgrimage Destinations in India

The Sikh religion emerged during the early 16th century in the state of Punjab in North India. The founder of this faith was Guru Nanak, who from his childhood was attracted to both Hindu and Muslim saints. Born a Hindu, but also inspired by the teachings of Islam, he began to preach the message of unity of both religions. According to him, the basic teachings of both faiths were essentially the same. Nanak attracted many followers and came to be known as a Guru or a teacher. His disciples came together to form a new religious tradition called Sikhism. Sikhism propounds monotheism, i.e. worship of one God. Some of the well known pilgrimage centers of Sikhs are :

1. Anandpur Sahib is a small town 80 km from Chandigarh. It lies in the Ropar district of north-east Punjab, on the border with Himachal Pradesh. On one side of Anandpur Sahib are the foothills of the towering Shivalik range, on the other, the river Sutlej. Located on the Ambala-Sirhind-Ropar-Nangal rail route and the Ambala-Nangal road, it is 45 km from Ropar and 22 km from Nangal.

2. Golden Temple  is the chief pilgrimage place of the Sikh people and is situated in the holy city of Amritsar. It is also known as Darbar Sahib or Sri Harmandir Sahib and is the symbol of glory of the Sikh community. One can wash away his/her sins by having a dip in the holy waters of The Golden Temple. The Temple is built on a 67 ft square of marble and is a two storeyed structure. Maharaja Ranjit Singh had the upper half of the building built with approximately 400 kg of gold-leaf. 

3. Delhi Gurudwaras Delhi has many beautiful and magnificent Gurudwaras that surely give a feel about the prosperity of Sikhism and Sikh community. Delhi Gurudwaras hold reverence not only for Sikhs, but people of other faiths as well. Also, almost all the Gurudwaras in Delhi has some interesting legend attached to it. Some of them include Gurudwara Sis Ganj, Gurudwara Bangla Sahib, Gurudwara Nanak Piao, Gurudwara Rakab Ganj, Gurudwara Majnu Ka Tila.

4. Hemkund Sahib Hemkund ( Lake of gold), is situated nearly 29 kms from Joshimath via Govindghat,  in northern state of Uttaranchal in the Garhwal region. It is set in one of the famous beauty spots of the central Himalayas and has a lake of crystal clear water located in beautiful surrounding. The glaciers from Hathi Parvat and Sapt shring peaks feed the lake and a small stream called Himganga flows out of the lakes.

It is believed that Guru Govind Singh , the 10th Guru of the Sikh faith had meditated on the bank of this lake in one of his earlier births, as alluded to in the holly Granth sahib.

Muslim Pilgrimage Destinations in India

Islam is the second largest religion in the world. The word "Islam" means "submission," reflecting the religion's central tenet of submitting to the will of God. Islamic practices are defined by the Five Pillars of Islam: faith, prayer, fasting, pilgrimage and alms.

1. Ajmer Sharif Dargah Sharif' or 'Holy Dargah' is one of the most sacred Muslim shrines in the country. Situated in Jaipur, Rajasthan, it is venerated by both Hindus and Muslims. It is the tomb of Khwaja Moin-ud-din Chisti, a Sufi saint who came from Persia and devoted his life to the service and upliftment of the poor and downtrodden. The Dargah has a massive gate with silver doors built in several stages Dargah Shariff of Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti is indeed an ornament to the city of Ajmer. The Khwaja Saheb, as a ‘living spirit’ of peace and harmony, enjoys universal respect and devotion ever since he set his holy feet on the soil of Hindustan. 

2. Fatepur Sikri Fatehpur Sikri is located 37 kms from Agra, a city predominantly in Red Sandstone.This town was built by the Mughal Emperor, Akbar. Fatehpur Sikri is the best example of the culmination of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Fatehpur Sikri Mosque is said to be a copy of the mosque in Mecca and has designs, derived from the Persian & Hindu architecture.

3. Haji Ali Dargah was built in honor of the Muslim saint Haji Al. Haji Ali was a wealthy Muslim merchant, who renounced all his worldly belongings before embarking on a pilgrimage to Mecca. This mosque was built in the middle of the sea with only a narrow path leading to it giving it an ethereal look. The tomb itself is over eight hundred years old and linked to the mainland by a path that is annually submerged in the high monsoon tide. Inside the central shrine, throngs of worshipers stoop to press their heads against the richly brocaded red and green chaddor covering the tomb, which lies in an exquisite silver frame engraved with all the ninety-nine names of Allah. As per the Muslim traditions separate praying rooms for ladies and gents are provided here to pay their respects.

4. Jama Masjid Jama Masjid is one of the largest mosques in India and the final architectural extravagance of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It's also known as 'Masjid-i-Jahan Numa', 'Jahan' means 'World' and Numa means 'Visible'. It is situated some quarter of a mile from the Red Fort. It was designed as Emperor Shahjahan's principal mosque. The sprawling esplanade, which separates it from the arterial road is a fascinating leisure ground.

Jain Pilgrimage Destinations in India

Jainism, was originated  in Ancient India. The Jains follow the teachings of Tirthankaras. The 24th Tirthankara Lord Mahavira lived in ca. 6th century BC. Jainism stresses spiritual independence and equality of all life with particular emphasis on non-violence. Self-control is vital for attaining Keval Gnan and eventually moksha, or realization of the soul's true nature.

1. Palithana Amongst all the Jain temples, Palitana temples are considered to be the most sacred. Located on Shetrunjaya hills there are 863 temples, exquisitely carved in marble. No one is allowed to sleep overnight including the priest, because the temple city has been built as an abode for the Gods. The town is considered by many Jains to be more important than the temple covered hills of Bihar, Gwalior, Mt Abu and Girnar

2. Ranakpur is tucked away in a remote valley in the Aravali range. It is situated around 60 km north of Udaipur in Rajasthan. is one of the five most important pilgrimage sites of Jainism. It houses an exceptionally beautiful temple complex in the Aravali ranges. The three other Jain temples in the same complex, including a temple of the Sun God, are all well worth a visit. One kilometer away from the temple complex is the temple of Amba Mata.

3. Shravanabelogola ,a great centre for Jain pilgrimage is situated at about 100 kms from Mysore. The hill of Sravanabelagola, also called Vindhyagiri looms majestically at 3347 feet above sea level. The 17 metre high colossal statue of Gomateshwara (or Lord Bahubali) carved out of monolithic stone, stands in majestic splendour and is visible even from a distance of 20 kms. From the base a flight of 614 steps, finely carved from the granite of the mountain, leads to the summit. At 58 feet 8 inches high, it is the tallest free-standing statue in the world. 

4. Udaygiri & Kandhagiri Caves Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves are one of the earliest groups representating Jain's rock-cut shelters. The caves of Udayagiri which means Hill of Sunrise and Khandagiri means Broken Hills holds a unique identity in the filed of history, rock-cut architecture, art and religion. Some of caves are natural but most were carved by Jain monks during the reign of King Kharavela, belong to earliest Jain rock-cut temples. Udayagiri hill has 18 caves. The largest and the most beautiful cave among all 18 caves is Rani Gumpha or Queen's Cave. Khandagiri hill houses 15 caves of which Ananta Cave is the most impressive one. Along with the caves, there are a couple of Jain Temples as well.

5. Kaushambi is situated in the west of Allahabad in U.P. Ancient Jain scriptures reveal that there had been 16 Mahajanpadas in the 6th century B.C. Vats Desh was one such Mahajanpada whose capital was Kaushambi. The town, however, got its due importance with the presence of the 6th Tirthankar Padmaprabhu, who was born here. He also grew up and received his education here.

Hindu Pilgrimage Destinations of India

Pilgrimage is a fundamental and key aspect of the Hindu community. Over 80% of the population in India practices Hinduism which is so diversified in its theoretical and practical expressions. Rig Veda, Upanishads and Bhagavatgita are all considered as sacred texts for Hindus. Hinduism doesn't advocate the worship of only one deity. 

1. Ayodhya Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Ram, an important deity in the Hindu pantheon. It is one of seven holiest cities in India. This small, quiet town attracts pilgrims from all over the country. Hindu pilgrims visiting Ayodhya during festivals and important religious functions consider a holy dip in the sacred Saryu River very auspicious.

2. Allahabad Allahabad or Prayag is also called the "Tirth Raj", the king of all pilgrimage centers. The city of Allahabad is among the largest cities of Uttar Pradesh and is situated at the confluence of three rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The confluence known as sangam is believed to have great soul cleansing powers. Visit the Patalpuri Temple, Mankameshwar Temple among the famous Shiv temples in Allahabad. Millions of devotees bathe ritually here during the time of Maha Kumbh Mela to break the eternal cycle of reincarnation. 

3. Amarnath As per the legend Shiva whispered the secret of immortality or the secret of creation to Parvati in a cave in Amarnath. Legends have it that Shiva made the gods immortal by providing them with the celestial nectar, and resided here upon their request. This boon of immortality lent the name Amarnath. Darshan at Amarnath is not easy. A tough and arduous trek is the only way to reach this holy shrine. Hundreds of pilgrims embark on the Yatra annually to achieve salvation.

4. Badrinath Nestled amidst the two mountain ranges of Nar and Narayan, with the Neelkanth peak in the background is the holiest of the four main shrines , Badrinath. It lies along the bank of the river alaknanda . The original Badrinath shrine, built by the 9th century saint Shankaracharya, has been re-built several times over due to damage from avalanches and snowfall. Made of wood, the temple stands 15 metres high, topped with a gilded cupola. Badrinath is also known as Tapobhumi (land of meditation and penance).

5. Chidambaram The temple town of Chidambaram, 58 km south of Pondicherry greets the visitors, with a beautiful temple, dedicated to Lord Nataraja - Lord Shiva in the enthralling form of a Cosmic Dancer. This is one of the few temples, where Shiva and Vishnu are enshrined under one roof. Chidambaram is also called Thillai, since the place was originally a forest of Thillai shrubs. It is one of the five Shaivite mukti sthalams, the other four being Kalahasti, Kanchipuram, Tiruvannamalai and Tiruvanaikaval.

6. Dwarka  is one of the four most holy Hindu pilgrimage sites in India and is closely related to the life of Lord Krishna. It is said to have been the capital of his empire. The main attraction here is the Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as Jagat Mandir dating back 2,500 years. . Equally attractive is the ornate Rukmini Temple, dedicated to Krishna's wife Rukmini, who is  considered to be a reincarnation of Goddess Lakshmi 

7. Gangotri The Gomukh glacier is the original source of the river Ganga and hence the shrine of Gangotri is dedicated to the goddess Ganga. Located at an altitude of 3,048 m above sea level, Gangotri is one of the four most important pilgrim sites for Hindus. The present temple was built by the Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in 18th century and now the main spot for worship. The Gaumukh glaciers, a sacred stone and a number of Ashrams are other prime attractions of the place.

8. Haridwar is the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttaranchal. The Maha kumbha mela, happening once every 12 years and the Ardha Kumbha Mela (happening once every six years) are the biggest events which draws millions of devotees around the world. The evening Aarti at Har-ki-pauri ghat is breathtakingly beautiful, as thousands of diyas &C marigold flowers float & illuminate the holy waters of the Mother Ganga.

9. Jagannath Dham Yatra : The holy city of Puri, 60 km from Bhubaneswar, is one of the holiest pilgrimage for Hindus.The reigning deity of the city, Lord Jagannath, whose temple was built way back in the 12th century, is not only of great religious significance to the people of Orissa but is revered by thousands of pilgrims who seek His blessings from every part of the country. The annual Jagannath Rath Yatra in the month of June July draws thousands of devotees who drag the images of Lord Jagannath, His sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra through the Grand Road (Bada Danda) of Puri in traditionally decorated massive chariots.

10. Kanchipuram also called the Golden City of thousand Temples is one of the most important centers of Hindu religion and one of the seven sacred cities in India. Kanchipuram, apart from its temples, is well-known all over the world also for its thriving handloom industry. The city is also known as silk city since the main livelihood of the people living in and around comes from weaving silk sarees. 

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11. Kanyakumari At the southernmost tip of India, the confluence of the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal is the location of Kanyakumari, an important pilgrimage site and one of the most popular tourist spots in the country. Kannyakumari has been named after the Goddess Kannyakumari Amman who is the popular deity of the area.

12. Kedarnath Located in Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 3,581 m, it is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country. It is the place where Pandavas, the heroes of the epic Mahabharata came to worship Lord Shiva after the battle of Kurukeshtra seeking salvation after killing their own brother in the war. The temple built in 8th century is the major place of worship. There is an ancient temple adjacent to it, believed to have been built by the Pandavas. The samadhi of Adi Guru Shankaracharya is another attraction of this place.

13. Madurai Synonymous with travel to Madurai, the Sri Meenakshi Temple, is one of India's largest temples. The temple is famous for its colourfully decorated 12 gopuras (towers) and the “thousand pillared hall”. Precisely there are 985 pillars and each of them is delicately and exquisitely carved. Among these are the musical pillars, which produce music when tapped. Surprisingly, these musical pillars are carved out of a single granite rock.

14. Mahabalipuram The city of temples, Mahabalipuram forms an integral part of the golden triangle travel destinations of South India. Earlier known as Mamallapuram, the place has been given the term "the Land of Bali". The renowned tourist and pilgrimage destination is situated at a distance of 55 kms from Chennai. Mahabalipuram Globally renown for its shore temples

15. Mansarovar Yatra Lake Mansarovar and Mount Kailash are situated in Tibet on the other side of the Uttarakhand Himalayas. Known to be the abode of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, it is regarded as one of the world's most sacred places. Lake Manasarovar is a fresh-water lake in Tibet about 2,000 km from Lhasa. Mount Kailash, has religious significance for both Hindus and Tibetan Buddhists. Lake Manasarovar lies at 4,556 m (14947.5 ft) above mean sea level. It is one of the highest fresh-water lakes in the world. 

16. Mathura and Vrindavan Mathura is called the Braj Bhumi – the land where Lord Krishna was born and spent his youth. Vrindavan stands apart in Indian mythology as the place where Krishna spent most of his childhood, serenading his gopis one moment, and slaying demons the next. Situated at a distance of 145 kms from Delhi. Vrindavan is situated approximately 11 km north of Mathura on the banks of the river Yamuna.

17. Omkareshwar Situated at 77 km from Indore, the name Omkareshwar derives from the word Om, which signifies the most sacred Hindu symbol. Omkareshwar, the sacred island, shaped like the holiest of all Hindu symbols, 'Om', has drawn to it hundreds of generations of pilgrims. Here, at the confluence of the rivers Narmada and Kaveri, the devout gather to kneel before the Jyotirlinga (one of the Twelve jyotirlingas throughout India) at the temple of Shri Omkar Mandhata

18. Pushkar Pushkar lies in a valley surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the other. According to the text, Pushkar came into being, when Lord Brahma, Creator in the Hindu Trinity, dropped petals of lotus flower (pushpa) to earth from his hand (kar) to kill a demon. This resulted in the formation of three lakes in the desert land. Lord Brahma is worshipped here with a temple dedicated to him along with the auspicious Pushkar Lake.

19. Shabarimala Sabarimala is the most pious and sacred temple of Kerala. Situated at an altitude of 914 m above the sea level, it is dedicated to Lord Ayyappa who is believed to be the union of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Lord Ayyappa brings together the Shaivite and Vaishnavite branches of Hinduism. The most auspicious day of the Sabarimala Pilgrimage is the Makara Vilakku Day somewhere around January 14th every year. Thousands of pilgrims pay their visit to the Sabarimala Temple to seek the blessings of Lord Ayyappa. One also gets the view of Makara Vilakku from Sabarimala Temple. It is a light that is visible on a nearby hill and is believed to be an indication of the presence of the divine. It takes 3 days from the base of the hill to reach the temple.

20. Rameshwaram Rameshwaram or Rameswaram, situated about 164 kilometers south-east of Madurai, Tamil Nadu is considered as one of the "Chardhams" (the four most scared pilgrimage centers) by the Hindus. Rameshwaram is the only one of the four Dhams where the resident Deity is Lord Shiva. The other three have either Vishnu in one form or one of His avatars in residence.

21. Shirdi is a mystical magical town near the holy city of Nasik, close to Mumbai. Shirdi, hometown and resting place of Shri Sai Baba, who many believe is an incarnation of Lord Shiva. Shirdi is visited by millions of devotees every year. As his teaching cuts across all religions and beliefs, pilgrims from all faiths throng to get a sight of the Samadhi Idol.

22. Tirupati It is famous for Lord Venkateshwara Deity. The name Tirupati-Balaji means the 'lord of Lakshmi'. The shrine is located on a hill at Tirumala, a cluster of seven hills known as Venkatachalam with an elevation of 853m above the sea level. It is said to be the richest temple in the world. There is a tradition to offer hair or tonsure at Tirupati.After tonsure one should go for Darshan of Tirupati Balaji.

23. Vaishnodevi Ma Vaishno Devi Temple is situated in the folds of the 'Trikuta Hill', in Jammu and Kashmir. It lies 61 km north of Jammu in the northern state of Jammu and Kashmir. Perched at a height of 5,200 feet above the sea level, Vaishno Devi is a cave in the lower Himalayas. Katra, the town at the foot of the Trikuta hills is the base camp for the Vaishno Devi shrine. The Shrine of goddess 'Vaishno Devi' is reached by an arduous climb.The scenic beauty, the landscape around and the constant chanting of 'Jai Mata Di', leaves a mystic effect on the devotees.

24. Varanasi Varanasi,Known formerly as Kashi or Banaras is one of the holiest cities in India.Varanasi, the temple city of India, is regarded as the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage center of India. Sprawling along the left bank of the holy river Ganga, Varanasi houses hundreds of temples, shrines and palaces, which appear like rising in several tiers from the water's edge. It is also a city of fairs and festivals, celebrating about 400 of them all round the year.  Varanasi is also an important city for Buddhists as Lord Buddha preached his first sermon here

25. Yamunotri The first stopover for the Char Dham Yatra is the westernmost shrine of Yamunotri in the Garhwal Himalayas. Dedicated to Goddess yamuna, it is perched atop a flank of the Bandar Poonchh peak (3.165 mts. Above sea level) and is situated opposite to Gangotri. The shrine attracts devotees in large numbers from May to October.

Yamunotri is the source of the revered river yamuna which originates from the Champasar Glacier lying 1 km ahead of the shrine, at an altitude of 4,321 mts.


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Buddhist Pilgrimage Destinations
Christian Pilgrimage Destinations

Christian Pilgrimage Destinations

Christianity, the most popular religion in the world has strong roots with India too. Christianity in India is as old as World Christianity. The Catholic Churches and Cathedrals built during the rule of Portuguese and British speak of the grandeur of their lifestyles and the dedication of the missionaries. There are different classes of Christians in India, the primary classes being Syrian Christians, Knanaya Christians, Goan Christians, Tamil Christians, Anglo-Indians, Naga Christians, etc. Though they differ in language, social customs & traditions and economic prosperity, they play a decisive role in the fields of education, social work, politics etc.

Some of the famous churches in India are 

1. Velankanni Church is located 12 km south of Nagapattinam on the Coromandel Coast, in Tamil Nadu. The shrine here is dedicated to Lady of Health, the Madonna of Velankanni and is popularly known as 'Sacred Arogya Matha Church'. Virgin Mary is believed to have miraculous healing powers. Thousands of pilgrims belonging to various castes and communities flock daily to this 'Lourdes of the East'. The church has an imposing facade with tall spires and the wings present the shape of a cross. In a niche in the alter is enshrined the statue of Lady of Health 

2. Basiclica of Bom Jesus, Goa The holy Basilica of Bom Jesus, houses the mortal remains of St. Francis Xavier. It is a famous pilgrimage center among Roman Catholics. The church of Bom Jesus, "Good" or "Infant" Jesus, is known principally for the tomb of St. Francis Xavier. In 1946, it became the first church of India to be elevated to the status of Minor Basilica. One of the richest churches in Goa, it is covered with marble and inlaid with precious stones and paintings depicting the life of St. Francis Xavier.

3. Christ Church & St. Michael's Cathedral, H.P. 
Built in 1846-1857, Christ Church is the second oldest church of Northern India. It has become one of the landmarks of Shimla. The church's exquisite beauty comes with the stained glasses that are fitted on its windows for which it is famed

4. Church of St Francis of Assisi, Goa This church is the former palace of the Archbishop that connects the Se Cathedral to the Convent and Church of St. Francis of Assisi. The exterior of the Church is of the Tuscan order while the main entrance is in Manuline style.

5. Church of the Sacred Heart, Delhi Situated at the south end of Bhai Vir Singh Marg, is one of Medd's more ambitious projects, the Roman Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart. This Church displays a strong Italianate influence, with a facade of white pillars supporting a canopy set against a dark brick background, and circular arcades turrets rising above the roof to each side of the entrance porch. The lofty interior has a towering curved roof, polished stone floors and broad arches set into smooth walls, presenting a very grand look.

6. Santa Cruz Basilica, Kerala One of the finest and impressive churches in Kerala, Santa Cruz Basilica is a historic church that was built by the Portuguese. It is located at K.B Jacob road in Fort Kochi. It is a place of devotion as well as a center of historic significance, endowed  with architectural and artistic grandeur and colours of the gothic style. Located close to St. Francis Church it is the 'capital church' of the diocese of Cochin. 

7. Cathedral Church of St. Thomas, Mumbai St. Thomas' Cathedral, the city's first Anglican Church is situated in the heart of the commercial fort area, in Mumbai . The foundation was laid in 1672 during the governorship of Gerald Aungier, and was opened to public on the Christmas Day in 1718. Devotees and tourists flock St. Thomas Cathedral to find a moment of peace and admire the beautiful architecture and of course relish the wanton elegies carved on many tombstones that make every visit so much lively.

Buddhist Pilgrimage in India

Buddhism is the fourth largest religion in the world. Founded by Gautam Buddha, it is a path of spiritual development that helps a person in finding the true nature of life. Buddhism emphasizes on experiencing, rather than teaching or learning. It considers meditation as the means to enlightenment and is based on a number of principles. The followers of Buddhism do not worship any God and follow the noble eight-fold path to lead a meaningful existence.

Some of the Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in India include:

1. Ajanta & Ellora Caves are located near the city of Aurangabad in Maharashtra. The cave shrines were all cut out of rock, by hand, and rank amongst some of the most outstanding specimens of ancient Indian architectural heritage. The 34 caves at Ellora and the 29 caves at Ajanta depict the story of Buddhism.

2. Bodhgaya is one of the holiest buddhist pilgrimage centers since it is here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. 

3. Rajgir is situated in the state of Bihar, encircled by five holy hills. It lies at a distance of approximately 34 km from the city of Gaya. The name of the town has been derived from the words 'Raj Griha', meaning 'the abode of the king'. During the lifetime of Lord Buddha, Rajgir served as the capital city of the Magadh Empire. Prince Siddhartha (early name of Lord Buddha) came to Rajgir, after he renounced the luxuries of life and undertook asceticism. Two of the rock-cut caves of Rajgir were the favorite retreats of the Buddha. It was here that He preached two of his most renowned sermons.

4. Vaishali is situated at a distance of approximately 60 km from the capital city, Patna. The place gains significance from the fact that it is here that Lord Buddha announced the imminence of his Mahaparinirvana. Vaishali also witnessed one of the eight great events in the life of Lord Buddha. He displayed some extraordinary and divine presentations of his spiritual superiority here. This led to mass induction of people into Buddhism. Infact, it is believed that at that time around eighty four thousand people adopted Buddhism. One of the most important events that took place at Vaishali was the induction of females into the Sangha. It is believed that even Mahaprajapati Gautami, the foster mother of Buddha, joined the order here, along with the other Sakya-women.

5. Nalanda Nalanda is situated in the state of Bihar. Founded in the 5th century AD, it lies at a distance of approximately 90 km from the capital city of Patna. Nalanda had the honor of being visited by Lord Buddha a number of times, in His lifetime. Even Hieun Tsang, the famous Chinese Traveler, stayed in this village for approximately 12 years, in the 7th century AD. Nalanda came to be recognized as a famous center of Buddhist learning in India, only between 5th century and 12th century.

6. Dharamshala is the main Buddhist center located in the Kangra district of  in Himachal Pradesh. Upper Dharamashala or Mcleodganj  is best known as the home of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso. You will find Buddhist monks walking around in their burgundy robes. There are a number of Buddhist monastries in and around Mcleodganj. The most important Buddhist site in the town is Tsuglagkhang or Tsuglag Khang, the Dalai Lama Temple. 

7. Kushinagar is another principal centre of Buddhism, worth a sincere admiration, is the place where Lord Buddha passed away at this place near the Hiranyavati River and was cremated at the Ramabhar stupa. It was once a celebrated center of the Malla kingdom. Many of its stupas and viharas date back to 230 BC-AD 413. when its prosperity was at the peak. In 543 BC, on a full moon night of Magh the legend delivered lecture to his Sangha and declared that he is going to leave the mortal world soon enough. 

The excavations led by general Cunningham has revealed some antique artifacts and structures related to all sects of Buddhism. Kushinagar also expresses the common thread of all sects of Buddhism through its magnificent Viharas, Chaityas, temples and Tibetan monasteries. In ancient times, the town was also known as Kushinara and Kasia.

8. Sarnath At a distance of only 10-km from the famous Hindu pilgrimage Varanasi, after attaining Enlightenment the Buddha went to Sarnath. 

Lord Buddha had visited Sarnath looking for his five companions who abandoned him in Rajgir while they deviated from the viewpoint of Lord Buddha on self-mortification. Here in the Deer Park, he delivered his first sermon, set in motion the Wheel of Law (Maha-Dharmachakra Pravartan). The Emperor Ashoka (c 304 - 232 BC), who spread the Buddha's message of love and compassion throughout his vast empire, visited Sarnath around 234 BC, and erected a stupa here. Several Buddhist structures were raised at Sarnath between the 3rd century BC and the 11th century AD, and today it presents the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail. The ruins, the museum and temple are all within walking distance.