Kushinagar Sightseeing : Places to visit in destination Kushinagar

Places to visit in the city Kushinagar

NIRVANA TEMPLE - Kushinagar

The Nirvana temple though a single-room structure is a major attraction in Kushinagar. The temple has been raised on a platform and topped by a superstructure confirming to the traditional style of architecture followed by Buddhism. A world famous 6-m-long statue of reclining Buddha lies here. The statue, carved out of sandstone, was discovered by a British archaeologist in 1876 during an excavation. There is a small stone railing that surrounds the statue and shows devotees mourning the death of Lord Buddha. The statue of Buddha dates back to 5th century AD according to an inscription that was found in Kushinagar. The statue was brought from Mathura to Kushinagar by Haribala, a Buddhist monk, during the period of Gupta Empire.

RAMABHAR STUPA - Kushinagar

The Ramabhar Stupa or Mukutabandhana stupa is situated at a distance of around one kilometre from Nirvana Temple. This 14.9 metre high brick stupa is built on the same spot where Lord Buddha was cremated in 483 BC. According to the legend, the stupa was built by the Malla kings who ruled the region when Buddha died.

NIRVANA STUPA - Kushinagar

The stupa made of bricks was discovered by some British archaeologists during an excavation carried out in 1876. It is located behind the Nirvana Temple and subsequent excavations by the Archaeological Survey of India led to the discovery of a copper vessel containing the remains of Lord Buddha. There is an inscription on the vessel informing that the ashes of Lord Buddha had been interred in this place. Apart from the copper vessel, cowries, a gold chain, and precious stones were also unearthed from this place.

MATHAKUAR SHRINE - Kushinagar

The place where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon before his death. It is certainly one of the more interesting sites in Kushinagar. The site is located near the Nirvana Stupa and the excavations unearthed a black-stone statue of Lord Buddha in the bhumi sparsha mudra (the pose of Buddha where he touches the earth with his fingers).

CHINESE TEMPLE - Kushinagar

The Chinese Temple is a colourful structure and houses a beautiful statue of Lord Buddha that attracts a large number of tourists. The temple has been reopened as International Meditation Centre.

JAPANESE TEMPLE - Kushinagar

A statue of Lord Buddha made of Ashta Dhatu (eight metals) is installed in this temple. The statue has been brought from Japan.

KUSHINAGAR MUSEUM - Kushinagar

The Archaeological Museum or the Kushinagar Museum has a good collection of objects excavated from various stupas and monasteries in Kushinagar and places around it. The museum is located not far away from the Indo-Japan-Sri Lankan Buddhist Centre and you can see many artefacts that include statues and carved panels displayed here.