The Complete Buddhist Circuit

Bihar

Ground zero — where Siddhartha became Buddha under the Bodhi Tree. Mahabodhi Temple UNESCO. International pilgrim capital.

Uttar Pradesh

Where Buddha delivered his first sermon — Dhamek Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, deer park.

Uttar Pradesh

Where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana — reclining Buddha statue, cremation stupa.

Bihar

World's first university — 10,000 students, 2,000 teachers, burned 1193 CE. UNESCO ruins.

Bihar

Griddhakuta (Vulture Peak) where Buddha preached. Hot springs. Vishwa Shanti Stupa.

Bihar

Buddha's last sermon site. Ashoka Pillar. World's first republic.

Uttar Pradesh

Where Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons. Jetavana monastery ruins.

Madhya Pradesh

Emperor Ashoka's Great Stupa — 3rd century BCE. Finest Buddhist gateways in existence.

Arunachal Pradesh

India's largest Buddhist monastery — 400 monks, Tibetan Buddhism at 3,048m in Arunachal.

Ladakh

Ladakh's Buddhist heartland — Hemis, Thiksey, Diskit monasteries across the Indus valley.

Andhra Pradesh

Cradle of Mahayana Buddhism — Satavahana Great Stupa, 125ft Dhyana Buddha

Telangana

Buddhist island museum — 30 submerged monasteries, 3rd-century sculptures

Odisha

5th-13th century Buddhist Diamond Triangle — UNESCO tentative, Buddha bone relic