Buddhist Pilgramage Sites in India
There are four principal Buddhist
pilgrimage sites where most of the buddhist temples and shrines are
located. The most important of these are located primarily in the Ganges
Valley of India.
Dharamsala
The town of Dharamsala is situated in Himachal Pradesh, on the high slopes in the upper reaches of Kangra Valley. With the Dhauladhar Mountains serving as its backdrop, the town presents a picturesque sight.
Lumbini
In the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal lies Lumbini, the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who was later to become the Buddha. Queen Maya Devi of the Sakya clan was on her way to her parental home when she gave birth to the prince under a tree.
Bodhgaya
Bodh
Gaya is where Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha as he sat in
meditation on the diamond seat under the Bodhi (Ficus Religiosa) tree.
Sarnath
It was in the Deer Park at Sarnath that the Buddha gave his first significant sermons on the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to his five fellow seekers who became the first monks of the order.
Kushinagar
The Buddha died in a Saal forest in Kushinagar and attained mahaparinirvana at the age of 80.
McLeodganj
The town of McLeodganj is situated in Himachal Pradesh, India. The town dates back to the mid 19th century when it was established as a British garrison. Mcleodganj was initially the home of the semi-nomadic Gaddi tribe.
Pilak
Pilak is situated in the state of Tripura, surrounded by flourishing green valley speckled with paddy fields. It lies at a distance of approximately 100 km from the capital city of Agartala.
Sanchi
Sanchi is situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. It lies at a distance of approximately 52 km from the capital city of Bhopal and 10 km from Vidisha. The major attractions of Sanchi include a number of Buddhist stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars.
Dharamsala
The town of Dharamsala is situated in Himachal Pradesh, on the high slopes in the upper reaches of Kangra Valley. With the Dhauladhar Mountains serving as its backdrop, the town presents a picturesque sight.
Lumbini
In the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal lies Lumbini, the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha Gautama, who was later to become the Buddha. Queen Maya Devi of the Sakya clan was on her way to her parental home when she gave birth to the prince under a tree.
Bodhgaya
Bodh
Gaya is where Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha as he sat in
meditation on the diamond seat under the Bodhi (Ficus Religiosa) tree.Sarnath
It was in the Deer Park at Sarnath that the Buddha gave his first significant sermons on the Middle Way, the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to his five fellow seekers who became the first monks of the order.
Kushinagar
The Buddha died in a Saal forest in Kushinagar and attained mahaparinirvana at the age of 80.
McLeodganj
The town of McLeodganj is situated in Himachal Pradesh, India. The town dates back to the mid 19th century when it was established as a British garrison. Mcleodganj was initially the home of the semi-nomadic Gaddi tribe.
Pilak
Pilak is situated in the state of Tripura, surrounded by flourishing green valley speckled with paddy fields. It lies at a distance of approximately 100 km from the capital city of Agartala.
Sanchi
Sanchi is situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh in India. It lies at a distance of approximately 52 km from the capital city of Bhopal and 10 km from Vidisha. The major attractions of Sanchi include a number of Buddhist stupas, monasteries, temples and pillars.
Dharamsala
| Location: | Himachal Pradesh |
| Highlights: | It is the seat of His Holiness, the 14th Dalai Lama |
The town of Dharamsala is situated in
Himachal Pradesh, on the high slopes in the upper reaches of Kangra
Valley. With the Dhauladhar Mountains serving as its backdrop, the town
presents a picturesque sight. Dharamsala is divided into two parts, the
Upper Dharamsala and the Lower Dharamsala, differing by approximately
1000 m in altitude. The town serves as the headquarters of the Tibetan
government in exile. Dharamshala is also the seat of His Holiness, The
14th Dalai Lama in India.
It houses a large settlement of Tibetan refugee. Monks in their robes and old Tibetans walking with rosaries in their hands or turning the prayer wheels is a common sight here. There are a number of monasteries and temples in Dharamsala, which serves as the major attractions for the tourists coming here. There are also several institutes here, set up to conserve the art, culture and traditions of Tibet.
Tourist
Attractions of Dharamsala
Namgyal Monastery
The personal monastery of The Dalai Lama, Namgyal is situated in Upper Dharamsala. It houses huge stucco statues of the Buddha, Avalokitesvara and Padmasambhava. The monastery also consists of an institute for learning, where futures Lamas are provided with higher Tibet studies.
Gangchen Kyishong
The offices of the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives are located here.
Monastery of Nechung Oracle
The monastery of Nechung Oracle is situated within the complex of Gangchen Kyishong. The official oracle of The Dalai Lama sits here.
Men-Tse-Khang
It is the center for Tibetan Medicine, located very near to Nechung.
Norbulingka Monastery
The beautiful monastery of Norbulingka boasts of a rich collection of art, paintings, handicrafts and thankas.
Rewalsar
Rewalsar lies very near to Dharamshala. Here, you can visit the cave temple of the great Indian Tantrik Guru Padmasambhava.
How to Reach Dharamsala
By Air
The nearest Airport is at Gaggla, approxiamtely 13 km away from the town.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is that of Pathankot, approxiamtely 85 km away.
By Road
There are regular bus services from Manali, Delhi and Shimla to Dharamsala.
It houses a large settlement of Tibetan refugee. Monks in their robes and old Tibetans walking with rosaries in their hands or turning the prayer wheels is a common sight here. There are a number of monasteries and temples in Dharamsala, which serves as the major attractions for the tourists coming here. There are also several institutes here, set up to conserve the art, culture and traditions of Tibet.
Tourist
Attractions of DharamsalaNamgyal Monastery
The personal monastery of The Dalai Lama, Namgyal is situated in Upper Dharamsala. It houses huge stucco statues of the Buddha, Avalokitesvara and Padmasambhava. The monastery also consists of an institute for learning, where futures Lamas are provided with higher Tibet studies.
Gangchen Kyishong
The offices of the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Library of Tibetan Works and Archives are located here.
Monastery of Nechung Oracle
The monastery of Nechung Oracle is situated within the complex of Gangchen Kyishong. The official oracle of The Dalai Lama sits here.
Men-Tse-Khang
It is the center for Tibetan Medicine, located very near to Nechung.
Norbulingka Monastery
The beautiful monastery of Norbulingka boasts of a rich collection of art, paintings, handicrafts and thankas.
Rewalsar
Rewalsar lies very near to Dharamshala. Here, you can visit the cave temple of the great Indian Tantrik Guru Padmasambhava.
How to Reach Dharamsala
By Air
The nearest Airport is at Gaggla, approxiamtely 13 km away from the town.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is that of Pathankot, approxiamtely 85 km away.
By Road
There are regular bus services from Manali, Delhi and Shimla to Dharamsala.
I want To visit this location. But how? Thank you.
ReplyDelete