Thinking of exploring some of the most popular Buddhist temples and monasteries in India? Well, your Buddhist tours in India are going to be an amazing experience to relish for a lifetime. There are so many temples and pilgrimage sites in India associated with Buddhism. These religious sites are not just important for Buddhists. They are also equally popular among travelers who want to learn about history, art, and culture. Visiting these Buddhist heritage sites and places will make you feel calm and give you a magical experience, as if you are stepping into a different world.
Buddhism began in India more than 2,500 years ago. Lord Buddha, who started Buddhism, was born in Lumbini (now in Nepal). But he spent most of his life in India. He meditated, taught his lessons, and even attained enlightenment in places like Bodh Gaya and Sarnath. Today, many Buddhist monks and followers from all over the world visit India to see these holy places.
There are many Buddhist monasteries and temples spread across different parts of India. Some are located in the mountains, like the Tawang Monastery in Arunachal Pradesh and Hemis Monastery in Ladakh. Others are found in peaceful towns and forests, like the Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar and the Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath. These places are not just ancient buildings. They are full of stories, beautiful art, and peaceful vibes.
In this blog, we will take you on a journey through 15 must-visit Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India. Each one is special and has something unique to offer. Whether you are a student, traveler, or someone looking for peace, these places are perfect to explore and learn about the teachings of Buddha.
No writer or blogger can complete their writing without writing about the Mahabodhi Temple when it comes to writing about Buddhism or Buddhist pilgrimage sites. After all, it is among India’s most revered Buddhist temples. It is the place where Siddhartha Gautama attained his enlightenment beneath a Peepal Tree, also called the Bodhi or Mahabodhi Tree. After the enlightenment, Gautama became Lord Buddha. Thus, it holds huge significance in Buddhism and among Buddhists.
Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in Bodh Gaya (Bihar) and is known for its spectacular architecture. Built in a tall pyramid-shaped construction, it boasts a calm landscape and presents a perfect environment for peace and meditation. Pilgrims and Buddhist followers come here to worship and meditate from all around the world. Even tourists from all around visit this Buddhist temple and have a divine and tranquil experience.
Mahaparinirvana Temple is another temple that is considered one of the most revered and significant Buddhist temples in India. The reason is that it is the place where Lord Buddha reached complete redemption following his death. Located in Kushinagar in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the place features a massive reclining Buddha statue displaying him in tranquility, which rests inside the shrine. Built of sandstone, the Mahaparinirvana monument also features old ruins and beautiful, lush gardens around the shrine.
Ramabhar Stupa is another sacred place in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh. It is said to be the place where Lord Buddha was cremated after his death. The stupa is a large, dome-shaped structure made of bricks. It is standing in the middle of a quiet field. There are no fancy decorations, but the simplicity of the site makes it very special, peaceful, and spiritual. You will see many monks and visitors walk around the stupa in silence to show respect. Needless to say, you should also follow it and respect the place. Ramabhar Stupa is one of those religious Buddhist sites that help you feel connected to history and the deep teachings of Buddhism.
Tawang Monastery is the largest Buddhist monastery in India and the second largest in the world. Located high in the mountains of Arunachal Pradesh, close to the border with Bhutan, the monastery looks like a big fortress. It has a golden-roofed temple inside. The monastery was built in the 17th century and is home to several monks who study and live there. As a tourist, you will have the opportunity to experience Buddhism and its teachings. That’s not all. You will also have amazing views of snowy mountains and peaceful valleys from Tawang Monastery. The famous monastery is not only a religious site but also a center for learning and prayer. If you are looking forward to visiting and exploring Buddhist temples and monasteries in India, you should consider visiting the Tawang Monastery.
Located in a tranquil village near Leh, Hemis Monastery is one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh and India as well. When visiting this ancient Buddhist monastery, you will be amazed by the decoration with beautiful paintings and statues. There is a large prayer hall in the monastery, which is another attraction. Belonging to the Drukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, the monastery is also known for its colorful Hemis Festival, which is celebrated every year with great zeal and enthusiasm. The festival celebrates the birth of Guru Padmasambhava. When visiting this Buddhist monastery during the festival, you will have the opportunity to see traditional dances and music. Surrounded by rocky mountains, Hemis Monastery is a peaceful place that attracts many visitors and monks from all around the world.
Thinking of visiting one of the most peaceful Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India, which has a calm atmosphere and spectacular mountain views, Rumtek Monastery is the best choice. It is the largest monastery in the state of Sikkim and serves as the main center of the Karma Kagyu School of Tibetan Buddhism. Besides scenic views and a peaceful atmosphere, another trait of this monastery is that it has colorful buildings, large prayer wheels, and many ancient scriptures. Here, you can see monks spending their time studying, praying, and meditating. The golden stupa inside the temple holds the relics of the 16th Karmapa, a great spiritual leader. There are many more around this monastery that you can experience on your Gangtok or Sikkim tours in India.
When someone talks about the Golden Temple in India, it usually denotes the Sri Harmandir Sahib in Amritsar (Punjab), right? Did you know that Namdroling Monastery is also called the Golden Temple? Located in Bylakuppe in the district of Mysore in Karnataka, Namdroling Monastery is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries and a popular Buddhist pilgrimage site in South India. It is a Tibetan settlement and is famous for its golden statues of Lord Buddha and colorful wall paintings. These paintings show scenes from Buddha’s life. The monastery was built in 1963 and is home to thousands of monks and nuns. The peaceful surroundings and the sound of chanting create a divine ambiance and make it a great place for meditation. When visiting this Buddhist monastery in India, you can feel calm and happy after spending time there. It is a perfect example of how Buddhist temples and monasteries in India are not just in the North, but all over the country.
Located on a hilltop in Leh (Ladakh), Thiksey Monastery is one of the most significant Buddhist pilgrimage sites and monasteries in India. Looking a bit like the famous Potala Palace in Tibet, Thiksey Monastery is known for its white buildings stacked up the hillside. Inside the monastery, there is a huge statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is two stories tall. The monastery also has many prayer halls, books, and ancient items. Monks here wear maroon robes and follow Tibetan traditions. Visitors come to see the morning prayers and enjoy the peaceful views of the valley. If you want to learn about Buddhism and feel close to nature, visiting Thiksey Monastery in Leh can be a good choice.
Diskit Monastery is the largest and oldest Buddhist monastery in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh. It is located on a hill and offers fantastic views of the valley and the Shyok River. At the heart of the valley is a massive statue of Maitreya Buddha, 32 meters tall, the valley’s most important symbol of peace. The monastery belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect, and is more than 350 years old. Inside the monastery, you can see old scriptures, paintings, and a prayer hall. The calm and simple life of the monks here makes it a very peaceful place to visit and experience true Buddhist values.
Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India. It was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE to honor Lord Buddha. The main stupa is a large dome made of stone, and it is surrounded by beautiful gates called toranas. These gates are carved with stories from Buddha’s life. The place is very calm and full of history. Although it is not an active monastery, it is still a very important spot for Buddhist followers and tourists. Sanchi Stupa shows how Buddhism has been part of India’s history for thousands of years and is a must-visit for anyone interested in ancient culture.
Namgyal Monastery sits peacefully in McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh). It is the personal residence of the Dalai Lama and one of the key Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India. Many Buddhist tours include this sacred spot. On your visit to Namgyal Monastery, you will see monks studying, praying, and meditating here in a very calm and divine atmosphere. You will find intricate artwork and Buddha statues here. Also, you will have the opportunity to learn about Buddhism and Buddhist traditions. If you want to visit a monastery where you can have a deep spiritual experience, you should consider visiting Namgyal Monastery in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
Not a Buddhist Temple, but the Dhamek Stupa in Sarnath is one of the most significant Buddhist pilgrimage or religious sites in the world. It holds a special position in Buddhism and among Buddhists because it is the place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after gaining enlightenment. Made of stone and bricks, the stupa stands tall with beautiful carvings on its lower part. Tourists and Buddhists from all around the world come here to learn about the beginning of Buddhism. This special site is surrounded by ruins of several old monasteries and temples, creating a peaceful and historical atmosphere. Located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, you can reach Sarnath easily. It is not far from Varanasi (one of the famous Hindu pilgrimage sites in India). Most tour organizers take their guests to Sarnath on Varanasi tours.
Located in Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Mindrolling Monastery is one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in India. The monastery was built in 1965 by Tibetan monks who came to India. It has a tall stupa, beautiful gardens, and colorful walls with paintings showing scenes from Buddha’s life. One of the main attractions here is the Great Stupa—one of the tallest stupas in Asia. Inside the monastery, you will see large statues of Lord Buddha and many ancient scriptures on Buddhism. The Tibetan-style architecture and peaceful surroundings will never fail to mesmerize you.
Ghoom Monastery is a small but famous Buddhist temple located in the hill town of Darjeeling. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the region and is also known as Yiga Choeling Monastery. The main attraction here is the 15-foot-high statue of Maitreya Buddha, also known as the Future Buddha. The monastery is peaceful and filled with the scent of incense and the sound of prayer chants. Surrounded by misty hills and tea gardens, it offers a calm and spiritual experience. It’s a perfect stop for tourists and pilgrims visiting the scenic town of Darjeeling.
Vishwa Shanti Stupa, or the World Peace Pagoda, is located on top of Ratnagiri Hill in Rajgir, Bihar. It was built as a symbol of peace by the Japanese Buddhist monk Nipponzan Myohoji. To reach the stupa, you can either climb stairs or take a ropeway. The stupa is white and has golden statues of Lord Buddha in four different poses. The place is quiet, with lovely views of the hills and forests around it. It is not only a Buddhist pilgrimage site, but also a place where people come to find peace and enjoy nature.
India is truly a special country for anyone interested in Buddhism. There are several Buddhist temples and monasteries in India. These monuments and spiritual sites show us the rich history, culture, and peaceful teachings of Lord Buddha. From the most sacred Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, where Siddharth Gautama became Buddha after attaining enlightenment, to the calm Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Rajgir, each site offers something unique. Whether it is the snow mountains of Ladakh with the very famous Hemis and Diskit monasteries or the colorful monasteries in Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, these Buddhist pilgrimage sites are just amazing and divine.
That’s not all. Namdroling Monastery in South India is another architectural brilliance that holds great significance for Buddhism. It shows that Buddhism is spread all across the country. Exploring and visiting these pilgrimage sites, monasteries, or Buddhist temples in India will give you a chance to learn about Buddha’s life and his teachings about peace, love, and kindness. These temples or monasteries are not only places for worship but also centers for meditation and learning.
So, when you are planning to explore the famous Buddhist monasteries and temples in India. If you are not sure which place you want to visit or are looking for a well-designed tour package that covers prominent Buddhist sites, you can count on Pilgrim Packages India. We have several Buddhist pilgrimage packages that will let you explore the best of Buddhist pilgrimage sites or temples in India.