Search Indian Maps, Pincodes, Local Info and more...
Statue Of Dying Buddha Kushinagar Uttar Pradesh
Kushinagar is a Buddhism centre where Lord Buddha died. It is at this place where he passed away near the River Hiranyavati and at the Ramabhar Stupa, he was cremated. It was Malla Kingdom’s celebrated center. Most of its viharas and stupas belonged to the period of 230 BC to AD 413 at the peak of its prosperity.
The excavations of General Cunningham revealed some of the antique structures and artifacts which were related to the Buddhism sects. Kushinagar expressed various common threads of the Buddhism sects through its popular Tibetan monasteries, temples, Chaityas and Viharas. In olden days, Kushinagar was popularly known as Kasia and Kushinara.
Kushinagar is the principal Buddhist centers of pilgrimage of Mahaparinirvan. The Kushinagar monuments are located in 3 places in the houses of Nirvana Temples having 6 meter long image and statue of reclining Buddha. In 1876, the image got unearthed at the time of excavations. An inscription belongs to the shrine of Mathakaur of 5th century BC which is the image of black stone of Lord Buddha in the Mudra of Bhumi Sparsha which is a posture that looks like touching down the earth was also recovered.
Origin
Kushinagar is also famous as Kusinara and Kasia. The Buddhism founder, Lord Buddha had died away near the River Hiranyavati there and at Ramabhar Stupa, He was cremated here. This place has a history of its own. Grandeur was added by Ashoka, the Mauryan emperor at this place by carving the statue of Lord Buddha on a single piece made of red sandstone. Three of the popular Chinese scholars have travelled to India, Fa Hien, I-tsing and Huen Tsang all have visited here.
With the decline of the Buddhist sect, Kushinagar however lost its significance and it suffered a lot of ignorance. It was in the previous century that the excavations made by Lord Alexander Cunningham left many remnants of the site like Ramabhar Stupa and Matha Kua. At present, people from various parts of the world visit this place. Many international and national groups and societies have established their own centers here.
Attractions
Nirvana Stupa and Temple
This stupa is made of bricks and Carlleyl excavated it in 1867. It is at 2.74 meters height. There is an excavation of copper vessel and the inscription of Brahmi on it proves that the ashes of Buddha were cremated there. It made this place an important place for the devotees of Buddha. Besides this, there is a huge reclining Buddha statue in the temple.
Mahaparinirvan Temple
There is a 6 meter long Buddha statue here. The image of this statue was unearthed during the 1876’s excavations. It is carved from the sandstone of Chunar, the statue of Buddha represents the dying and reclining Buddha.
Wai Thai Temple
This temple is built for celebrating King Bhumiboli’s victory of great accession of his throne and the golden Jubilee is also worth watching, especially of many trees planted here. There is also a Chinese temple, International Buddha trust, the Birla temple and the Meditation Park which adds charm to the city.
Ramabhar Stupa
It is located at a distance of 1.5 km from Mahaparinirvan temple, this big stupa is of height of about 49 ft. It is the site of crimination of Lord Buddha. The Stupa was known as ‘Mukut-Bandhan Vihar’ in ancient text of Buddhists.
Japanese Temple
There is a beautiful statue of Buddha made of metals and it was brought here from Japan.
Where to Stay
There are many facilities for accommodation available like the Dharamshalas and Charitable trusts. There is a Hotel, Lotus Nikko in Kushinagar at a distance of 55 kms from the railway station of Gorakhpur. Other good places for staying here are Nepalese Dharamshala, Dharamshala of Hindu Birla Buddha and International Guesthouse etc. The Pathik Niwas and UP Tourism accommodation is also good.
How to Reach Kushinagar
By Air
The nearest airport is in Gorakhpur located at 44 kms distance from the place. Other nearest airports are the Kasia airport, Amausi airport in Lucknow and Babatpur Airport located in Varanasi.
By Rail
Gorakhpur Railway Station is the nearest railway station that links several trains to major cities.
By Road
The National Highway 28 is the major highway having good connectivity of local and state owned buses to major places of the state.
Photo Gallery