Kushinagar Travel

Historical Perspective
Kushinagar still echoes what the Lord conjectured in his last doctrine, " Now, O brothers! I do remind you, all component things are subject to decay. Work for your salvation in the earnest."

Kushinagar is situated in the north Indian State of Uttar Pradesh at a distance of 51 km from Gorakhpur. The place is sanctified for the Mahaparinirvana, the death of Lord Buddha.
The Temple in Kushinagar houses 6-m long statue of the lying Buddha The image was discovered during the unearthing in 1876. An epitaph down depicts the dates of the statue dating back to the 5th century BC. Mathakaur shrine is black stone image of Lord Buddha that had been recovered in the Bhumi Sparsha Mudra, a posture showing him touching the earth.

With the descent of Buddhism, Kushinagar lost its glory and charm and sustain much laxity. In 19th century Lord Alexander Cunningham dig out many ruins of the main site such as the Matha Kua and Ramabhar stupa. Today, visitors from all over the world throng Kushinagar to visit these most important pilgrimages and also many national and international societies and groups have founded their centers here.

Major Attractions
Nirvana Stupa
The Stupa is erected in the east of the main Nirvana Temple. This colossal stupa with a hight of 2.74m made up of bricks was discovered by Carlleyl in the year 1867. A big copper vessel was unearthed at this site with an inscription engraved on it in ancient Brahmi language, which foretells that "Lord Buddha's remains are deposited here".
Visiting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset

Mahaparinirvana Temple
Nirvana Temple treasures the 6-m long statue of reclining Buddha. This huge statue of Lord Buddha was unearthed during the massive digging in the year 1876 and was chisel out of Chunar sandstone. The holy sculpture represents the dying Buddha resting on his right side. An inscription below depicts the date that the statue belongs to the 5th century AD.
The temple is a major allure in Kushinagar, which has bewildered pilgrims and travelers from across the world.

Nirvana Chaitya.
At a distance of 1.5 km eastwards from the main Nirvana Temple there erected Rambhar Stupa, the holy place where the Lord Buddha was cremated. The temple hustles with life as hundreds of pilgrims throng the place everyday.

Matha Kuar Temple
It is just fascinating to view a gigantic statue of the ruling deity at Matha Kuar temple. There is a huge statue made up of black stone of Lord Buddha resting under the Bodhi tree in a posture of Bhumi Sparsh Mudra.

Indo-Japan-Sri Lanka temple
The Indo-Japan-Sri Lanka temple is a neoteric Buddhist edifice, which is famous all over the world for its beautiful architectural splendor. The exquisite Wat Thai temple is a dazzling structure constructed in the style of Thai-Buddhist architecture, a worth visiting sight.

Kushinagar Museum
The museum is beckoned with spectacular accumulation of ancient archaeological findings, there are almost 248 precious antiquity stored in the museum, the gypsum statue of Lord Buddha in the meditation posture is a marvelous specimen that attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. It represents zenith of the Gandhara School of Art.

Buddha Vihar
The Myanmar Buddha Vihar, first Monastry in Kushinagar is a great center of enticement with many of its Buddhist shrines inside their monastery. The temples is a abode of ravishing metal statues of Lord Buddha and a meager accumulation of excavated bone and metals called Asthidhatu of Lords and his associates.

Mode of Transport
Air: The nearest airport is Gorakhpur (44km). One can get buses or taxis from there for Kushinagar.

Rail: The nearest railhead is Gorakhpur: 51 km, that is linked to major destinations like Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin and Barauni.

Road: Situated on National Highway No. 28, Kushinagar is well connected with other parts of the state.

From Gorakhpur to Kushinagar it is just a drive of less than one hour. Some major road distances are: Gorakhpur-51 km, Lumbini-173 km, Kapilastu-148 km, Sarnath 266 km. Lalitpur 33 km from Deogarh.