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Area
: 6.0 sq km
Population : 13,860 (1991)
Languages : Hindi and English
Best time to visit : October to April
Kushinagar, one of the principal centers of Buddhist
pilgrimage is the place of Mahaparinrvana. The monument of
Kushinagar are situated in three distinct comprising in the
main site of the Nirvana Temple houses over 6meter long statue
of the reclining Buddha The image was unearthed during the
excavations in 1876. An inscription below dates the statue to
the 5th century BC Mathakaur shrine is black stone image of
Lord Buddha in the Bhumi Sparsha Mudra (a posture showing him
touching the earth ) was recovered here.
The credit for bringing this ancient site to light goes to
General A. Cunningham and A.C.I. Carlyl, who, after excavating
the site in 1861, established its antiquity for the first
time. Later, between 1904 and 1912, several excavations
conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India at Kushinagar
confirmed its identity.
Location
Kushinagar is situated in the north Indian state of Uttar
Pradesh, 51 km off Gorakhpur. The place, which is famous for
the Mahaparinirvana (death) of Lord Buddha, has been included
in the famous Buddhist trail encompassing Bihar, Uttar
Pradesh, and Nepal.
Pilgrimage Attraction of Kushinagar
Nirvana Stupa
This huge brickwork stupa, exposed by Carlleyl in 1867, stands
at a height of 2.74 meter. A copper vessel was unearthed at
this site. It bore an inscription in ancient Brahmi, which
stated that Lord Buddha's remains had been deposited here. The
Stupa is located in the east of the main Nirvana Temple.
Nirvana Temple
This houses the over 6 meters long statue of reclining
Buddha. The image was unearthed during the excavations of
1876. Carved from Chunar sandstone, the statue represents the
dying Buddha reclining on his right side. An inscription below
dates the statue to the fifth century AD.
The temple stands on the same plinth as the Stupa behind it.
As mentioned above the ruins of this temple and the reclining
Nirvana statue inside were discovered by Carlleyl in 1876. By
sinking a vertical trench at the centre of its mound he first
discovered the great statue in a much-shattered condition
lying on a broken pedestal.
Mathakuar Shrine
This Shrine lies about 400 yards form the Parinirvana
stupa. A black stone image of the Buddha in the bhumi sparsha
mudra was recovered here. The last sermon by Lord Buddha was
given here.
More than a furlong south-west of the Main Site, by the side
of the road, is the Matha-kuar shrine, wherein is installed a
colossal statue of Buddha, locally called Matha-kuar. The
possible significance of its name has already been referred
to. The statue measures 3.05 m in height and is carved out of
one block of the blue stone of the Gaya region to represent
Buddha seated under the Bodhi tree in a pose known as the
bhumisparsa-mudra ('earth-touching attitude'), which
symbolically expresses the supreme moment in Buddha's life
just before his Enlightenment, when he called upon the Earth
to bear witness to the pieties performed by him in his
previous births.
Ramabhar Stupa
About 1 km away, this large stupa rises to a height of 49
ft. It marks the site where the Lord Buddha was cremated. In
ancient Buddhist texts this stupa has been referred to as
Mukut-Bandhan Vihar. Alias THE CREMATION STUPA Less than 1.61
km to the east of the Matha-kuar shrine stands a mound facing
the road from Kasia to Deoria. There is a sheet of water,
called Ramabhar Jhil or pond, close to it, which dries up in
summer. Whether the name Ramabhar originally belonged to the
pond or to the mound it is difficult to say; nor can it be
satisfactorily derived or its relation to the events of
Buddha's death easily explained.
Japanese Temple
A beautiful Ashta Dhatu (eight metlas) statue of Lord
Buddha, which came from Japan, can be seen here. Built by the
Atago Isshin World Buddhist Cultural Association, it consists
of a single circular chamber, housing a golden image of
Buddha, softly lit through small, stained-glass window.
Visiting Hours : Sunrise to Sunset
Kushinagar Museum
The Buddha Museum contains finds from excavations at the
site. The museum has 248 precious antiques related to coins,
statues and sculptures, architectural remains & bronze
statues.
The proposal was mooted to found a museum for preserving the
archaeological wealth from the region and the present building
came into existence in 1992-93. it is located at about 1 km.
Sough-East from the Kushinagar bus stop, ½ km. From the
Mahaparinirvana temple and about 3 Km. From the Kasia bus
stand. The nucleolus of the collection represents sculptures,
terracottas particularly the Buddhist icons, architectural
remains, bronzes, clay seals, banner paintings (Thankas) and a
few coins. Besides , some Hindu and Jaina antiquities are also
on view. The Stucco statue of Lord Buddha in the meditation
posture is a superb specimen. It represents zenith of the
Gandhara School of Art.
Buddha Vihar
The Myanmar Buddha Vihar, first Monastry in Kushinagar,
attracts the tourist with many of its Buddhist temples inside
their monastery. The temples are equipped with beautiful metal
statues of Lord Buddha and a rare collection of Excavated Bone
& Metals (Asthidhatu) of Lords and followers. The Burmese
Buddha Vihar also holds the main charge for conducting Prayers
in Mahaparinirvana Temple.
A huge "Samridhi Chaitya" Stupa which will contain 5000 brass
statues of Lord Buddha from all over the World is under
construction and is likely to be inaugurated by 1st week of
February 2001.
How to Get There
AirThe nearest airport is Gorakhpur (44km).
Rail The nearest rail head or station is Gorakhpur : 51
km, which is the headquarters of North Eastern Railways and
linked to important destinations. Gorakhpur is connected
directly with Mumbai, Delhi, Cochin and Barauni.
Road Situated on National Highway No. 28, Kushinagar is
well connected with other parts of the state. Some major road
distances are : Gorakhpur-51 km, Lumbini-173 km, Kapilastu-148
km, Sravasti-254 km, Sarnath 266 km. Lalitpur 33 km from
Deogarh
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