In Lord Buddha's Footsteps in Uttar Pradesh

Lord Buddha, the Enlightened or the Awakened One,Kaushambi
spent a greater part of his life in the eastern IndianFormerly the capital of the Vatsa Janpada, Kaushambi
state of Uttar Pradesh. He was born in Uttarwas famous as an excellent Centre of Buddhist
Pradesh, at Kapilvastu. He breathed his last in theLearning. Buddha spent two rainy seasons here (the
same state, at Kushinagar. No wonder, Uttar Pradeshsixth and the ninth year) after he got enlightenment.
has several Buddhist spots that inspire those on theKaushambi is located 54 km away from Allahabad.
trail of the Lord Buddha.Prabhosa
KapilvastuLocated one kilometer away from Kaushambi,
The most important Buddhist spot in Uttar Pradesh,Prabhosa--earlier called Mankula--was the sixth rain
Kapilvastu's claim to fame rests on the fact that Lordretreat of Lord Buddha after he got nirvana or
Buddha was born here (Lumbini in Nepal, the exactenlightenment. The famous Chinese traveler Hieun
place where Buddha was born, is only 27 km awayTsang visited Prabhosa in the seventh century AD
from here). His father was Shuddhodana, the thenand mentioned the existence of a stupa built by
King of the Shakya Kingdom. It was at Kapilvastu,Ashoka, the Great Mauryan Emperor.
the capital of the Shakya Kingdom, that BuddhaSravasti
witnessed sorrow, pain, disease, death and theFormerly the capital of the Kosala Mahajanpada,
radiant happy sadhu who eventually shaped his lifeSravasti has the distinction of being host to Lord
and gave a new meaning to his earthy existence.Buddha for 24 rainy seasons. Buddha performed
Presently, Kapilvastu has several stupas and stonemany miracles here. Sravasti boasts of several age
caskets with relics believed to be of Lord Buddha.old stupas and majestic monasteries that much
Sarnathattract the visitors. However, the pride of Sravasti is
Another prominent Buddhist spot and a greatthe Anand Bodhi Tree believed to be planted by
pilgrimage centre in Uttar Pradesh, Sarnath is justAnand, the favorite disciple of the Lord Buddha.
eight kilometers away from Varanasi and is muchKusinagar
famous as the place where Lord Buddha delivered hisOne of the most attractive Buddhist destinations of
first sermon, which is called DharamachakraIndia, and a great pilgrimage centre, Kusinagar is much
Pravartan, after attaining nirvana or enlightenment.renowned as the place where the Tathagata, i.e.,
This well-known Buddhist spot has many stupas,Lord Buddha, breathed his last at the age of 80.
monasteries, and Ashokan Column (Dhamekh StupaPresently, the site has a wonderful statue of Lord
and Dharmarajika Stupa). Sarnath is also famous asBuddha, in a reclining position, in the Mahaparinirvana
the place where the renowned Buddhist lineTemple. The statue was brought from Mathura.
"Buddham Saranam Gacchami" originated.