Buddhism is one of the key religions of the world that teaches a beautiful way of spiritual development, meditation, and philosophy. The era of Buddhism came to pass from the Magadha region and spread across the world by the followers of Buddha. Buddhism exercised a tremendous influence on Indian culture, it is believed to have enriched religion, art, sculpture, language, and literature of India in a way. Explore the most popular Buddhist temples and monasteries in India through this article.
Wat Thai Temple - Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
Wat Thai Temple was built to commemorate the victory of the popular King Bhumibol of Thailand. This temple is known for its exceptional architectural charm and the scenic beauty and charisma are unparalleled. Click on the below link to read more
Thikse Gompa Monastery - Thiksey, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
Thiksey Gompa is the largest monastery in Ladakh and is also supposed to be mini Potala Palace. Thiksey Monastery belongs to the Gelukpa Order of Buddhism that was built in 1430 A.D and features a temple dedicated to Goddess Dorje Chenmo. Click on the below link to read more
Mindrolling Monastery - Clement Town, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Mindrolling Monastery is one of the six major monasteries and the only one in India. This is a storehouse of knowledge with numerous shrine rooms, murals, and relics inside. The area also houses the Great Stupa, which is 60 mt tall and said to be the tallest Stupa in the world. Click on the below link to read more
Ghoom Monastery - Ghoom, Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
At a grand elevation of 8,000 feet, the Yiga Choeling or old Ghoom Monastery is part of the Yellow Hat sect known as Gelupka who worships the 'Coming Buddha' or 'Maitreyi Buddha'. One can also find many rare Buddhist manuscripts within the premises and treated to a beautiful view of the majestic Kanchenjunga outside the monastery. Click on the below link to read more
Ghoom Monastery - Yiga Choeling Monastery
Namdroling Monastery Golden Temple - Bylakuppe, Coorg, Karnataka, India
The grand gold statues of Lord Buddha, ornamented with the richest tints and cultures are awe-inspiring. This monastery stands out not only because of its geography but also due to its generosity in the color, glitter, and sparkle that it adds to spirituality. Click on the below link to read more
Namdroling Monastery Golden Temple
Rumtek Monastery - Gangtok, Sikkim, India
This colorful, grand monastery dates back to the 9th century in Tibet but was reestablished in the early 1960s in India. The chantings, rituals, masked dances, and the echoes of the prayer wheels at this monastery will transport you to another land. Click on the below link to read more
Tsuglagkhang-Dalai Lama Temple Complex - McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India
Nestled among pine forests, the Tsuglagkhang Complex is a Buddhist monastery in Dharamsala that also serves as the official residence of the Dalai Lama. The three-meter high gilded statue of Sakyamuni Buddha inside the temple is also a must-see. Click on the below link to read more
Tsuglagkhang - Dalai Lama Temple Complex
Dhamek Stupa - Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Dhamekh Stupa is a massive Buddhist Stupa in Sarnath that marks the spot where Buddha gave his first sermon to his first disciple's post-enlightenment. This massive cylindrical Stupa is 43.6 meters high and has a width of 28 meters. Click on the below link to read more
Vishwa Shanti Stupa - Rajgir, Nalanda, Bihar, India
Also known as World Peace Pagoda, it is a key attraction of the city that can be reached through a ropeway. The Saptparni cave here housed the first Buddhist council while the Gridhakuta hill was where Budha gave the Lotus Sutra and the Prajnaparamita. Click on the below link to read more
Sanchi Buddhist Monuments - Sanchi, Vidisha, Raisen, Madhya Pradesh, India
The stupa has a huge hemispherical dome housing many relics of Lord Buddha and four intricately carved gateways that face different directions. The temple was built under the strict supervision of Emperor Ashoka’s wife and daughter. Click on the below link to read more
Sarnath Buddhist Temple - Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Built by Emperor Ashoka, is believed that it was at this place that the first spiritual discourse as an enlightened master was given by Lord Buddha. Hence, the place has a great significance in Buddhism and is a must-visit Buddhist pilgrim site. Click on the below link to read more
Red Maitreya Temple - Leh, Jammu and Kashmir, India
The Red Maitreya temple is greatly famous for housing the 49 feet tall statue of Lord Buddha made from clay and is painted in a gorgeous golden color which makes it look mesmerizing. Click on the below link to read more
Stupa of Sariputra - Nalanda
The Stupa of Sariputra contains the bones of one of the two chief disciples of Gautam Buddha. The stupa is pyramidal and is imposing in size, surrounded by pillared structures, typical to Buddhist structures. Click on the below link to read more
Ajanta Caves - Ajanta, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
Ajanta caves are Buddhist places in India that depict the culture and their stories through various sculptures and paintings. The Ajanta caves are a set of 30 rock-cut Buddhist caves that date back to the period between 2nd century B.C and 650 C.E. sculpture. Click on the below link to read more
Bojjannakonda & Lingalakonda Sankaram Buddhist Monastery - Anakapalle, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Bojjannakonda is a small group of six rock-cut caves that date back to 4th Century A.D. The caves have beautifully carved statues of Gautam Buddha which draw tourists and believers for its aesthetic and religious importance. Click on the below link to read more
Bojjannakonda & Lingalakonda Sankaram Buddhist Monastery
Karla Buddha Caves - Karla, Lonavla, Pune, Maharashtra, India
These caves are important sites for Buddhist pilgrimage in India and depict an early phase of the Buddhist architecture. The characteristic features of these early temples were two establishments, each self-contained and consisting of a prayer hall (chaitya) and a monastery (vihara), which contained accommodation for the monks. Click on the below link to read more
Ellora Caves - Ellora, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India
The 12 Buddhist Caves mostly include viharas or monasteries and several monasteries have shrines that are carved with paintings and sculptures of Buddha, Bodhisattva, and Saints. Chaitya hall features a cathedral-like stupa hall, which is called as chaityas. Click on the below link to read more
Elephanta Caves - Gharapuri, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Thought to have been built between the 5th and 8th century C.E., the five Hindu and two Buddhist caves collectively known as the Elephanta Caves. The impressive 6m high Trimurthi sculpture, which features three faces of Lord Shiva survived and remains the highlight of the caves. Click on the below link to read more
Mahaparinirvana Stupa - Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India
Mahaparinirvana Temple features a 6-meters long statue of the reclining Buddha which is set amidst the extensive lawns and ancient unearthed ruins with a circumambulatory path. This 5th-century idol depicts the dying age of Gautam Buddha and makes it one of the renowned Buddhist temples in India. Click on the below link to read more
