Tourism in Kushinagar District includes visits to various archaeological and religious sites. This district of Uttar Pradesh is known for its several Buddhist temples. People from all parts of the world come and explore the Buddhist sites offered by Kushinagar District.
Some of the main tourist spots of Kushinagar District are mentioned below -
Mahaparinirvana Temple: This temple stands on the same plinth as the main Nirvana Stupa behind it. The reclining Nirvana statue of Lord Buddha inside the temple is around 6.10 metres long and it is made of monolith red - sandstone. It represents the Buddha reclining on his right side with his face towards the west. It is placed on a large brick-pedestal with stone-posts at the corners. There is an inscription datable to 5th Century AD.
Nirvana Chaitya (Main Stupa): Nirvana Chaitya is located just behind the Main Mahaparinirvana Temple. It was excavated by Carlleyle in the year 1876. During excavations, a copper-plate was found, which contained the text of the `Nidana-Sutra`. A copper vessel was also recovered which contained silver coins of Kumar Gupta, emperor of Gupta Empire in India.
Ramabhar Stupa: Ramabhar Stupa, also called a Mukutbandhan-Chaitya, is the cremation place of Lord Buddha. This site is located at 1.5 km east of the main Nirvana Temple on Kushinagar-Deoria road. This Stupa has a huge circular drum with a diameter of near about 34.14 metres on the top consisting of two or more terraces and is 47.24 meters in diametre at the base.
Matha Kuar Shrine: A huge statue of Lord Buddha is installed here, which represents Buddha seated under the `Bodhi Tree` in a pose popularly known as `Bhumi Sparsh Mudra` (Earth touching pose). The inscription at the base of statue is datable to the 10th or 11th Century AD.
Meditation Park: Recently developed near the main Nirvana Temple, this park has artificial water bodies with raised lush-green platforms for meditation surrounded by Sal-trees. It is representing a complete Buddhist-ambience.
Indo-Japan-Srilanka Temple: Indo-Japan-Srilanka temple is a marvel of Buddhist architectural grandeur of modern times.
Wat Thai Temple: It is a huge complex built in a typical Thai-Buddhist architectural fashion.
State Museum: Built by the state government, this museum represents Buddhist-architectural ambience. Ancient archaeological discoveries and antiquities are displayed in this museum.
Ruins and Brick Structures: Ruins and ancient brick structures near Mahaparinirvana Temple are the remains of various monasteries of different sizes constructed from time to time in the ancient period.
Apart from these major attractions there are several other nearby temples that are worth seeing like Linh Son Chinese Temple, Myan Mar (Burmese) Temple, Birla Hindu Buddha temple, Japanese Stupa, Korean Temple, Shiva temple, Ram Janaki Temple, etc.
How to Reach Kushinagar District
Kushinagar District is easily accessed through roadways and railways. Kushinagar is well connected with regular bus service available from Gorakhpur as well as from Deoria. Further, Padrauna, district headquarter, is linked with metre-gauge railway line from Gorakhpur. Nearest railway stations for reaching Kushinagar are Gorakhpur Railway Station and Deoria.
