Home > Society > Religion in India > Vikramshila
Vikramshila
Vikramshila is a popular Buddhist pilgrimage center located near Patna.

Share this Article:

Vikramshila, Buddhist Pilgrimage CenterVikramshila is the center for Buddhist learning. The University of Vikramshila is located in Bihar. From Bhagalpur , Vikramshila University is situated at a distance of 50 kilometers. The foundation for this university was laid in 8th century. This educational institute slowly developed as the main learning center for Tantric Buddhism. Under the rule of King Ramapala, the university had 1000 students and 160 teachers for them in the monastery.

The Vikramshila University is placed on a hilltop that overlooks the River Ganges. The university has been constructed in such a place that is well known for its serenity and picturesque beauty. In earlier times a temple preserving the life-size figure of the Mahabodhi tree adorned the central part of the university.

For learning the Guhyasamaja Tantra, 53 small temples were built near the Vikramshila University. Besides these, there were other 54 temples as well. The principle deities of these temples were Nagarjuna and Atisa. Ratnavajra, Jnanasrimitra, Santipa, Jetari and Naropa were scholars from Vikramshila University.

The nearest airport to this site is Patna, located at a distance of 291 kilometers. Vikramshila is also well connected by road from Patna, Bodhgaya, Gaya, Motiharti and other places.


Other Buddhist Piligrimage Centre in India are

Don Hajipur Cave Kesariya Kusinara Pragbodhi Vikramshila DahuliGiri
Ghosrawan Indasala Cave Kosambi Lauria Nandangarh Sankasya Lumbini Saranath



Share this Article:

Related Articles

More Articles in Religion in India


Religion in Indus Valley Civilization
Religion in Indus Valley Civilisation included Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Details about the religion in Indus Valley Civilization have been gathered from archaeological artefacts.
Shaivism Religion
Shaivism is the second largest “religious community” in modern India with its roots deeply seated in the Hindu Vedic belief.
Vaishnavism
Vaishnavism is among the more popular denominations of Hinduism, with its own distinctive ideas about spirituality and morality. Vaishnavism concentrates on worshipping god Vishnu and of his incarnations.
Hinduism Religion
Hinduism is more of a philosophy which is a way of living according to the understanding of the principles of Vedas and Upanishads.
Islam
Islam is a religion that beliefs in Allah as the one and only God and creator of the Universe. Islamic law or Sharia is characterised by the five pillars of Islam which comprise the essential duties of every Muslim.
Christianity
Christianity is a religion based on the teachings and life of Jesus Christ and it is the largest religion in the world.
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and a philosophy that encompasses a wide variety of beliefs, practices and traditions that are chiefly based on the teachings of Gautama Buddha and its later disciples.
Jainism
Jainism chronologically preceded the religion of Buddhism. It is considered as one of the oldest religions of India. Jainism in India shared with Hinduism and Buddhism. It is an integral part of South Asian religious belief and practice, but it is not a Hindu sect and not a Buddhist heresy, as earlier scholars believed.
Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism, closely related to Judaism, Christianity and Islam was founded by Zoroaster.
Sikhism
Sikhism is a religion started by Guru Nanak in land of Punjab in 15th century A.D.