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Ladakh Monasteries:
It is a region of Buddhists, which has embraced
several Buddhist monasteries.
Ladakh envelops world’s mightiest ranges, the
majestic Himalayas.

Amongst many monasteries like the famous Alchi
monastery built in 11th centaury, the Hemis Gompa,
Stok and Matho, “Yung-drung” or the swastika is the
earliest surviving monastery of Ladakh.
Dharamsala:
It is surrounded by deodar forests and covers
a scenic view of Granite Mountains. Dharamsala has a
strong Tibetan influence. Situated at McLeod Gang is
“the Namgyal Monastery” the center of Tibetan
studies and known as little Lhasa. Other attractions
are Tashijong Monastery, Namgyal Monastery that is
the private monastery of His Holiness the Dalai
Lama.
Monasteries of Sikkim:
It is a jewel set in snow-clad mountains. The state
is a point of Buddhist Monasteries, specially the
Enchey Monastery at Gangtok, Tashiding Monastery in
Sikkim lies on the top of a hill that looms up
between the Rathong river and the Rangit river,
Rumtak Monastery and Dubdi, each carry its own
historical significance for the localities of Sikkim
BUDDHISM PLACES
Varanasi And Sarnath:
Varanasi is one of the oldest living cities of the
world, which is located on the west bank of the
River Ganga. After attaining Nirvana, Buddha came to
Varanasi in search of his five disciples.
Sarnath is 10 km away from Varanasi, where the
Buddha preached his first sermon.
The Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi and Dharnek stupas are
outstanding.
Bodhgaya:
Bodh Gaya is the place where Gautama Buddha attained
supreme Enlightenment. Pearls of Bodhgaya include
the historic Bodhi Tree, under which Buddha, then
known as Gautama, attained enlightenment. Ratnagar,
the place where enlightened Buddha spent one week
and where it is believed that five colors emitted
from his body.
Nalanda:
Gautama Buddha frequently visited Nalada in the 6th
century BC. It is said that the Lord Buddha found
this place prosperous and developing. The tourists
get a sense of that period by visiting the Nalanda
University Archaeological Complex and Nava Nalanda
Mahavihara Institute. Other places of interest are
the Swarna Gufa, Griddhakuta Parvat, and Vishwa
Shanti Stupa
Ajanta and Ellora:
Ajanta and Ellora are on World Heritage List. Ajanta
was once the retreat of Buddhists. The thirty caves
of Ajanta were carved out of rock. Inside are the
caves showing the life of Buddha and magnificent
frescos and sculptures. Ellora Caves have impressive
34 Hindu, Buddhist and Jain Temples out of which 12
are Mahayana Buddhist caves (550-750 AD).
LUMBINI
Lumbini is situated at the foothills of the
Himalayas in modern Nepal. In the Buddha's time,
Lumbini was a beautiful garden full of green and
shady Sal trees (Shorea). The garden and its
tranquil environs were owned by both the Shakyas and
Kolias clans. King Suddhodana, father of Gautama
Buddha was of the Shakya dynasty belonging to the
Kshatriya or the warrior caste. Maya Devi, his
mother, gave birth to the child on her way to her
parent's home in Devadaha while taking rest in
Lumbini under a sal tree in the month of May in the
year 642 B.C.
Lumbini is the place where the Buddha, known as the
Tathagata* was born. It is the place which should be
visited and seen by a person of devotion and which
should cause awareness and apprehension of the
nature of impermanence.' * Tathagata - One who has
found the Truth
OTHER BUDDHIST SITES:
The history of Buddhism originated long time back in
this land of spirituality. Other important Buddhist
sites in India are Amravati, Kapilavastu, Kosambi,
Lauriya Nandangarh and Sanchi Stupa.
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