Bengaluru, Dec 13 (UiTV) - Kushinagar is a place in Uttar Pradesh adjacent to Gorakhpur where Lord Buddha attained Nirvana or Moksha. The place is a famous religious pilgrimage center for Buddhists and devotees from all around the world to visit here. Kushinagar is also famous for numerous monasteries and stupas built in ancient times. The Buddha temple built at Kushinagar is very beautiful and the visitors can easily spend the day by exploring various temples. The center of attraction of Kushinagar is the Mahaparinirvana Stupa where the Gautam Buddha is finally resting after attaining Nirvana. The reclining statue of the Buddha after attaining nirvana is 6.10 meters long and made of special monolith red-sandstone dated by in the 5th Century A.D.

The place has become a major tourist place in north India, it has other temples like Indo-Japanese temple, Thai temple, Burmese temple, Chinese temple, Korean temple, Sri Lankan temple, Tibetan temples along with a meditation park, museums that cover an area of 15 acres.

Mahaparinirvana Temple in kushinagar (Image source: gorakhpur.nic.in)

How Kushinagar got its name?

The name of Kushinagar is believed to be derived as Kushavati (Jatakas), centuries ago. According to mentions in Ramayana, the place was named after Lord Rama's son Kusha because these regions were under the administration of Kusha. Kushinagar was also a place of fame for the Malla Empire.

Ramabhar Stupa at Kushinagar (Image source: gorakhpur.nic.in)

Attractions in Kushinagar:

• Parinirvana Stupa
• Indo - Japan Srilanka Temple
• Ramabhar Stupa
• Chinese Temple
• Wat Thai Temple
• Matha Kuar Shrine
• Meditation Park
• Museum
• Meditation park

How to Reach?

By airways - Gorakhpur and Varanasi are the nearest airports to Kushinagar. They are 55 km and 236 km away from Kushinagar respectively. The Kushinagar International airport is under construction.
By railways - Gorakhpur is the major railway station near Kushinagar where trains from different cities of India ply. From Gorakhpur railway station one can easily find buses to Kushinagar.
By roadways - Kushinagar is well connected with state and national highways. Frequent bus services are available from Gorakhpur.

Other nearby tourist places in Uttar Pradesh:

• Gorakhpur - 55 km away.
• Ayodhya - 190 km away.
• Varanasi - 236 km away.
• Prayagraj - 347 km way.