Department of Tourism, Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh offers diverse tourism, from spiritual sites and wildlife to heritage and landscapes. The Tourism Department promotes key destinations across state including the Buddhist destinations like Sarnath, Shravasti, Kushinagar, Kapilavastu, Kaushambi and Sankisa, preserving their rich legacy. Iconic events like Buddha Poornima further celebrate this heritage, drawing global attention to the state's cultural and spiritual wealth.
Visit Website: https://uptourism.gov.in/en
SARNATH
India has officially nominated the 'Ancient Buddhist Site, Sarnath for the UNESCO World Heritage List under the 2025–26 nomination cycle. Sarnath has been on UNESCO's “tentative list” since 1998. It is the sacred site where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon after achieving enlightenment, igniting the essence of Buddhism. Here, within the peaceful deer park, Buddha formed his first sangha, or first disciples, to promote His new teachings. The spiritual landscape of Sarnath is highlighted by the grand Dhamek stupa, a large cylindrical structure that rises 43.6 meters into the sky. This architectural wonder marks the location where Buddha first taught the middle path to his five disciples, laying the groundwork for Buddhist doctrine. The town also features the renowned lion capital pillar, or the Ashoka Pillar, erected by King Ashoka. Visitors can also enjoy the serene atmosphere of Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandha Kuti Vihar, and Sarnath Archaeological museum.
SHRAVASTI
Once the capital of the Kosala Kingdom, Shravasti has a close connection with the life of Gautam Buddha, who is believed to have spent 25 Chaturmasas here. This location was Buddha’s preferred retreat during the rainy season. It is here that Buddha performed His first miracle. Additional sites to explore in the city include Jetavana Monastery, the Ananda Bodhi tree, Angulimala stupa, Daenmahamongkol vipassana Meditation Centre, The Golden Buddha and Saheth and Maheth.
KUSHINAGAR
Situated in the Gorakhpur district of Uttar Pradesh, Kushinagar is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites globally. Traveling to Kushinagar allows visitors to trace the final steps of Lord Buddha, where he attained Mahaparinirvana. This sacred site, featuring the reclining Buddha statue, Ramabhar stupa (the cremation site of Lord Buddha), and numerous temples, serves as a poignant reminder of Buddha's ultimate liberation. Notable places to visit in Kushinagar include the Mahaparinirvana temple, which houses a long reclining Buddha statue, as well as Wat Thai Temple, Chinese Temple, and Japanese Temple.
