--- title: "Buddhist Pilgrimage Map: 49 Sacred Sites in India & Nepal" url: https://primevaluetours.com/buddhist-pilgrimage-map/ description: "Buddhist pilgrimage map of India and Nepal: 49 sacred sites in 6 sectors, from Lumbini and Bodh Gaya to Ajanta and Ladakh. Plan your tour with Prime Value Tours." contact: "+91-9794122849 (WhatsApp) · info@primevaluetours.com · https://primevaluetours.com/plan-your-trip/" ---# Buddhist Pilgrimage Map## Buddhist pilgrimage map of India and Nepal (all sectors)The first map shows one key site from each of the 6 sectors. The core circuit of the Buddha’s life is the dense group in the north-east: Nepal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.India map with one key site from each sector. Interactive Google Maps.### Route of the eight great placesSarnath, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Vaishali, Kushinagar, Lumbini, Shravasti and Sankisa.## Nepal sector: Lumbini and KapilavastuThe birthplace of the Buddha and his childhood kingdom. All seven sites lie within about 60 km of Lumbini, which is 22 km from Gautam Buddha International Airport (Bhairahawa) and 170 km from Kushinagar.Interactive Google Maps road route through the sites in this sector.1. [Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini](https://primevaluetours.com/maya-devi-temple-lumbini-nepal/) birthplace of the Buddha 2. [Tilaurakot (Kapilavastu)](https://primevaluetours.com/tilaurakot-kapilavastu/) palace of King Suddhodana 3. [Devdaha](https://primevaluetours.com/devdaha-buddhist-site/) home of Queen Maya Devi 4. [Ramagrama Stupa](https://primevaluetours.com/ramagrama-stupa/) original relic stupa 5. [Gotihawa](https://primevaluetours.com/gotihawa-krakuchhanda-buddha/) Krakuchhanda Buddha site 6. [Niglihawa Ashoka Pillar](https://primevaluetours.com/niglihawa-ashoka-pillar/) Ashokan inscription 7. [Araurakot](https://primevaluetours.com/araurakot-kanakamuni/) Kanakamuni Buddha site### Distances between places in the Nepal sector| From | To | Approx. road distance | Drive time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Bhairahawa airport | Lumbini (Maya Devi Temple) | 22 km | 40 min | | Lumbini | Tilaurakot (Kapilavastu) | 27 km | 45 min | | Tilaurakot | Araurakot | 6 km | 15 min | | Tilaurakot | Niglihawa Ashoka Pillar | 7 km | 20 min | | Tilaurakot | Gotihawa | 5 km | 15 min | | Lumbini | Ramagrama Stupa | 45 km | 1.5 hrs | | Lumbini | Devdaha | 57 km | 1.5–2 hrs | | Ramagrama | Devdaha | 30 km | 1 hr | | Lumbini | Kushinagar (India) | 170 km | 4–5 hrs |**Tip:** Visit Tilaurakot, Araurakot, Niglihawa and Gotihawa in one half-day loop from Lumbini. Ramagrama and Devdaha make a second half-day trip to the east.## Bihar sector: Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and VaishaliWhere the Buddha became enlightened and taught for many years. Bodh Gaya is 13 km from Gaya airport, with direct flights from Bangkok.1. [Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya](https://primevaluetours.com/mahabodhi-temple-bodh-gaya/) enlightenment, UNESCO site 2. [Rajgir](https://primevaluetours.com/rajgir-buddhist-sites/) Vulture’s Peak, First Council 3. [Nalanda Ruins](https://primevaluetours.com/nalanda-ruins/) ancient university, UNESCO 4. [Patna (Pataliputra)](https://primevaluetours.com/patna-buddhist-sites/) Ashoka’s capital, Third Council 5. [Vaishali](https://primevaluetours.com/vaishali-buddhist-site/) last sermon, Ashoka pillar 6. [Kesaria Stupa](https://primevaluetours.com/kesaria-stupa-bihar/) one of the tallest stupas 7. [Lauriya Nandangarh](https://primevaluetours.com/lauriya-nandangarh/) lion pillar and stupa 8. [Vikramshila](https://primevaluetours.com/vikramshila-ruins/) Pala-era monastic university### Distances between places in the Bihar sector| From | To | Approx. road distance | Drive time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Gaya airport | Bodh Gaya (Mahabodhi Temple) | 13 km | 30 min | | Bodh Gaya | Rajgir | 80 km | 2 hrs | | Rajgir | Nalanda | 15 km | 30 min | | Nalanda | Patna | 90 km | 2.5 hrs | | Patna | Vaishali | 55 km | 1.5 hrs | | Vaishali | Kesaria Stupa | 55 km | 1.5 hrs | | Kesaria | Lauriya Nandangarh | 95 km | 2.5 hrs | | Kesaria | Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh) | 110 km | 3 hrs | | Rajgir | Vikramshila | 190 km | 5 hrs |**Tip:** Rajgir and Nalanda fit in one day from Bodh Gaya. Vaishali and Kesaria fit on the drive north from Patna to Kushinagar.## Uttar Pradesh sector: Sarnath, Kushinagar and ShravastiThe first sermon, the Mahaparinirvana and the longest rains retreats. Our office is in Varanasi, 10 km from Sarnath.1. [Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath](https://primevaluetours.com/dhamek-stupa-sarnath/) first sermon 2. [Varanasi](https://primevaluetours.com/varanasi-buddhist-pilgrimage/) gateway to Sarnath 3. [Kushinagar](https://primevaluetours.com/mahaparinirvana-temple-kushinagar/) Mahaparinirvana 4. [Shravasti (Jetavana)](https://primevaluetours.com/sravasti-jetavana/) 24 rains retreats 5. [Kaushambi](https://primevaluetours.com/kaushambi-buddhist-site/) Ghositarama monastery 6. [Sankisa](https://primevaluetours.com/sankisa-buddhist-site/) descent from Tavatimsa heaven### Distances between places in the Uttar Pradesh sector| From | To | Approx. road distance | Drive time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Varanasi airport | Sarnath | 30 km | 1 hr | | Varanasi city | Sarnath (Dhamek Stupa) | 10 km | 30 min | | Sarnath | Kushinagar | 260 km | 6–7 hrs | | Kushinagar | Shravasti | 250 km | 6 hrs | | Shravasti | Lucknow airport | 170 km | 4 hrs | | Varanasi | Kaushambi | 180 km | 4 hrs | | Agra | Sankisa | 175 km | 4 hrs |**Tip:** Start in Varanasi for Sarnath, then drive to Kushinagar. Shravasti fits best between Lumbini and Lucknow.## Central India & Maharashtra sector: Sanchi, Ajanta and ElloraGreat stupas and rock-cut caves from the 3rd century BCE to the 8th century CE. Best joined as a 7-day heritage tour.1. [Sanchi Stupa](https://primevaluetours.com/sanchi-stupa/) Ashoka’s Great Stupa, UNESCO 2. [Vidisha](https://primevaluetours.com/vidisha-buddhist-heritage/) home of Ashoka’s queen Devi 3. [Bharhut Stupa](https://primevaluetours.com/bharhut-stupa/) early Jataka carvings 4. [Bagh Caves](https://primevaluetours.com/bagh-caves/) Gupta-era murals 5. [Ajanta Caves](https://primevaluetours.com/ajanta-caves/) painted caves, UNESCO 6. [Ellora Buddhist Caves](https://primevaluetours.com/ellora-buddhist-caves/) caves 1–12, UNESCO 7. [Pandav Leni (Nashik)](https://primevaluetours.com/pandav-leni-nashik-caves/) Hinayana viharas 8. [Kanheri Caves](https://primevaluetours.com/kanheri-caves/) 109 caves in Mumbai 9. [Karla Caves](https://primevaluetours.com/karla-caves/) largest chaitya hall 10. [Bhaja Caves](https://primevaluetours.com/bhaja-caves/) 2nd century BCE chaitya### Distances between places in the Central India & Maharashtra sector| From | To | Approx. road distance | Drive time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Bhopal | Sanchi Stupa | 46 km | 1 hr | | Sanchi | Vidisha | 10 km | 20 min | | Satna | Bharhut Stupa | 16 km | 30 min | | Indore | Bagh Caves | 150 km | 3.5 hrs | | Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) | Ellora Caves | 30 km | 45 min | | Aurangabad | Ajanta Caves | 105 km | 2.5 hrs | | Aurangabad | Pandav Leni (Nashik) | 190 km | 4 hrs | | Nashik | Kanheri Caves (Mumbai) | 165 km | 4 hrs | | Mumbai | Karla Caves | 95 km | 2 hrs | | Karla Caves | Bhaja Caves | 8 km | 20 min |**Tip:** Stay in Aurangabad for Ajanta and Ellora (one day each). Karla and Bhaja fit in a half day on the Mumbai–Pune road.## Odisha & South India sector: Diamond Triangle and AmaravatiAshoka’s Kalinga, the Odisha Diamond Triangle and the great stupas of the Krishna valley.1. [Dhauli Shanti Stupa](https://primevaluetours.com/dhauli-shanti-stupa/) Kalinga war, Ashoka edict 2. [Ratnagiri](https://primevaluetours.com/ratnagiri-odisha-buddhist-site/) Diamond Triangle 3. [Udayagiri](https://primevaluetours.com/udayagiri-odisha-buddhist-site/) Diamond Triangle 4. [Lalitgiri](https://primevaluetours.com/lalitgiri/) relic casket found 5. [Amaravati](https://primevaluetours.com/amaravati-buddhist-site/) Mahachaitya stupa 6. [Nagarjunakonda](https://primevaluetours.com/nagarjunakonda/) island museum 7. [Sannati (Kanaganahalli)](https://primevaluetours.com/sannati-kanaganahalli/) Ashoka portrait panel 8. [Maski Ashoka Edict](https://primevaluetours.com/maski-ashoka-edict/) edict naming “Ashoka” 9. [Kanchipuram](https://primevaluetours.com/kanchipuram-buddhist-heritage/) home of Bodhidharma### Distances between places in the Odisha & South India sector| From | To | Approx. road distance | Drive time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Bhubaneswar | Dhauli Shanti Stupa | 8 km | 20 min | | Bhubaneswar | Lalitgiri | 90 km | 2 hrs | | Lalitgiri | Udayagiri | 8 km | 20 min | | Udayagiri | Ratnagiri | 10 km | 20 min | | Vijayawada | Amaravati | 35 km | 1 hr | | Amaravati | Nagarjunakonda (via Nagarjuna Sagar) | 160 km + boat | 4 hrs + 1 hr boat | | Kalaburagi | Sannati (Kanaganahalli) | 60 km | 1.5 hrs | | Sannati | Maski | 200 km | 4.5 hrs | | Chennai | Kanchipuram | 75 km | 2 hrs |**Tip:** Dhauli and the Diamond Triangle (Lalitgiri, Udayagiri, Ratnagiri) fit in one long day from Bhubaneswar.## Himalayan sector: Ladakh, Spiti, Dharamshala, Sikkim and TawangLiving Vajrayana monasteries. Best visited May to September (Ladakh, Spiti) or March to May and October to November (Sikkim, Tawang).1. [Hemis Monastery](https://primevaluetours.com/hemis-monastery/) Ladakh, Hemis festival 2. [Thiksey Monastery](https://primevaluetours.com/thiksey-monastery/) Ladakh, Maitreya statue 3. [Diskit Monastery](https://primevaluetours.com/diskit-monastery/) Nubra Valley 4. [Alchi Monastery](https://primevaluetours.com/alchi-monastery/) 11th century murals 5. [Key Monastery](https://primevaluetours.com/key-monastery-spiti/) Spiti Valley 6. [Tabo Monastery](https://primevaluetours.com/tabo-monastery/) founded 996 CE 7. [Dharamshala (McLeod Ganj)](https://primevaluetours.com/dharamshala-mcleod-ganj-buddhist/) seat of the Dalai Lama 8. [Rumtek Monastery](https://primevaluetours.com/rumtek-monastery/) Sikkim, Karma Kagyu 9. [Tawang Monastery](https://primevaluetours.com/tawang-monastery/) largest in India### Distances between places in the Himalayan sector| From | To | Approx. road distance | Drive time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Leh | Thiksey Monastery | 19 km | 30 min | | Thiksey | Hemis Monastery | 26 km | 40 min | | Leh | Alchi Monastery | 65 km | 1.5 hrs | | Leh | Diskit (via Khardung La) | 120 km | 4 hrs | | Kaza | Key Monastery | 14 km | 30 min | | Kaza | Tabo Monastery | 47 km | 1.5 hrs | | Dharamshala airport (Gaggal) | McLeod Ganj | 22 km | 45 min | | Gangtok | Rumtek Monastery | 24 km | 1 hr | | Tezpur | Tawang Monastery | 320 km | 10–11 hrs |**Tip:** These are five separate regions. Plan each one (Ladakh, Spiti, Dharamshala, Sikkim, Tawang) as its own trip, and allow a day to adjust to the altitude in Leh and Kaza.## Distances on the Buddhist circuit map| From | To | Approx. road distance | Drive time | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Gaya airport | Bodh Gaya | 13 km | 30 min | | Bodh Gaya | Rajgir / Nalanda | 80 km | 2.5 hrs | | Bodh Gaya | Varanasi / Sarnath | 250 km | 5–6 hrs | | Varanasi | Kushinagar | 260 km | 6–7 hrs | | Kushinagar | Lumbini (Nepal) | 170 km | 4–5 hrs | | Lumbini | Shravasti | 250 km | 6–7 hrs |## Pilgrimage tours that follow this map- [Buddhist Circuit Tour from Bangkok](https://primevaluetours.com/buddhist-circuit-tour-india/) – Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Lumbini - [Complete Buddhist Circuit India & Nepal (10 Days)](https://primevaluetours.com/complete-buddhist-circuit-india-nepal-10-days/) - [Varanasi, Sarnath & Bodh Gaya (5 Days)](https://primevaluetours.com/varanasi-sarnath-bodh-gaya-tour-5-days/) - [Ajanta, Ellora & Sanchi Heritage Tour (7 Days)](https://primevaluetours.com/buddhist-heritage-tour-central-india-7-days/) - [Monk-Led Retreat, Bodh Gaya (8 Days)](https://primevaluetours.com/monk-led-meditation-retreat-bodh-gaya/) – meditation with a resident monk[Pilgrimage Tours](https://primevaluetours.com/packages/)## Buddhist pilgrimage map FAQWhere are the main Buddhist pilgrimage sites in India?The main sites are Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali in Bihar, and Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti and Sankisa in Uttar Pradesh. Lumbini, the birthplace, is just across the border in Nepal.What are the 4 holy places of Buddhism?Lumbini (birth), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first sermon) and Kushinagar (Mahaparinirvana). The Buddha himself named these four places for pilgrims to visit.How many days do I need for the Buddhist circuit?8 to 10 days covers the four holy places plus Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali. 12 days lets you add Shravasti and Kapilavastu at a calm pace.What is the best time to visit Buddhist pilgrimage sites?October to March is best for Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Lumbini: cool, dry weather and the main festival season in Bodh Gaya. Visit Ladakh and Spiti from May to September.Which airport is closest to Bodh Gaya?Gaya International Airport, 13 km away. It has seasonal direct flights from Bangkok, Yangon and Colombo, and daily flights from Delhi and Kolkata.Can I start the Buddhist circuit from Varanasi?Yes. Varanasi airport has flights from all major Indian cities, Sarnath is 10 km away, and Bodh Gaya and Kushinagar are each a day’s drive. Prime Value Tours is based in Varanasi.