Popular Buddhist Temples in India
When we hear Buddhism, the first thing that comes to our mind is spirituality. Without a doubt, Buddhism is a religion that promotes peace and purity, and it is a thriving religion (the fourth largest religion in the world) that appeals to the youth due to its central teachings that teach nonviolence, truth, and a detachment from worldly materialistic pleasures.
There are many popular Buddhist temples in India. The culture and spirit of Buddhism can be found all around the country.
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Listed below are some of the popular Buddhist temples in India that are a must-see for everyone wanting to reconnect with their spiritual side to discover their purpose in life.
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Tawang Monastery, Tawang
Perched at the height of 3000m above sea level, Tawang Monastery, which is also called Golden Namgyal Lhatse regarded as the largest monastery in India. This 400-year-old monastery houses 17 gompas and 400 monks in the area.
The highlights of the monastery are its enormous 8-meter statue of Lord Buddha and the triple-storeyed building with colourful interiors. All the structures are built in the traditional style will definitely make you go crazy.
Best time to visit: March to September
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Namdroling Monastery, Karnataka
The Namdroling Monastery, often known as the "Golden Temple," is home to some outstanding examples of Tibetan architecture and art, as shown by the exquisite temple tower and decorative outside walls that are painted with lovely paintings.
The prominent attraction of the temple is there are two gold Buddha sculptures in this temple. It covers an area of 80 square feet and was constructed from bamboo that was given to the exiled Tibetans by the Indian government.
Best time to visit: June to March
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Thiksey Monastery, Leh
Thiksey Monastery is the largest monastery in the central Ladakh district. The monasteries which are arranged in a hierarchical manner are well-known for both their surroundings and their architecture.
Due to its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, the monastery is known as the "Mini Potala" of India. It is also well-known for its yearly Gustor Festival, which features a trade fair at the foot of the monastery when locals from all over Ladakh gather to barter, exchange goods, and socialize.
Best time to visit: May and September
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Mahaparinirvana Temple, Kushinagar
The Mahaparinirvana Temple is one of the holiest and most popular Buddhist temples in India. This temple, which was constructed in the traditional Buddhist manner, contains a 6-meter-long figure of Lord Buddha in nirvana.
According to the Brahmi inscription, the cremated bones of Buddha are interred here, making it a significant place of worship for Buddhists. As to legends, the summit of salvation is represented by it. After his death, Buddha entered the highest degree of salvation while sleeping.
Best time to visit: November to February.
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Ghum Monastery, Darjeeling
Located at an elevation of 8000 ft in Darjeeling, the Ghum Monastery is said to have the oldest ghoom Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It is part of the Yellow Hat sect known as Gelupka, which worships the "Coming Buddha" or "Maitreyi Buddha," which was built in 1850 by Lama Sherab Gyatso.
The local monks follow traditional Tibetan customs by flying prayer flags. Visitors can see images of various Buddha deities and lamas, including Tsongkhapa, and also a stunning vista of the Kanchenjunga mountain, which makes it one of the most popular Buddhist temples in the country.
Best time to visit: April to June
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Wat Thai Temple, Kushinagar
It is one of the most beautiful and most visited monasteries in Uttar Pradesh. The temple is renowned for its Thai-Buddhist architectural style developed by Thais to serve as a forest monastery. It is amidst the rich variety of flora, you can also find many different flowers, trees, and orchids
The temple is built to mark the golden jubilee of King Bhumibol’s accession to the throne. To celebrate this special event, it was constructed which is now a major tourist attraction.
Best time to visit: November to February
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Golden Pagoda Temple, Arunachal Pradesh
Built-in the Burmese Style, this mystical piece of the structure serves as the revered site of Buddha. It is known to have 12 domes which enhance its distinctiveness.
The notable feature of the Golden Pagoda Temple is the huge bronze statue of Lord Buddha, which was donated by the chief monk of Thailand. Another attraction is the water festival (Sangken) which is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm every year in April. It is one of the most popular Buddhist temples in India.
Best time to visit: April to June
