Kushinagar : An ancient Buddhist city (Mahaparinirvana) !!

When I reached the city I can see monks everywhere like every other Buddhist sites.When I was entering towards campus of  the ‘Mahaparinirvana stupa ‘ the first thing that attracted me was this huge remains of an ancient city ,I saw huge blocks of constructions made up of the bricks of “terracotta” all around the stupa,this destructed sites always captivate a vast history and a long unhearded stories.Since that day we have found the sites of Harrapa and Mohanjodaro this terracotta bricks are guiding us towards deepth of our ancient history.It is believed that Ashoka found out this sacred place and he made the stupa and remaining construction which was later destructed and again rebuilt in Gupta Empire around 4th to 7th Century.This site was abandoned from 1200 CE because Buddhist monks fled to different countries because of Muslim invaders later Kushinagar site was rediscovered around 19th century.

Mahaparinirvana & Nirvana Stupa 

The sacred place where Gautam Buddha took last breath of his life. Inside the parinirvana stupa was a long statue of reclining Gautam Buddha around 6.10 m tall in Golden color made of sandstone ,this statue is around 1500 years old.

Just behind this stupa was the enclosed Nirvana chaitya which has no entrance like other stupa and it’s believed to be the main stupa.On the left side there was a bed like construction made up of bricks of terracotta as you can see in the pic below this is the place where Buddha was kept for the last time for one week before his cremation. I was trying to visualise the scene when he must have been kept here for his last sleep and his followers must have crowded the place all around.

A huge Stupa made up all of terracotta bricks ,it was looking like someone tried to destruct it too but still it was intact this was the exact place where Buddha was cremated after his death. There was gatherings of various small Buddhist followers groups of various country ,seating around the stupa passing his teachings in their native languages ,still one can sense the silence because of communication of peace doesn’t require any language.

I saw again some remains of destructed site in corner while on way to rambahar and a small building in centre ,when I reached there to found what it is ,it was closed but anyhow I managed to see inside through gate holes and I found out a big Buddha statue which was completely carved from a single block of stone ,it was really looking amazing and I was really depressed that why has ASI kept this historical statue in an ordinary abandoned like building, dissapointing to see but still it was one of my favourite spot here in kushinagar.

It’s was constructed as joint venture between India,Japan and Sri Lankan Buddhist associations.A huge dome shaped temple with a magnificent “Ashtdhaatu” statue of Buddha,and the most beautiful thing was pindrop silence inside the temple and beautiful design all around will surely make you awestruck.

A huge structure by Vietnam and China’s Buddhist association. The beauty lies all around the construction,all in their native designs it’s really catchy at every edge.The laughing Buddha ,the main statue Chinese God’s statues and those dragons designed all around really ,looks incredible and one of most visited spot of Kushinagar.

Wat-Thai temple ,Sun temple ,Kushinagar museum , Meditation centre and various other Temples and Buddhist religious centres made up by different Asian countries mainly Comprising of Japan, Sri Lanka,China,Vietnam, Tibet,Thailand,Bhutan,Burma.

It’s like India’s religious and cultural collaboration with different countries there are many beautiful structure which we can’t enter as local where maybe only Buddhist monks or there native country please are allowed

Kushinagar is all around a silent city,with a lot of positive vibes and peace all around.Like we Indians often say “Bhai aisi jagah thi ki lagega hi nahi tu India me he” it feels same here because you can find so many international visitors ,around the city,even the local storekeepers are mastered in various Asian languages.

Kushinagar is very soon to get a International airport which is almost finished and can be inaugurated anytime soon.Its one of the main four pilgrimage centre for Buddhism (Other three are Lumbini,Sarnath,Bodh Gaya)It’s really blessed to be here and I recommend these place in must visit list,to feel the serenity,rich cultural heritage and history of India.

~ Anurag Mishra