Pilgrimages in India - Ki (Kye) Monastery

Himachal Pradesh is a state of high mountains and beautiful valleys. Its mountains are snow covered its lake crystal blue and its valleys filled with fruits, flowers and pine and deodar forests. This land of the Gods is particularly influenced by Lord Shiva, Durga and Buddha along with numerous Rishi's and other gods of the Hindu religion. You can find the Shikara, Pagoda, and Mandap, Flat-roofed, Gompa and Cave styles of temples. The monasteries with their Gompas that are found here are both old and new. One among the various beautiful monastries is 'Ki (Kye) Monastery'.

Ki (Kye) Monastery
The 'Ki (Kye) Monastery' serves the western part of Spiti and the most prominent feature of the valley. It lies about 14-kms north of Kaza and holds the honor of being the oldest and biggest monastery of Spiti. 

It is a well-known religious training center for the Lamas, whom one will find dancing, singing and playing on their pipes and horns. One will also find murals, books, scriptures and paintings of Buddha and other Goddesses. 
This monastery is an outstanding example of the monastic architecture, which developed during the 14th century in the wake of the Chinese influence. The Mongols plundered the monastery in the middle of the 17th century. In the 19th century, it again suffered three brutal attacks. The successive trails of destruction and patch-up jobs have resulted in a haphazard growth of box-like structures, and the complex now resembles a defensive fort.

Pilgrimages in India - Sarnath

Situated 10 km from Varanasi is the site where Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, preaching the middle path for attaining 'Nirvana'. Realising the sanctity of the site, emperor Ashoka, in the 3rd century B.C. built some of the finest monuments and legacies.

Set in well maintained gardens Sarnath's ruins are a pleasant place to stroll amongst or meditate in. The main things to see are Asoka's pillar, the ruins of the Mulagandhakuti and the huge Dharmek Stupa. Further to the east is the modern Mulagandhakuti Vihara with its beautiful wall paintings and behind it the Deer Park. The Sarnath Museum houses some of the greatest treasures of Indian Buddhist art and should not be missed. Asoka's lion capital and the beautiful Teaching Buddha are amongst the most beautiful sculptures ever made.

History
The earliest remains here at Sarnath are from the Mauryan period ascribed to Emperor Ashoka the great. The Lion Capital is the national emblem of India. The Dharmarajika Stupa was built by Ashoka, and it was expanded and enlarged several times upto the 12th century CE. The structures here were destroyed by repeated invasions - and by gradual neglect - and what are seen today are the results of repeated reconstruction efforts. The Dhamekh stupa is a cylindrical tower, 143 feet high, and 93 feet high. The stones in each layer were bound together by iron clamps. This tower dates back to the Gupta period. The Chinese traveller Hsuen Tsang who visited India in the 7th century CE, speaks of the glory of Sarnath and of the structures that existed then.

Pilgrimage Attractions at Sarnath

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  Dhamekha Stupa
  This is the most conspicuous structure at Sarnath. Colonel Cunningham bore a shaft from the top centre of the stupa and discovered a stone tablet on which an inscription is written with the word Dhamekha, and mentions that this is the spot where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. Dhamekha seems to be a distorted form of Dharma Chakra which means turning the wheel of the Dharma. It is also said that at this spot the five ascetics who left Gautama Buddha in Bodh Gaya used to live in huts. The original stupa was constructed by Ashoka. The present size of the stupa is 31.3 m high and 28.3 m in diameter. The lower portion of the stupa is covered completely with beautifully carved stones.
  
  The Dhamekha stupa is considered to be the sacred place where the voice of Buddhism was first heard. Many dignitaries of Buddhist countries visit this place for circumambulation of this sacred stupa and to worship the Buddha. Tibetans Buddhist circumambulate it chanting the mantra 'Om mani padme hum'. The first discourse of the Buddha was on the 'Wheel of Law'. The wheel symbolises samsara (world), the eternal round of existence which goes on and on, life after life because of ceaseless cravings and desire.

• Choukhandi' Stupa
  Raised by Mughal Emperor Akbar in 1555 A.D., it is believed to be the place where Buddha met his five disciples. The majestic Ashoka pillar records visit of emperor Ashoka to Sarnath. It was originally adorned by a capital of four lions, now housed in the Sarnath museum. The capital became the state emblem of modern India.
• The Digambara Jain Temple
  The Digambara Jain temple, southwest of the Dhamekh Stupa, built in 1824, is said to be where Shreyanshnath, the 11th Jain tirthankara was born. Inside the temple are good frescoes, which depict the life of Mahavir, the founder of the present day Jain religion.
• Buddhist Temples
  The Mulagandhakuti Vihara is a modern temple built by the Mahabodhi Society in 1931. The silver casket in the temple is said to have the original relics of the Buddha in it. It was recovered from the ruins of the first century temple. The temple has interesting murals depicting the life story of Buddha. The murals were painted by a well-known Japanese artist, Kosetsu Nosu, in 1936. Outside the temple is a bo tree transplanted from Sri Lanka. It is said to be a descendant of the original tree under which Buddha sat when he attained enlightenment. There is a collection of rare Buddhist literature here.

Festivals
The full moon day of Vaisakha (April-May) is observed as the anniversary of Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and death. The full moon in the month of Asadh (July-August) is considered the anniversary of his first sermon.

How to get there

• Air
  Varanasi (Babatpur) Airport is the nearest airport. Commercial flights connect Varanasi to Kathmandu, Delhi , Agra and Mumbai.
• Rail
  Varanasi railway station is well connected to important cities.
• Road
  It is located on the National Highway No. 29 that also connects Varanasi and Gorakhpur.

Shravasti (The city where the Buddha spent his last twenty years)

Modern day - Shravasti or Saheth Maheth, about 17 kilometers from Balrumpur) was the capital of Kosala, was said to have derived its name from the fact that everything was available there (sabbam atthi). It was indeed one of the wealthiest and most vibrant cities in the Middle Land. The Buddha visited Savatthi several times before finally making it his headquarters in the twentieth year of his enlightenment. From then on, he spent every rains retreat except his last in the environs of the city. The Buddha had probably decided to limit his wanderings at this time due to advancing age (he was fifty-six) and he no doubt chose Savatthi as his base because of the generous support given to him by the city's wealthiest merchants.

In is here Savatthi, that one of the most famous Buddhist site, Prince Jeta's grove at Anatthapindika's Park is located. Many famous suttas were delivered here. Amongst them were the Mangala Sutta, the Metta Sutta etc. It was also in this city that the Buddha converted the notorious robber Angulimala.

History
While in Rajgir the wealthy businessman Anathapindika first met the Buddha and invited him to come to Savatthi. The Buddha said he would be happy to come but asked that suitable accommodation be provided. When Anathapindika returned to Savatthi he purchased a park near the town and built a large monastery on in. Called Jetavana, this park became the Buddha's favourite resort and he spent every rainy season of the last 20 years of his life except one there.

Attractions of Shravasti 
Today the ruins of Jetavana's many monasteries are set in attractive and peaceful gardens. The Buddha delivered more discourses here than in any other place so if you wish to read some while you are you have plenty to choose from. Recommended ones are the Kakacupama Sutta, the Vimamsaka Sutta and or the Angulimala Sutta, all of them from The Middle Length Discourses. There are plenty of Buddhist temples near the ruins that offer accommodation. Perhaps the best is the Sri Lankan temple right next to the main gate. Don't miss the paintings in the main shrine.

Pilgrimages in India - Vaishali

Vaishali was one of the Buddha's favourite resorts and he visited it on several occasions It was here that he had his famous encounter with the prostitute Ambapali, the incident is recounted in the Mahaparinibbana Sutta in The Long Discourses. Another discourse he delivered here is the long but interesting Mahasihanada Sutta from The Middle Length Discourses. According to the Mahayana tradition the famous Vimalakirtinedesa Sutra was preached here too.

About a hundred years after the Buddha's Parinirvana the city was the venue for the Second Council where hundreds of monks from all over northern India met together to sell settle a dispute about Vinaya rules and to chant the suttas together. The main things to see today are the famous lion pillar, the museum, the large Kharauna Lake, the Japanese temple and the stupa built over the Vijjians' one eighth share of the Buddha's ashes.

Location
Vaishali is situated in the eastern Indian state of Bihar, around 55 km off Patna, the capital of the state. Vaishali extends from latitude 25° in the North to longitude 85° in the East. The town, an important place for both the Buddhists and Jains, is well connected to other important cities in Bihar by road.

History
Believed to be the first republic in the world, Vaishali has taken its name from King Vishal of the Mahabharat age. He is said to have constructed a great fort here, which is now in ruins. Vaishali is a great Buddhist pilgrimage and also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. It is said that the Buddha visited this place thrice and spent quite a long time here. The Buddha also delivered his last sermon at Vaishali and announced his Nirvana here. After his death, Vaishali also held the second Buddhist Council.

The great Lichchavi clan ruled Vaishali in the sixth century BC, and the empire extended up to the hills of Nepal. The Lichchavi state is considered to be the first republican state of Asia. According to the Jataka stories, (Buddhist story books giving the account of different births of the Buddha), Vaishali was ruled by some 7707 kings of the Lichchavi clan. Ajatshatru, the great Magadh King, annexed Vaishali in the fifth century BC and after that Vaishali gradually lost its glory and power.

Pilgriamge Attractions of Vaishali

• Ashoka Pillar
  The Lion Pillar at Kolhua, was built by Emperor Ashoka. It is made of a highly polished single piece of red sandstone, surmounted by a bell shaped capital, 18.3 m.high. A life-size figure of a lion is placed on top of the pillar. There is a small tank here known as Ramkund.
• Bawan Pokhar Temple
  An old temple built in the Pala period stands on the northern bank of a tank known as Bawan Pokhar and enshrines beautiful images of several Hindu gods.
  
  • Buddha Stupa - 1 
    The exterior of this stupa which is now in a dilapidated condition has a plain surface. One-eighth of the sacred ashes of the Lord Buddha were enshrined here in a stone casket.
  • Buddha Stupa - II
    Excavation at this site in 1958 led to the discovery of another casket containing the ashes of the Lord Buddha.
  • Shanti Stupa 
    On the south bank of the Coronation Tank built by Buddh Vihar Society.
  • Kundupur ( Birth Place of Lord Mahavira )
    4 kms. It is believed that the Jain Tirthankar, Lord Mahavira was born over 2550 years ago. Mahavir is said to have spent the first 22 years of his life here.
• Coronation Tank
  Coronation Tank or Abhishekh Pushkarni, its water were believed to be sacred in the old days and all of Vaishali's elected representatives were anointed here before their swearing in.

Other Places of Pilgrimage
Chaumukhi Mahadeva, Harikatora Temple, Lotus Tank and Miranji-Ki-Dargah,Jain Temple etc.

Other Attractions

• Vaishali Mahotsava
  Vaishali Mahotsava is held to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Jain Thirankar, Lord Mahavir on the full moon day of the month of "Vaishakh" (mid-April).
• Arts and Crafts
  Several villages around Vaishali make delightful home made clay toys.
• Sikki Work
  The humble blade of grass is hand-woven into delightful baskets and mats. Lac Bangles. These hand made Lac Bangles from nearby city Muzaffarpur.

How to reach there

• Air
  The nearest Airport is Patna (56 kms.)
• Rail
  Hazipur on the north eastern railway is the nearest railway station 35 kms.
• Road
  Vaishali is well connected by road to Patna (56 kms.), Muzaffarpur (36 kms.) and Hazipur (35 kms.)

Pilgrimages in India - Hemis

Situated at a distance of around 40 km southeast of Leh, Hemis is located in the Ladakh division of the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. It takes its name from the world famous Buddhist Gompa situated here.
The Hemis monastery was established in 1672 AD by the then king Senge Nampar Gyalva. Across the stillness of the wide expanse, the Hemis gompa stands upright built in Tibetan style, jutting out of the mountain top. The practices at the Hemis monastery are a direct lineal descent of the teachings expounded in the Mahayoga Tantra school, or the esoteric school of vajrayana.

Hemis Monastery simply conjures up an image of magnificent snow covered peaks, alpine green valleys and high altitude passes. It reflects the Buddhist culture and living life in harmony among such harsh climatic conditions of Ladakh. There are a number of shrines around this great courtyard, all of them of considerable interest.
Hemis, however, it best known to tourists because of its colorful festival held in July. At this time, monks perform their traditional dances to celebrate the birth anniversary of the monastery's founder, Padmasambhava. Its resident Lamas perform sacred masked dances leading to the destruction of the evil forces, & sacrificial offerings. The festival takes an auspicious turn every 12 years