Kushinagar
Where the Buddha passed away, under twin sal trees
The Buddha made his final journey north from Rajgir through Vaishali and fell ill on the way. At Kushinagar, then a small town of the Malla people, he lay down between two sal trees and, after giving his last instructions to his followers, passed into parinirvana, the final release. It is one of the four principal places of Buddhist pilgrimage.
The site was forgotten for centuries until British archaeologists excavated it in the 19th century and found a large reclining Buddha in red sandstone, about 6 m long, dating from the 5th century. It now lies in the white Mahaparinirvana Temple, rebuilt in 1956 for the 2,500th anniversary of the Buddha's death, with a great stupa behind it. A kilometre and a half away, the Ramabhar stupa marks the cremation.
Kushinagar is a quiet town of monasteries built by Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and others, surrounded by sugarcane fields. Hotels are simple, comfortable pilgrim hotels rather than luxury, and we choose the best available. Most travellers stay one or two nights at the end of the circuit, before flying out from Gorakhpur or continuing to Lumbini in Nepal, about 4 to 5 hours away.
Highlights
What Kushinagar does best
A 5th-century sandstone image about 6 m long, showing the Buddha lying on his right side, lies in the Mahaparinirvana Temple. Pilgrims drape it in golden cloth and sit in silence around it.
A large brick stupa rises directly behind the temple, rebuilt in the 20th century over an ancient core. Pilgrims walk around it with flowers and incense, often in the late afternoon.
About 1.5 km east, this great brick mound marks the place where the Buddha's body was cremated. It stands in a quiet garden, and pilgrims circle it at dawn and dusk.
A small shrine with a large seated Buddha in black stone, from around the 10th or 11th century, marks the place where tradition says the Buddha gave his last teaching.
Thai, Burmese, Japanese, Sri Lankan and Vietnamese temples line the roads of Kushinagar, each with its own style. The Thai temple's gardens are among the most peaceful places in town.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Kushinagar
Gorakhpur airport (GOP), about 55 km and 1.5 hours away, has flights from Delhi and other cities. Kushinagar International Airport (KBK) opened in 2021 but has had limited and changing flights; check current status before you travel.
Gorakhpur Junction, about 55 km away, has trains to Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi and Kolkata. Winter fog can delay trains.
From Vaishali via Kesaria the drive is about 200 km and 5 hours. Varanasi is about 270 km and 6 hours, and Lumbini in Nepal about 170 km and 4 to 5 hours, including the border.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
Kushinagar has no luxury hotels, and we prefer to be honest about that. The town's better hotels are comfortable pilgrim hotels near the temples, several run with Japanese and Thai groups in mind, with clean rooms and simple restaurants. We choose the best available for each season and add a night in Lucknow or at a Varanasi palace hotel when the journey allows. Some travellers stay at monastery guesthouses for the atmosphere.
From our planners
Five things to know
- Visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple in the late afternoon and again at dawn, when it is quietest.
- Dress modestly and remove shoes in temples; carry socks for cold stone in winter.
- Gorakhpur airport is the reliable exit; Kushinagar's own airport schedules change often.
- Fog from mid-December to January can delay morning departures from Gorakhpur; allow buffer time.
- Bring cash for small donations and offerings, as card machines are rare outside hotels.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Kushinagar
Why is Kushinagar important?
Kushinagar is where the Buddha passed into parinirvana, his final release, at about the age of eighty. It is one of the four principal Buddhist pilgrimage sites, with Lumbini, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath. The Mahaparinirvana Temple and the Ramabhar cremation stupa mark the key places.
How many days do I need in Kushinagar?
One or two nights. One night allows the temple at sunset, Ramabhar stupa and a dawn visit before departing. Two nights give time for the monasteries, Mathakuar shrine and a quiet day of meditation, which many pilgrims value at the end of the circuit.
How do I get to Kushinagar?
Fly to Gorakhpur, about 55 km and 1.5 hours away, or drive from Varanasi, about 270 km and 6 hours. On a Buddhist circuit, most travellers arrive from Vaishali via Kesaria, about 200 km. Kushinagar's own airport has had limited flights; check current status before you travel.
Are there luxury hotels in Kushinagar?
No. Kushinagar has comfortable pilgrim hotels, some built with Japanese and Thai groups in mind, with clean rooms and simple restaurants. We choose the best available and are honest about standards. The nearest luxury hotels are in Lucknow and Varanasi.
Can I go from Kushinagar to Lumbini?
Yes. Lumbini, the Buddha's birthplace in Nepal, is about 170 km away, 4 to 5 hours by road including the border crossing at Sonauli. Visa rules apply for Nepal. Our UP and Bihar circuit stays in India, but we can extend a journey to Lumbini on request.
When is the best time to visit Kushinagar?
October to March. Days are mild, though December and January bring fog and cold mornings. Buddha Purnima, in April or May, brings ceremonies and pilgrims but hot weather. Summer is very hot, and the monsoon from July to September is humid.
Is Kushinagar suitable for non-Buddhist travellers?
Yes. Many visitors who are not Buddhist find Kushinagar moving for its calm and its story. The temples and stupas are open to all. Dress modestly, remove shoes in shrines and respect pilgrims at prayer. A guide helps explain the history and practice.
How do I get from Kushinagar to Varanasi?
By road, about 270 km and 6 hours, or by train from Gorakhpur to Varanasi in about 5 to 6 hours. Flights from Gorakhpur go mainly to Delhi and other major cities, so for international departures most travellers fly Gorakhpur to Delhi.
What else is near Kushinagar?
Gorakhpur, 55 km away, is known for the Gorakhnath Temple and the Gita Press. Kesaria and Vaishali lie to the south-east on the way from Bihar. Lumbini in Nepal is about 4 to 5 hours north-west. Most travellers combine Kushinagar with these on a Buddhist circuit.
Journeys
Routes that stop in Kushinagar
Nearby
Pair it with
An early republic, Ashoka's lion pillar and the Buddha's last sermon
Dawn boats, evening aarti and the oldest lanes on the Ganges
Where the Buddha gave his first sermon, 10 km from Varanasi
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