The Barhut Stupa, which was established by the great Indian emperor Ashoka, who had turned a Buddhist in the later years of his life, symbolises the relation of classical Mauryan architecture with that of Buddhism. Built in the 3rd century BCE, later the stupa was renovated by the Sunga rulers, who also added to its work of art in the 2nd century BCE. The Barhut stupa comprises numerous stories related to reincarnations of the Buddha, in which He has been represented through symbols such as the Bodhi tree, footprints, empty seat and wheel of dharma. A unique example of the early Buddhist art, the stupa is frequently visited by the Buddhists.

Barhut(Satna)
Barhut is a small place in the Satna district(14 kilometers) of Madhya Pradesh in Central India. EArlier a part of the Rewa princely state, Barhut, today is mainly famous for its Buddhist stupa.

Other Attractions
Chitrakoot, which is at a distance of 80 kilometers from Satna, is a major tourist destination near Barhut. Chitrakoot, home to many temples, is believed to be the place where the Hindu deity Rama, His wife Sita and His brother Lakshmana spent years of exile from Ayodhya.

Location and Accessibility
The best way to reach Barhut is via Satna, the district where Barhut lies. The distance between Satna and Barhut is 14 kilometers which can be covered by a bus or a private taxi. Satna is a very important railway station in Madhya Pradesh, and is well connected by trains on the Mumbai-Howrah train route. Satna lies on the National Highway No.7 through Maihar-Amarpathan and on the State Highway through Chhatarpur-Rewa subsequently. But, if one wants to opt for the airways, the nearest airport is at Khajuraho, 130 kilometers from Satna.

Best Time To Visit
Though the Barhut stupa can be seen throughout the year, but the ideal months to visit the place would be during October to February.

Kushan Sites : Taxila, Harwan

The Kushanas, who originally hailed from China, conquered the flourishing city of Taxila including the whole of the Gandhar region in the later period of the 4th century BCE and continued with their regime till 230 BCE. The Kushanas were liberal enough to encourage the Indian art along with the state religion Buddhism. In the 'golden age' of Taxila, Kushanas not only supported Buddhism but also built numerous temples and monasteries in and around Taxila. Unfortunately, the invasion of the Sassanian rulers on Gandhara though ended the Kushana's rule in 230 BCE, but the later also protected Buddhism alike their predecessor till the invasion of the White Huns on Taxila in the 5th century CE, who plundered the city and destroyed the monasteries, temples and viharas of Taxila.

Taxila
The ancient city of Taxila, which saw many rulers invading and conquering over this place - Greeks, Scythians, Parthians, and Kushanas due to its strategic location in southern and central Asia, is a major historical destination in Pakistan. A home to the ruins of shrines, temples, monasteries and ancient cities, Taxila has still much to provide to everybody - from an archaeologist to a tourist.

Location and Accessibility
Taxila in Pakistan, which is at a distance of 35 kilometers from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan and 32 kilometers north west of Rawalpindi, is easily accessible by air, rail and road. The Islamabad airport(International airport) and the Rawalpindi airport(Domestic airport) can be reached by all major cities. Taxila has a small railway station so the best deal would be to take a train to Rawalpindi. Taxila can also be reached by buses, coaches and private taxis.

Best Time To Visit
The best months to visit Taxila are from October to February.

Rock-cut carvings, Bhagalpur region

The rock cut carvings, which dates back to the fine Gupta period (5th-7th Century CE) depict a variety of deities - not only the Buddha but several Hindu and Jain deities as well. These artistic etchings have been excavated from Sultanganj and Kahalgaon in the Bhagalpur region of Bihar.

Bhagalpur
Situated in the south-western part of Bihar, Bhalgalpur is one of the major cities of the state. The historical evidences suggest that the modern city of Bhagalpur was Champavati of the 5th century BCE, the capital of Anga, one of 16 Mahajanapadas. It is believed that emperor Ashoka's mother, Subhadrangi belonged to Bhagalpur(Champa) and he had made his son Mahendra the governor of this provincial city. Lord Buddha also visited Champa, where a large number of people became His followers. The Buddha offered several sermons here, including one charity. It was here that the Buddha was compelled to prescribe the use of slippers by the monks. The Chinese traveller on his way to home also visited Champa(He referred Chen-Po) and mentioned in his accounts various Stupas, Viharas and Buddhist monks.

The golden image of Champavati was maintained in the early medieval period even during the reign of the Palas, who strengthened Buddhism along with their contribution in the fields of art and culture. The glorious days of Bhagalpur remained only till the first half of the 18th century CE when it was made a small province by the Britishers, however it started recovering after the British departure in 1947, and today it is better know as a lively and prosperous 'Silk City'.

Location and Accessibility
Bhagalpur can be reached by all means of communication and transport. One can take up a ship or boat from Patna(Bihar's capital) in the river Ganges to reach Bhagalpur, which is situated on the banks of the river Ganges. The Bhagalpur airport is also connected to other major cities. Road is another way to reach Bhagalpur as the city is connected with other parts by a good and proper road network, facilitated by a long bridge over the holy river Ganges. The Bhagalpur railway station is connected to all other major cities of India.

Best Time To Visit
The best months to visit Bhagalpur are from October to March.

Pithalkhora, Maharashtra

Pithalkhora, located in Gautala sanctuary on the Satmala hills, has numerous Buddhist caves, which dates back from the 2nd century BCE to 1st century CE. Situated at a distance of 40 kilometers northwest of Ellora caves and 78 kilometers from Aurangabad, the Pithalkhora caves are a unique combination of temples and monasteries. The caves, which comprises mainly viharas, are the largest structures related to the early Theravadin sect of Buddhism.

Aurangabad
Named after the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, Aurangabad is situated along the right bank of river Kham in Maharashtra. One of the major cities of Maharashtra, Aurangabad is a gateway to several Buddhist sites such as Ajanta, Ellora and Pithalkhora(78 kilometers).

Location and Accessibility
To reach Pithalkhora, the best way is to land up in Aurangabad, which is at a distance of 78 kilometers from Aurangabad. One of the major cities of Maharashtra, Aurangabad is easily accessible by air, rail and road. While the Aurangabad airport only entertains the domestic flights, one can take up an International flight to Mumbai(388 kilometers). Aurangabad is directly connected by rail to other major Indian cities such as Mumbai, Secundarabad, Nasik and others via Manmad. A good and proper road network also connects Aurangabad to other important cities. From Aurangabad, one can hire a taxi to reach Pithalkhora.

Buddhist Temples in India

Maha Bodhi Temple, Bihar | Maha Bodhi Tree, Bihar | Sanchi Stupa, Madhya Pradesh Amravati Stupa, Andhra Pradesh | Barhut Stupa, Madhya Pradesh Kushan Sites : Taxila, Harwan | Rock- Cut Carvings, Bhagalpur region Pithalkhora, Maharashtra | Sirpur Temple, Chattisgarh Hirapur Temple, Orissa | Langudi Temple, Orissa | Itanagar Buddhist Temple Animeshlocan Chaiyata Temple, Bihar | Ratnagar Temple, Bihar Archaeological Nalanda Museum, Bihar | Dhamek Stupa, Uttar Pradesh Dharmarajika Stupa, Uttar Pradesh | Archaeological Museum of Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh Shanti Stupa, Jammu & Kashmir