Top 10 Must-Visit Buddhist Monasteries and Temples in India

India, a land of rich cultural and spiritual heritage, is home to numerous Buddhist monasteries and temples that attract devotees and tourists from around the world. These sacred sites offer a glimpse into the ancient traditions and teachings of Buddhism, as well as serene environments for meditation and reflection.

A Buddhist monastery (vihara) serves as a place where monks and nuns live, study, and practice Buddhism. These monasteries are not only centers of religious learning but also hubs of spiritual practice, offering tranquil spaces for meditation, prayer, and scriptural study. Many of them play a crucial role in preserving the rich traditions and cultural heritage of Buddhism.

Today, as we commemorate Buddha Jayanti—also known as Vesak or Buddha Purnima—it is the perfect time to visit these sacred Buddhist sites. Devotees gather at these monasteries and temples to offer flowers, incense, and candles, participate in meditation sessions, and listen to sermons on Buddha’s teachings. Here is a detailed look at the top ten most renowned Buddhist monasteries and temples in India, each with its own unique history and significance.

Top 10 Must-Visit Buddhist Monasteries and Temples in India

Top 10 Must-Visit Buddhist Monasteries and Temples in India- Detailed

1. Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya, Bihar

The Mahabodhi Temple, located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar, is one of the most sacred sites in Buddhism. It marks the location where Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. This temple complex, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, features an intricately carved tower and a descendant of the original Bodhi tree. Pilgrims from across the world visit this revered site to meditate and pay homage to Buddha.

Key Highlights:

• UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Houses the descendant of the Bodhi tree
• A center for meditation and religious rituals

2. Sarnath, Near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

Sarnath, located near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, is where Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The Dhamek Stupa, built by Emperor Ashoka, is one of the most prominent structures in this historical site.

Key Highlights:

• Houses the famous Dhamek Stupa
• Features the Sarnath Archaeological Museum with Buddhist relics
• A center for Buddhist teachings and meditation

3. Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh

Kushinagar, in Uttar Pradesh, is the place where Buddha attained Parinirvana (final nirvana after death). The Mahaparinirvana Temple, which houses a reclining Buddha statue, and the Ramabhar Stupa, believed to be Buddha’s cremation site, are key attractions here.

Key Highlights:

• Mahaparinirvana Temple with the reclining Buddha statue
• Ramabhar Stupa, marking Buddha’s cremation site
• One of the most significant Buddhist pilgrimage destinations

4. Nalanda University, Bihar

Nalanda, an ancient center of learning in Bihar, was one of the world’s first residential universities for Buddhist studies. Scholars from all over Asia once came here to study. Today, its ruins include stupas, monasteries, and temples that reflect the intellectual and spiritual legacy of Buddhism.

Key Highlights:

• One of the earliest universities in the world
• A UNESCO World Heritage Site
• Houses ancient Buddhist scriptures and relics

5. Rumtek Monastery, Sikkim

Situated near Gangtok, Sikkim, Rumtek Monastery is a key monastery in Tibetan Buddhism. Originally built in the 16th century and later reconstructed, it serves as the main seat of the Karma Kagyu lineage outside Tibet.

Key Highlights:

• Features a golden stupa
• Offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas
• A hub for Tibetan Buddhist studies

6. Hemis Monastery, Ladakh

Located in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Hemis Monastery is one of the largest and wealthiest Buddhist monasteries in India. Founded in the 17th century, it is famous for its annual Hemis festival, celebrating the birth of Guru Padmasambhava.

Key Highlights:

• Hosts the Hemis Festival with masked dances and music
• Features stunning Tibetan architecture
• One of the richest monasteries in India

7. Tawang Monastery, Arunachal Pradesh

Located in Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world. Established in the 17th century, it is an important center for Mahayana Buddhism.

Key Highlights:

• Features a three-story main assembly hall
• Houses ancient Buddhist scriptures
• Surrounded by stunning mountain scenery

8. Mindrolling Monastery, Dehradun, Uttarakhand

Founded in 1965, Mindrolling Monastery in Dehradun is one of the six major monasteries of the Nyingma School of Tibetan Buddhism.

Key Highlights:

• Home to the Great Stupa, one of the largest stupas in India
• Features beautiful Buddhist murals and gardens
• A major Buddhist learning center

9. Thiksey Monastery, Ladakh

Located near Leh, Ladakh, Thiksey Monastery is a stunning multi-tiered complex that resembles the Potala Palace in Tibet. Established in the 15th century, it belongs to the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.

Key Highlights:

• Houses a large Maitreya Buddha statue
• Offers breathtaking views of Ladakh
• Features an extensive collection of Buddhist manuscripts

10. Dharmarajika Stupa, Sanchi, Madhya Pradesh

Part of the Sanchi Stupa complex, the Dharmarajika Stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE. This site is one of the oldest Buddhist archaeological sites in India.

Key Highlights:

• Houses ancient Buddhist carvings
• A UNESCO World Heritage Site
• One of the earliest examples of Buddhist architecture