Sacred Places of The Buddhists (6)

Kushinagar (Kusinara), Uttar Pradesh, India

A documentary film by BOGDAN-FLORIN PAUL | JANUARY 12, 2026

The ancient Kusinārā, currently Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, India, is one of the four main pilgrimage sites for Buddhists.

It is the place where, in about 543 B.C.E., Siddhartha Gautama, The Buddha, attained Parinirvana, leaving forever Samsara, the cycle of death and rebirth.

Currently in Kushinagar this important location is marked by an archaeological complex which includes The Parinirvana Stupa and The Parinirvana Temple, housing a 16 centuries old statue of the Buddha.

In Kushinagar there is also a second archaeological area, located about 1.5 km away from the Parinirvana Stupa, where pilgrims can visit the Ramabhar Stupa, the stupa marking the cremation place of the Buddha's body.

Watch this episode of the documentary film "Sacred Places of The Buddhists" to see what Kusinārā looks like today and to learn more about the unique history of this place.

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