Stupa in India or in the world they have unique construction and architecture and depict the diversity of religions. India has a unique heritage and culture and these stupas in India depict the Buddhist faith in India over many centuries. Buddhism has its roots in India and has originated in 2000 B.C. Most of these stupas are a few centuries old and these stupas in India have been built to honor Lord Buddha and his teachings. Here is a list of top 30 Buddhist stupas in India, their architecture and history.
List Of Top 30 Stupas In India
Located in Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh, this is one of the popular stupas in India where numerous tourists and pilgrims visit. Situated on the banks of River Krishna, there are many relics and stunning architecture. Amaravati stupa is a 2000-year-old stupa and is also known as the Mahastupa. It was built by a representative of Emperor Ashoka. It depicts the Mauryan architecture style of construction and has teachings of Vajrayana. There are many carvings and sculptures inside the stupa that depict the life of Lord Buddha.
Amaravathi Road, Amaravathi, Andhra Pradesh 522020
Bharhut Stupa is located in Madhya Pradesh and was built in 150 B.C. Alexander Cunningham discovered this site in the 18th century. Bharhut stupa is made in deep red sandstone and some of the carvings of this stupa are displayed in a museum in Kolkata. The construction of this stupa was started by Emperor Ashoka and later completed by Sungas. It depicts Buddhist symbolism.
Dewar, Madhya Pradesh 485001
Sarnath Stupa is located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. This is one of the important holy places for Buddhists. Sarnath stupa is the first place where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. Inside Sarnath, there are many stupas namely Dhamekh Sarnath Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, and Dharmarajika Stupa. These stupas were built between 3rd century and 12th century A.D. There are sculptures, carvings, and inscriptions inside this stupa.
Dharmapala Rd, Singhpur, Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221007
Bavikonda stupa is located 16 km from Visakhapatnam. It was built during 3rd century BCE. Bavikonda means ‘hill of wells.’ Excavated on this site are very large Buddhist complexes, pottery, inscriptions, tiles, bricks, relic caskets, coins, artifacts, and a bone that has been stored inside an urn for many centuries. This site depicts Buddhist civilization.
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
At Sarnath in Varanasi is located the Chaukhandi Stupa. This is an ancient burial mound. It lies in ruins and was built during 4th and 6th century when Gupta dynasty reigned the region. Chaukhandi Stupa is the site where Lord Buddha gave sermons to 5 ascetics who became his disciples. It is surrounded by lush green gardens, monasteries, and museums.
Rishpattan Rd, Near, Sarnath, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221007
Buddhists from all over the world visit Ramabhar stupa site as it is one of the most sacred pilgrimages for Buddhists. This is the place where Lord Buddha was cremated in 483 B.C. Ramabhar stupa was built by the Malla kings in Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. This stupa is constructed like a large dome and is built with bricks. There are many remnants from the ruins of this ancient site that have been stored at this location.
Anrudhwa, Uttar Pradesh 274402
The Kesaria stupa was constructed between 200 A.D and 750 A.D. It is located 55 km from Vaishali in the Bihar state of India. This is the place where he spent the last few days of his journey before attaining nirvana. Kesaria stupa is the largest stupas in the world with a circumference of 1400 feet.
Kesariya Road, Tajpur Deur, Bihar 845424
This Animesh Lochan stupa is the UNESCO world heritage site and was built by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd century BCE. This is a temple complex where lush gardens have been added later. Animesh Lochan stupa is located in Bodh Gaya in Bihar. This is the place where Lord Buddha viewed the silent stare before receiving enlightenment. Animesh Lochan means unblinking eyes as it is said that Lord Buddha stared at the Bodhi tree for 7 days without blinking his eyes. There are many tourist sites within this complex that you can visit to see the spots where Lord Buddha spent his time after attaining enlightenment.
Bodh Gaya, Bihar
Anathapindika was a disciple of Lord Buddha who built Anathapindika stupa. It is located in Uttar Pradesh in Shravasti. Anathapindika was a rich businessman and also a patron of Lord Buddha. He bought this site from Prince Jeta, who was the son of King Prasenjit. Anathapindika was known for his kindness and generosity. He gave 1.8 million gold pieces to purchase this land on which site this Anathapindika stupa has been built.
Shravasti was a city that was built for the Lava, the son of Lord Rama. Lord Buddha spent a lot of time at this town at the Jetavana Monastery. As per the Mahabharata and Ramayana, this is a blessed town where sages meditated and Lord Rama’s sons ruled this place. Angulimala was a dacoit who would chop the fingers of the victims and wear them as a necklace. He was about to kill his mother one day when Lord Buddha turned him into a disciple and showed him the path of knowledge and humanity. Since then he spent his time in public service and built Angulimala stupa. It is located in Uttar Pradesh.
This is a 2400-year-old stupa that is located in Adurru, Andhra Pradesh. The Adurru Buddhist stupa is located on the banks of river Godavari. Sangamitra, the daughter of Emperor Ashoka lay the foundation stone of this stupa. This Adurru stupa was built in the design of a giant wheel. The platform of this stupa is 17 feet in diameter.
Located at Thotlakonda in Andhra Pradesh, Maha stupa is a rock-cut stupa built on a hilltop. This region falls in the ancient Kalinga region and has Sri Lankan Buddhist influence in its architecture and design. From excavations, Roman coins, Brahmi inscriptions, and was known to be a landmark for nautical commuters. Hinayana Buddhism was practiced at this Maha Stupa.
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh 530048
Shanti Stupa is also known as a Peace Pagoda and has been built on the ancient Kalinga War site. It is located in Dhauli Giri in Odisha. Inside the Shanti Stupa, there is a gallery of rock-cut sculptures, pillars, and many other items on display. There are stone panels on top of the dome that represent elephant procession, footprints of Lord Buddha, chakra, and bodhi tree.
Bhubaneswar, Odisha 752104
This Shanti stupa was built by the Japanese monks in the 19th century. It is located on a hilltop in Leh. Shanti Stupa was built to promote world peace and to mark the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism. This stupa has beautiful architecture and is surrounded by mountain range providing a beautiful view.
Shanti Stupa Rd, Leh, Jammu and Kashmir 194101
This stupa is located in Dharamshala and was built to honor the lives that were lost in Tibet during its struggle for freedom. The design and architecture of this Namgyalma Stupa are influenced by stupas built by Emperor Ashoka. Prayer wheels surround this stupa and lush green environment.
Uparli Barol, Himachal Pradesh 176215
The height of this stupa is 185 feet and is located in Dehradun. Clement town stupa is surrounded by 2-acre lush garden. This stupa is in Dehradun and was built to represent world peace. Inside the Clement town stupa, there are ornate murals and Buddhist art. This is one of the largest stupas in the world. The Mindrolling monastery is a must visit when you visit this stupa. This stupa is built with Buddhist symbolism. Inside this Clement town stupa, you can find 103 feet high statue of Lord Buddha that is dedicated to Dalai Lama.
New Basti, Subhash Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248002
Located in Madhya Pradesh, Sanchi Stupa is one of the oldest stupas in India. Emperor Ashoka built this stupa to honor the teachings and life of Lord Buddha. It was built in the 3rd century B.C. Sanchi Stupa is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites.
Madhya Pradesh 464661
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This stupa was built during the Maurya period and is located in Madhya Pradesh. Deur Kothar Stupa was built by Emperor Ashoka. This is declared as a national monument by Archeological Survey of India. After excavation, 4 stupa mounds were found at this site with rock paintings and inscriptions in Brahmi language. Deur Kothar Stupa is built in bricks and has motifs in Buddhist art.
Madhya Pradesh 486117
This is one of the sacred stupas located in Nagpur in Maharashtra. Deekshabhoomi Stupa is also one of the Buddhist centers in India where millions of pilgrims visit. This is a very large stupa spread across 4 acres of land. The architecture and design of Deekshabhoomi Stupa are influenced by Sanchi Stupa. It is surrounded by statues and Bodhi tree.
Nagpur, Maharashtra
This is an ancient Buddhist site that has mains of the ancient ruins and also a rock-cut cave where the Buddhist monks once lived. It is located in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh on the banks of River Sarada. Edicts and viharas have been excavated on this site. Kotturu Budha Stupa is located on top of a hill and is one of the heritage sites.
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
This Lalitgiri Stupa is a large Buddhist temple complex that has large stupas which have Buddhist relics and stone caskets. Brahmi inscriptions have been found on this site. Lalitgiri Stupa is the site where tantric Buddhism was practiced. It is located in Cuttack district of Odisha. The structures on this site were built between the 3rd and 10th century.
Cuttack, Odisha
This Salihundam Stupa is located a few kilometers from Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh. Salihundam Stupa has historical significance and lies on top of a hill. During excavations relic caskets, Buddhist deities sculptures, and many remnants between 2nd and 12th century were found at this site.
Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh
This Ananda Stupa is one of the important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists located in the city of Vaishali in Bihar. This is one of the relic stupas and a place where Lord Buddha spent time after receiving enlightenment. His disciple Ananda built this stupa and inscribed the suttas of Lord Buddha on the walls of this stupa.
Shanti Marg, Kolhua, Bihar 844128
This stupa is located on Nagarjuna Hill near the Nagarjuna Sagar dam in Andhra Pradesh. Relics from early stone age were excavated on this site. Many Buddhist inscriptions were found on this site in Prakrit and Sanskrit language. Also found were Greco-Roman artifacts like coins and drinking horn. Nagarjunakonda Stupa has also been a site where ruins of Hindu shrines have been found. Historically this is an important site that has seen many civilizations over many centuries.
Nagarjuna hill, Andhra Pradesh
These Peace Pagodas were built during World War II to promote world peace. This Peace Pagoda is located in Darjeeling. It is built in the Japanese Buddhist style on a hilltop and provides a beautiful panoramic view of the city where you can also view the Kanchenjunga mountain range. It has a prayer room and beautiful artworks in sandstone inside it.
West Point, Darjeeling, West Bengal 734102
It is situated in the Gulbarga district of Karnataka. Kanaganahalli Stupa has inscriptions from the Mauryan dynasty, the times when Emperor Ashoka ruled. You can find Buddhist art from the early centuries. Excavations many relics and architecture from the Maurya period. There is a Mahastupa within this site that is of 75 feet in height. This Kanaganahalli Stupa site is the original sculpture of Emperor Ashoka and many limestone sculptures. Also found are inscriptions in Brahmi and Prakrit language from the first century.
Gulbarga, Karnataka
This is an archeological site located a few kilometers from Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh. Satdhara Stupa has a four group of stupas and viharas. These stupas are built in brickworks and have been built during the Mauryan period of Emperor Ashoka. It has a monastery and remains of a temple in its site. Satdhara Stupa was one of the spiritual retreats of the Buddhist monks who traveled from Sanchi.
Murli Khedi, Madhya Pradesh 464661
This is a large stupa in white color that is located in Wardha district in Maharashtra. Vishwa Shanti Stupa is also has a Japanese temple within its complex situated inside the park surrounding the stupa. This is a world peace stupa where prayers are said for universal peace. Vishwa Shanti Stupa was built as a result of the bombing in Japan to promote world peace.
Nalwadi, Wardha, Maharashtra 442001
It is located in Odisha and is a group of stupas and viharas within this Buddhist complex site. Inside these Udayagiri Stupas, there are many statues of Buddhist deities. Monasteries and stupas within these complexes were discovered during the excavation. There are many artifacts found on this Udayagiri Stupa site that link to the tantric Vajrayana cult of Buddhism.
Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh 464001
This Do-drul Chorten is also known as Dro-dul Chorten. This is a stupa that is located in Gangtok in Sikkim, Assam. It was built to promote Tibetan Buddhism. Dro-dul Chorten is built on top of a hill and has a golden dome. It is said that the site of this Do-drul Chorten stupa was initially haunted and many people died as victims of this site. A Lama who was the follower of Nyingma Buddhism used this as a hermitage site and built this stupa to drive away all the evil spirits. It has 108 prayer wheels and is one of the important stupas in Sikkim.
M.P.Golai, Tadong, Gangtok, Sikkim 737102
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