The Buddhist Circuit: Bodhgaya, Nalanda, Rajgir and Sarnath in One Journey
Culture · 25 June 2026 · 8 min read
The four holiest Buddhist sites in India can be done in one train journey from Kolkata. From the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya to the Lion Capital at Sarnath, here is how to plan the full circuit.
The Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, preached his first sermon and died within a triangle of land in modern Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. These places form the classical Buddhist pilgrimage circuit. But the archaeological depth of Nalanda, the hill teachings of Rajgir and the sacred Ganga ghats of Varanasi complete the picture. All of it is reachable by train from Kolkata in one connected journey.
Bodhgaya, near Gaya in Bihar, is the most sacred site in Buddhism. The Bodhi tree under which Prince Siddhartha sat and attained enlightenment stands here, beside the Mahabodhi Temple: a UNESCO World Heritage Site of extraordinary architectural power. The temple dates to the 3rd century BC with later additions and attracts monks, pilgrims and scholars from Japan, Thailand, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tibet and dozens of other countries.
Walking the grounds at 5am, as monks from different traditions walk their separate circuits in the pre-dawn dark, is one of the most moving travel experiences in India. The air is quiet and the intention of the place is palpable.
Before Oxford, before Bologna, before any European university existed, Nalanda was the greatest seat of learning in the known world. At its peak in the 7th century AD, it housed over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers from across Asia. The Chinese traveller Xuanzang studied here and left detailed accounts of the institution.
The ruins of Nalanda are extraordinary: excavated courtyards, meditation cells, libraries and temples spread across a large site. The Nalanda Archaeological Museum holds the objects found during excavation, including bronze Buddhas and seals. The Nava Nalanda Mahavihara, a modern Buddhist university adjacent to the ruins, keeps the tradition of scholarship alive.
After his enlightenment at Bodhgaya, the Buddha came to Rajgir and spent several monsoon seasons teaching on Gridhrakuta hill (Vultures' Peak). Rajgir is also deeply important in Jain tradition: Mahavira spent 14 years here. The hills around Rajgir have been sacred for over 2,500 years.
Today, a ropeway takes visitors to the top of Ratnagiri hill, where the white Japanese Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda) rises above the valley. The hot springs at Rajgir (Brahmakund), described in ancient texts, remain active and are used by pilgrims daily. Nalanda and Rajgir are only 12 kilometres apart by road.
Sarnath, 10 kilometres from Varanasi, is where the Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment: setting in motion the Wheel of Dharma. The Dhamek Stupa, built in 500 AD, marks the spot. The Sarnath Museum holds the Lion Capital of Ashoka: the original, not a replica. This 4th-century BC sculpture has been India's national emblem since 1950.
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