Start your journey from Mumbai, India’s entertainment and commercial capital. Its is connected by road, rail and air from almost all parts of the country and by flight to several foreign countries. 

Set against the Arabian Sea (about 1.5 hours from Mumbai), this is a Buddhist meditation centre where the teachings and philosophies of Lord Buddha are preached.

Before being taken over by the British in 1817, who eventually turned it into the monsoon capital of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency, Pune was the capital of Shivaji and the ruling Peshwas. Today, the city is a vibrant metropolis with a buzzing academic and business scene. 

Located in the Maval taluka (about 1.5 hours away), these caves are said to have been excavated in the 1st century BC. The caves - two finished and two unfinished - are regarded as notable milestones of Buddhist cave architecture in India.

Drive past the Bedse Caves to reach the Karla Caves, located about 2 hours away. Perched on a hill, these 15 rock-cut Buddhist caves were built sometime between the 2nd and 5th century AD and are known for their inscriptions. 

Situated approximately 7.5 km (about 20 minutes) from Karla Caves, the Bhaja Caves are said to have been created between the 3rd century and 2nd century AD. 

A weekend destination for residents of the neighbouring cities of Mumbai and Pune, Aurangabad was the erstwhile capital of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb between 1653 and 1707. It also serves as the perfect base to explore the Buddhist caves of Ajanta and Ellora.

Located near the village of Ellora (about 30 km northwest of Aurangabad), these are a series of 34 stunning rock-cut Buddhist, Jain and Hindu temples with elaborate facade and intricate interiors.

Said to be much older than Ellora, the caves of Ajanta are believed to be one of the earliest monastic institutions in India. 

The capital of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal is a city of contrasts, divided by two pristine lakes. While one side of the waterbodies lies the old walled city, the other side sports a cosmopolitan vibe. Boasting several national parks and wildlife sanctuaries teeming with flora and fauna - Bhopal is one of the greenest cities in the country. 

Located on a plateau region west of the Betwa River, the historic site of Sanchi is famous for preserving some of the country’s oldest monuments associated with Buddhism. 

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this stupa stands 42 feet high and is surrounded by intricately-carved toranas (arched gateways). It was commissioned by emperor Ashoka after he embraced Buddhism following the aftermath of the Kalinga war.

About 30 minutes from the Sanchi stupa lies Satdhara, a lesser-known yet equally-stunning Buddhist site comprising stupas, chaityas and a rock shelter, inside which an image of Lord Buddha is painted. The main stupa here is modelled on similar lines like that in Sanchi. The 13-m-high Stupa number 1 is almost as large as the Sanchi Stupa.

A 30-minute drive from Sanchi will lead you to 37 stupas at Bhojpur near Murelkhurd (also known as Bhojpur stupas). Two Buddhist temples also stand here

Sitting pretty on the banks of River Rapti, Gorakhpur is rooted in history, literature and spirituality. It is as associated with Munshi Premchand and Kabirdas (noted literary figures) as it is with Lord Buddha. It is also one of the closest destinations to Kapilavastu (Kapilvastu), where the lord is said to have spent his childhood. Make your way to Kapilavastu the next day.

Former capital of the Shakya clan and the erstwhile kingdom of king Suddhodhana (Shuddhodan), father of Lord Buddha, Kapilavastu boasts several quaint villages and is an important stop in the state’s Buddha circuit. It is said to be where Lord Buddha spent the first 29 years of his life as Prince Siddhartha before leaving in search of a path of salvation, only to return 12 years later after attaining enlightenment.

Believed to have once housed the sacred relics of Lord Buddha, this large stupa was unearthed during excavations sometime during the 1970s. 

One of the most prominent sites in India’s Buddha circuit, this ancient city is where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. It is believed to have derived its name from its founding ruler Kush, Lord Rama’s son.

It is the site where Lord Buddha is said to have taken his last breath in 483 BC. 

Located close by, this is the site where Lord Buddha was cremated. Appearing like a dome-shaped structure of red bricks, this stupa is 15 m high.

Hailed as one of the most revered Buddhist sites, Sarnath is where Lord Buddha is believed to have delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. 

An archaeological excavated site, this stupa is said to have been built to commemorate the first sermon delivered by Lord Buddha to five of his disciples after attaining enlightenment. Keep an eye out for the finely-carved figures of humans and birds and inscriptions written in the ancient Brahmini script on the walls.

Of the many pillars erected by the emperor, the metallic one at Sarnath is most notable. Established between 272 and 273 BC, this 50-m-high structure marks the foundation of the Buddhist Sangha.

One of the sixth-largest cities during the time of Lord Buddha, Sravasti is located on the banks of River Rapti and was once the capital of the Kosala (Koshal) kingdom ruled by king Pasendi, a disciple of Lord Buddha. It is said to be the site where Lord Buddha spent 24 monsoon seasons in a monastery (constructed by one of his followers, Ananthapindika) and delivered his teachings and sermons.

Sprawled across a vast area (about 1.7 sq km), the Jetavana Mahavira once hosted Lord Buddha and his pilgrims.

This area of Sravasti is known for two sites, namely Kachhi Kuti and Pakki Kuti. While the first is the ruins of the Ananthapindika stupa, the second is known as the cave of a dacoit named Angulimal (Anguimala).

The second-largest city of Bihar, Gaya is nestled amidst rocky hills and a river. It is one of the most important sites associated with Lord Buddha in India as it is the city where, under a Bodhi tree, Lord Buddha attained enlightenment.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this temple compound houses the revered Bodhi tree. 

Just across the Phalgu river (about seven minutes from the Mahabodhi Temple) lies Sujata Garh, an ancient stupa.

Situated at the south of the state capital Patna, Nalanda was once the site of the first residential international universities in the world. It has also been the site where several religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism and Sufism have flourished. 

Perched on top of the Ratnagiri hill, this 125-ft-high stupa celebrates Lord Buddha. It is reached by an eight-minute (approximately) ropeway ride.

These are the remnants of what was considered one of the oldest international universities that flourished somewhere between 5th (or 6th) century CE till 13th century. 

The capital of Bihar, Patna spreads out along the southern banks of the Ganges river. Lord Buddha had once predicted that a great city would arise at the current location of the city, which was further proved true when king Ajatashatru shifted the capital of his Magadha empire from Rajgir to erstwhile Pataliputra (present-day Patna).

Spread over 22 acres, this park was developed to commemorate the 2554th birthday of Lord Buddha by the Government of Bihar.