Banaras Hindu UniversityFaculty of arts

B.A. (Hons.) Mathematics, Semester III,Assignment 2014- 15

Tourism and Travel Management: [TTM-06] Tourism Resources

Presentation Topic :- KushinagarClass Roll No– 470

Exam Roll No- 14131AR543Enrolment No- 367940

Student’s Name – Sandeep Rai s/o Markandey Rai Address: – Room NO – 211, LBS Hostel,

BHU, Varanasi (U.P.) 221005.E-mail: - sandeepraideorai@gmail.com

Mob NO: 9839739526/9415589242

Welcome to...Kushinagar, district of the eastern Uttar Pradesh, is known for its cultural heritage all over the world. It is one of the four holiest places for the Buddhists. At Kushinagar, Great Lord Buddha, founder of

Buddhism, delivered his last sermon. Outside India, it is an International Buddhist Pilgrimage Centre. The followers of the Buddhism, especially from Asian Countries, wish to visit this place at least once in their lifetime.

Kushinagar district :-General Information कुशीनगर जिला

Country : India State : Uttar Pradesh

Administrative division : GorakhpurHeadquarters : Padrauna

Government • Lok Sabha constituencies : Kushinagar

Area • Total 2,873.5 km2 (1,109.5 sq mi)

Population (2011) • Total 3,564,544Uraban Population :- 4.87%Rural Population :- 95.13%

Population Growth :- 23.20%Proportion to Uttar Pradesh Population :-1.78%

• Density :1,227/km2 (3,200/sq m.)Demographics

• Literacy 67.66 per cent • Sex ratio 961

Temperature (highest) :- 43.0°cTemperature (Lowest) :- 8.0°cRainfall ( Average ):- 182 mm

Research Institute:- Genda Singh Sugarcane Breeding & Research Institute, Seorahi.Main Rivers :-Great Gandak and Choti Gandak

Main Road :-National Highway- 28Main Crops :-Sugarcane, Paddy & wheatMain Fruits :-Jack Fruit, Mango, Leechi

Main Spice :-TurmericMain Industries :-Sugar Mills (09), Distillery(01)

Main Language:- Hindi and BhojpuriMain Fairs :-Annual Buddha Festival ( on Buddha Purnima ), A New Year festival, Navratri

Mela ( Palta Devi ), Shiva Ratri MelaTourist Information :- U.P. Tourism Information Counter, Kushinagar

Regional Tourism Office :- GorakhpurTemples :- Mahaparinirvana Temple, Matha Kuar Shrine, Watt Thai Temple, Indo-Japan-

Srilanka Temple, Sun Temple Official website http://kushinagar.nic.in/

A City of Cultural and Tourist Importance Origin of Name History Importance ( Cultural &Historical)

Origin Of Name :-• The district of Kushinagar is named after the sacred death-place of Lord Buddha. At Kushinagar, Lord

Buddha, an apostle of peace, comapassion and non-violence, attained Mahaparinirvana (Salvation) in 483 BC.

History :-• The present Kushinagar is identified with Kushawati ( in pre- Buddha period ) and Kushinara (in

Buddha period). Kushinara was the capital of Mallas which was one of the sixteen mahajanpads of the 6th Century B.C.

• According to the Valmiki's Ramayana, the Mallas was earlier part of Kosala Janpad. Kushwati capital was built by Kush, son of Lord Ram, the hero of the famous epic, 'The Ramayan'. After Ram's renunciation of the world Kusa left Kusavati for Ayodhya. His cousin, ChandraKetu, son of Lakshman took possession of this region. As per Buddha Pali literature, Kushawati was named prior to the king Kush. The naming of Kushwati was due to abundance of Kush grass found in this region which still holds good. Since then, it remained an integral part of the erstwhile empires of Maurya, Shunga, Kushana, Gupta and Harsha dynasties.

• In medieval period, Kushinagar had passed under the suzerainty of Kultury Kings. Kushinara continued to be a living city till the 12th Century A.D. and was thereafter lost into oblivion. Padrauna is believed to be ruled over by a Rajput adventurer, Madan Singh in the 15th century A.D.

• However, modern Kushinagar came into prominence in the 19th Century with archeological excavations carried out by A.Cuningham, the first Archeological Surveyor of India and later Nirvana Statue of Lord Buddhafollowed by C.L. Carlleyle who exposed the main stupa and also discovered a 6.10 meters long statue of reclining Buddha, in 1876 A.D. Ven. Chandra Swami, a Burmeses Monk, came to India in 1903 and made "Mahaparinirvana Temple" into a living shrine.

• After independence, Kushinagar remained the part of district Deoria. On 13th May, 1994, it came into being as a new district of Uttar Pradesh for an all round balanced and speedy development.

Cultural & Historical ImportanceKushinagar has its own cultural and historical importance.

• It belongs to the Great Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism, who delivered his last sermon, attained "Mahaparinirvana" and was cremated at Ramabhar (Kushinagar).Buddha's cremation was done at " Mukut Bandhan" (Ramabhar), where 'Mallas' constructed a big stupa over the ashes. Later, Ashoka, the great, had also renovated it. Chinese travellers, Fa Hien & Hieun Tsang have also mentioned " Kushinara " in their Travel-Memo.

• It is also associated with Lord Mahavir, 24th tirthankar of Jain Sect, founder of Jainism. It is believed that Lord Mahavrir passed away or attained Parinirvana at Pawa. As per Pali Tripitak, Pawa was the second capital of the Mallas, the first being Kushinara. Pawa is now being identified with present day 'Fazilnagar', a place 16 kms south - east of Kushinagar.

• The district of Kushinagar had been witness to the glorious ancient history and culture. It is believed to be an important centre for Vaishnav, Shiv, Shaktipeeth, Buddha, Mahavir etc. Situtaed on the bank of river Gandak and nearerto the terai of the Himalayas, this region was an ideal 'Meditation Place' for sages, saints hermits and Mahatamas who were attracted by its pious. tranquil and charming natural surroundings. Archeological excavation has yielded rich collection of antiquities. Artistic artifacts and statues of various gods and goddesses.

• The significance of this region is also due to being ' Link - route ' of ancient highways. Among them were important highways Ayodhya - Janakpur (Bihar), Rajgrih - Vaishali - Shrawasti, Maharshi Valmiki's Ashram, Ashoka, the great Mauryas, Pillars routes, passing through this district.

Map Kushinagar How to Reach GuideMap Kushinagar, situated at 53 kms east from Gorakhpur on the National Highway -28, lies between lattitude 26° 45´ N and

83° 24´ E. The district head-quarters is Padrauna, 71 Kms from Gorakhpur and 336 Kms from Lucknow. It is a terai area covering the geographical area of 2873.5 Sq. km. It is bounded by districts - Mahrajganj in the west, Gorakhpur in the

southern- west , Deoria in the south and Bihar state in the east.

How to Reach :-

• Air :- Air strip of U.P. Civil Aviation is available in Kasia, 5 km. from Kushinagar. Also, Air Force Station Aerodrome is 46 Km. from Kushinagar where landing and taking off facilities are allowed with due permission of the Air Force.

• Roadways :- Kushinagar is well connected with motorable roads and have regular bus -service . Frequent road-transport is available from Gorakhpur ( 51 Km) as well as from Deoria (35 Km).

• Rail :- Padrauna, district head-quarter, is linked with metre-gauge railway line from Gorakhpur. Nearest railway stations for reaching Kushinagar are Gorakhpur Railway Station (51 km) and Deoria (35 Km). Gorakhpur is well connected with all major cities of India and it has computer- reservation facility.

• Details of Important trains connecting Gorakhpur is given below :

Guide Map of Kushinagar

Other ServicesMain Banks

• Central Bank of India• State Bank of India• Punjab National Bank• District Co-operative Bank• Gorakhpur Regional Village Bank

Govt. Guest House/Inspection House

• Name of Guest House Location

• P.W.D. Inspection House Kasia

• Irrigation Deptt. Inspection House Kasia

• Forest Guest House ( Forest Deptt) Kushinagar

Main Hospitals • Government Hospitals• District Hospital, Padrauna• Ayurvedic Hospital• Homeopathic Hospital• Health Centre• Private Hospitals• Bipin Bihari Chaubey Nursing

Home• Avinash Mall Nursing Home• Dwarika Prasad Nursing Home

Hotels / DharamshalaS.no. Name of Hotel / Restaurant Address Telephone No.

Hotels1. Pathik Niwas, U.P. Tourism Kushinagar 710382. Hotel Lotus Nikko Kushinagar 72038 (fax)3. International Guest House Kushinagar 711394. Shyam Lodge Padrauna 229685. Chandan Lodge Padrauna 23059 Dharamshala1. Birla Hindu Buddha Dharamshala Kushinagar 712172. Burmese Buddha Vihar Kushinagar 710353. Linh Son Chinese Dharamshala Kushinagar 711194. Thai Mandir & Guest House Kushinagar 71189. 5. Tibbeti Dharamshala Kushinagar 6. Karuna Buddha Vihar Kushinagar 720997. Shanti Buddha Vihar Kushinagar

Places to See Mahaparinirvana Temple, Nirvana Chaitya, Ramabhar Stupa, Matha Kuar Shrine ,

Meditation Park, Indo-Japanese-Srilanka Temple, Wat Thai Temple, Museum, Ruins & Brick Structures, Others

ExcursionsPawa Nagar Sun Temple Others

Mahaparinirvana Temple :-This temple stands on the same plinth as the main Nirvana Stupa behind it. The reclining Nirvana statue of

Lord Buddha inside the temple is 6.10 metres long and is made of monolith red - sand stone. It represents the "Dieing - Buddha" reclining on his right side with his face towards the west. It is placed on a large brick-

pedestal with stone-posts at the corners. There is an inscription datable to the 5th Century A.D. recording that the statue was "the appropriate religious gift of the Mahavihara Swami Haribala".

Nirvana Chaitya (Main Stupa):-Nirvana Chaitya is located just behind the Main Parinirvana Temple. It was excavated by Carlleyle in the year 1876. During excavations, a copper-plate was found, which contained the text of the "Nidana-Sutra" which concluded the statement that plate had been deposited in the "Nirvana-Chaitya" by one Haribala, who also installed the great Nirvana Statue of Buddha in the temple front. A copper vessel was also recovered which contained silver coins of Kumar Gupta, an emperor of Gupta Dynasty, 5th Century A.D.Ramabhar Stupa :- Followers offering puja at Ramabhar StupaRamabhar Stupa, also called a Mukutbandhan-Chaitya, is the cremation -place of Buddha. This Site is 1.5 km east of the main Nirvana Temple on the Kushinagar- Deoria road. this Stupa has a huge circular drum with a diameter of 34.14 meters on the top consisting of the two or more terraces and is 47.24 meters in diameter at the base.

Matha Kuar ShrineBhumi Sparsh Mudra - inside Matha Kuar ShrineA Colossal statue of Lord Buddha is installed, which is carved out of one block which represents Buddha seated under the "Bodhi Tree" in a pose known as " Bhumi Sparsh Mudra " (Earth touching attitude). The inscription at the base of statue is datable to the 10th or 11th Century A.D.

Meditation Park:-Recently developed near the main Nirvana Temple, this park has artificial water bodies with raised lush-green platforms for meditation surrounded by Sal-trees and other afforestations, representing a complete Buddhist-ambience.Indo-Japan-Srilanka Temple

Indo-Japan-Srilanka TempleBuddha Statue inside Indo-Japan-Srilanka Temple Indo-Japan-Srilanka temple is a marvel of Buddhist architectural grandeur of modern times.

Wat Thai Temple:- Wat Thai Temple - Front ViewIt is a huge complex built in a typical Thai-Buddhist architectural fashion.

Museum:-Built by State Government in Buddhist-architectural ambience. Ancient archeological discoveries and antiquities are displayed there. Visiting hours are 10:00 am to 17:00 PM (except Mondays).Ruins & Brick Structures:- Ruins & Brick Structures near Mahaparinirvana TempleThese are located around the main Nirvana Temple and Main Stupa. These are the remains of various monasteries of different sizes constructed from time to time in the ancient period.

Others:-There are several other nearby temples to be worth seen like Linh Son Chinese Temple, Myan Mar (Burmese) Temple, Birla Hindu Buddha temple, Japanese Stupa, Korean Temple, Shiva temple, Ram Janaki Temple etc.Pawanagar /Pawapuri(Fazilnagar)Lord Mahavir :-It is a 'Nirvana' place of Lord Mahavir, 22 kms east of Kushinagar on the National Highway 28. Followers of Jain sect organise a festival here on the next day of Deepawali every year, when Lord Mahavir has attained Salvation. It is also believed that Lord Buddha, while going to Kushinagar from Vaishali, stopped here to accept meals from one of his disciples 'Chund'. Here he ate 'Sukar-Maddav' (Mushrooms) and developed dusentry which caused his death at Kushinagar.

Sun Temple, Turkpatti :-Situated 17 km east of Kushinagar on Kasia - Tamkuhi Road. There are huge and artistic statues of Sun god, made of black stone.They were recovered during excavations one of which is belonged to 4th - 5th Century A.D. and another 8th - 9th Century A.D.OthersKuber AsthanOn Padrauna - Turkpatti route, this place has Shiv Temple, establishedby Kuber as per the saying. Lakhs of Shiv devotees offer JAl on Shivling on the 'Shivratri'.Devraha Asthan3 kms from Padrauna cantonment, there is a huge ancient mount having three statues of Tirthankar MAhavir, tirthankar Neminath and Vishnu, one of the Trimurti of Hindu Gods. It is believed there stood a large Buddha Stupa also.Kurukulla AsthanIt is meditation centre of 'Aadi Shakti' Kurukulla Devi, setup by Nagarjun. It is situated on the river bank in dense forest 8 kms from Kasia - Tamkuhi road.Sidhua AsthanSituated 4 kms from Padrauna - Tamkuhi road, it is famous 'Siddhi', place of gods.