Government Buddhist Museum, Kushinagar

Government Bauddha Museum is situated at Kushinagar which is well known all around the world as Mahaparinirvana place of Lord Buddha. The Buddha breathed his last at the ripe age of eighty at Kushinagar and therefore this place has been the centre of attraction for tourists and Buddhists pilgrims from all over India and abroad. Kushinagar is located about 52 Km. East from Gorakhpur on National Highway-28 and 35 Km. North from Deoria which are also the railway stations of the North Eastern Railway.The visitors can stay in the various guest-houses maintained by the temples and monastaries or in private/Govt. hotels. Uttar pradesh is undoubtely the seat of Buddhism. Buddhism emerged here as a religion and from here spread across to the world. Main Buddhist places as viz. Sarnath, Kapilvastu, Sankisa, Sravasti, Kaushambi and Kushinagar are situated here. Kushinara was the ancient name of Kushinagar, which was the capital of Malla clan.It was also one of the Sixteen Mahajanapadas of ancient India during the period of 6th century B.C.E. According to Jatakas, in ancent times Kushinagar was known as Kushavati. In Ramayana, it is mentioned as the city of Kusha, the son of lord Rama the king of Ayodhya.

CULTURAL BACKGROUND- lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana here at Sal-Vana in the ripe age of eighty. By the time Kushinagar become a place of immense cultural and religious significance. The Mahaparinirvana and subsequently the erection of Stupas on his holy relics are not considered as symbole of mourning, because after Enlightenment Buddha also became free from the bondage of body, which was and achievement in itself and such the event waas to be rejoiced. This is corroborated by the sculptural representation on the early Stupas where scenes of music, dance and entertainment are depicted. The holy spot of Kushinagar continues to be thronged by countless visitors and devotees to pay their homage to the Master.

The main temple (Mahaparinirvan place) houses the superb image of the Buddha in Mahaparinirvana posture and its inscription informs us that it was carved by the master craftsman Dinna who belongs to Mathura School of art which has developed as a renowned studio for sculpting the Buddhist images in the Gupta period.

With the decline of Buddhism, however Kushinagar losts its importance and suffered much negligence. It was only in the last century when Sir A. Cunningham excavated many important remnants. He identified the spot in 1861-62 as Kushinagar. He was followed by A.C.Carloyal(1877-80), J.PH. Vogel (1904-07) and Pt. Hiranand Shastri (1910-11) and they unearthed the remains of Stupa, architectural remains, Viharas, Buddhist icons which shed valuable lighht on Buddhism and Indian culture.

MUSEUM -The significance of the holy place inspired several countries to put-up religious and cultural edifices and Kushinagar gradully ushered into a spot of global attraction. The proposal was mooted by department of Culture, Govt. of U.P. to found a museum for preserving the archaeological wealth from the region and the present building came in to existance in 1992-93.

From remnants of Mesolithic period to the collectibles of later period aree displayed here. Museum is simply the perfect destination for the History and Art lovers. Museum reveals a lot more about the art, culture and historical facts of ancient India. The nucleous of the collection represents sculptures, terracottas, architectural remains, bronzes, clay seals, thankas and coins. Among sculptures museum has a good collection of Mathura and Gandhara school of art. A large number of artifacts are on display in four galleries. Besides Bauddha artifacts, some Hindu and Jain antiquities are also on view. The stucco statue of Lord Buddha in the meditation posture is a superb specimen. It represents the zenith of Gandhara school of art. The beautifully decorated votive stupas and bricks are also on view.

The museum is at the developing stage and efforts are being made to collect the artifacts from different places and institutions. In this series recently museum collects a large no. of valuable antiquities from Rahul Sankrityayan Sansthan and District administratation Kushinagar.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES - The museum organises various educational and cultural programmes as different competetions, exibitions, workshops, lectures, seminars and film shows etc. It also co-ordinates with other institions to organise educational and cultural programmes.

MUSEUM TIMING - TIMING - 10.30 A.M. TO 4.30 P.M. HOLIDAYS - Monday, Sunday following second Saturday and other public holidays.

TICKET - Rs. 3/-for Indian visitors over 12 years

Rs. 10/-for foreigners

Rs. 20/-Camera ticket

Educational tours and childrens up to 12 years free.