Archaeological

Mansa

State

Mansa, believed to be founded by Bhai Gurdas, is situated in the cotton belt of state and is popularly known as "Area of White Gold". Pre-Harappan, Harappan and late Harappan sites found in the region are the testimony of the fact that life in Mansa began in around 2800 BC.

History

The town is said to have been founded by Bhai Gurdas who hailed from Dhingar, Distt. Mansa. He is said to have been married at this place among the Dhaliwal Jat Sikh. Once he came to his in-laws to take his wife along with him but they refused to send her. At this, Bhai Gurdas sat in meditation before the house of his in-laws. After some time, the parents of the girl agreed to send their daughter with Bhai Gurdas. But he refused to take her along with him, stating that he had now renounced the worldly way of life. In his memory, his Smadh was constructed where a fair is held every year in March-April. People in large numbers attend the fair and offer Laddus and Gur at Smadh. Class ‘A’ municipality has been functioning in the town since 1952.

Accessibility

Air: The nearest airports are located at New Delhi and Chandigarh which are 248 km and 180 km away by road respectively.New airports will be in working soon at ludhiana, International Airport at Mohali, Bhatinda.

Rail: It is connected by rail and situated on the Delhi–Bathinda branch line of Northern Railway. Many trains like New Delhi–Bathinda Intercity Express,Ferozepur Mumbai Janta Express, Bikaner Guwahti Express and Punjab-Mail come to Mansa station. Besides, there are several passenger trains running between New Delhi and Mansa at regular intervals daily.

Road: Mansa is well connected to all the cities of punjab by bus routes.

District
Mansa
STD Code
01652
Termperature
Summer 30-40°C, Winter 12-20°C
Best time to visit
Oct - Mar
Famous For
Mansa Fair that is held in either March or April

Kushinagar

State

Kushinagar, earlier known as Kushinar, is one of the most sacred sites for the Buddhists. It wis the place where Lord Buddha is said to have attained 'Mahaparnirvana', the freedom from the endless cycle of birth and rebirth at Kushinagar. The Mukutabandhana Stupa, which was built to hold the Buddha’s cremated remains is considered of great sanctity.

Kushinagar is one of the main four Buddhist pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha, other three are Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, and Sarnath.

History

Kushinagar was a celebrated center of the Malla kingdom of ancient India. At this location, near the Hiranyavati River, Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana (passed away), and was cremated.

Many of the ruined stupas and viharas at Kushinagara date back to 3rd century BC to the 5th century AD when prosperity was at its peak. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka is known to have contributed to significant construction at this site.

Prior to its rediscovery in the nineteenth century, there was a silence of more than half a millennium at Kasia. Due possibily to violent invasions, Kushinagar lost its vitality and eventually was neglected. The notable Buddha Temple, when rediscovered, was covered in a 40 foot high mound of bricks surrounded by a dense thorny forest.

Excavations began in the late 1800s and many important remnants of the main site such as the Matha Kuar and Ramabhar stupa were unveiled.

Accessibility

Air

There is no direct air connection.

Rail

Nearest railway station is Gorakhpur : 51 km, which is the headquarters of North Eastern Railways and linked to important destinations. Some important trains to Gorakhpur are Bombay-Gorakhpur-Bandra Exp., New Delhi-Barauni-Vaishali Exp. Cochin-Gorakhpur Exp., Shaheed Exp, Amarnath Exp, Kathgodam Exp, (Kushinagar does not has a Railway Station, one has to go to Gorakhpur from where Kushinagar can be reached by road).

Road

Situated on National Highway No. 28, with frequent bus services, Kushinagar is well connected with other parts of the state. Some major road distances are: Gorakhpur-51 km, Lumbini-173 km, Kapilastu-148 km, Sravasti-254 km, Sarnath 266 km.