This ancient city gets its name from Lord Rama's son, Kush, who is said to be its founding ruler. Kushinagar is one of the most important archaeological sites in India. The prime tourist attraction here is the ancient Mahaparinirvana Temple, one of the most sacred shrines for Buddhists. The temple houses a 6-m-long idol of Lord Buddha reclining on his right side. It is believed that Lord Buddha had attained the supreme state of salvation here. Head to the Kushinagar Museum after visiting the Mahaparinirvana Temple to gain a deeper insight into the history of the city. Established in 1992, the museum displays numerous archaeological excavations that were discovered in Kushinagar. These include sculptures, seals, coins, banners, antiquities and statues. The most striking feature of the museum is the stucco idol of Lord Buddha built in the Gandhara style. From the museum, tourists can visit the Ramabhar Stupa, which marks the place where Lord Buddha was cremated. Located in the vicinity of a well-maintained garden lined with palm trees, the stupa stands around 50 ft tall. Another notable site is the Sun Temple that was constructed during the Gupta period (319 to 550 CE) and houses a beautiful statue of the Sun God carved out of precious sapphire. Kushinagar is located at a distance of 188 km from Ayodhya and can be easily reached from all parts of the country.

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