The four primary holy places of Buddhism—recommended by the Buddha himself—are Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first sermon), and Kushinagar (passing away) in India, along with Lumbini (birthplace) in Nepal. These sites mark key events in Buddha's life and form the core of the Buddhist pilgrimage circuit.

• Bodh Gaya (Bihar): The most sacred site, where Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree and became the Buddha. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh): Located near Varanasi, this is where the Buddha gave his first sermon to five ascetics in the Deer Park, setting the Wheel of Dharma in motion
• Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh): The place where Buddha passed away at the age of 80 and attained Parinirvana. Sites include the Parinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa.
• Lumbini (Nepal): Though in modern-day Nepal (near the Indian border), it is essential to the four sites as the birthplace of Buddha. Key locations include the Maya Devi Temple.