It has been a long day.
This was the full journey for the day:
- 5am – got on the bus to Kesariya Stupa.
- 1010am – reached Kesariya Stupa.
- 1145am – reached Rampur Khajuria
- 115pm – reached Gopalganj
- Had an experience which is a highlight of this trip.
- 345pm – reached Kushinagar.
- 4pm – checked into my accommodations
- 430pm – visited the Maha Parinirvana Temple/Stupa
- 530pm – had a simple dinner.
The Journey Begins.
Got on the bus to Kesariya Stupa at 5am.
But because the whole bus station is full with buses and trucks, the bus cannot get out.
This morning, 3 transgenders came on board the bus asking for money, maybe to give some blessings. One tapped me on the shoulder, I ignored.
It is supposedly quite a common practice in India. This is the first time I encountered them.
The bus finally could edge out at 610am.
After picking up passengers around, we were out of Patna only at about 630am, but there is a jam ahead. Let’s see how it goes.
I had earlier bought the train ticket, on 12 Nov 2024, for 15 Nov 2024, as there were only 14 tickets left then.
Since, I am heading to Kushinagar by bus, I can cancel this train ticket.
I paid a total of 510.65 Rupees, with the refund of 265 Rupees, the total cancellation fee for me is 245.65 Rupees.
Local market. They like cauliflower a lot. Lots of dishes with cauliflowers.
Heard that some people would repackage used bottles and resell the bottle of water again. Some water in Bihar might contain arsenic. After noticing this, I decided to just throw away the bottle. I had drank some water from it already.
Arrived here at 1010am. What a long journey. I need a toilet break.
I waited 20 mins for this bus.
After taking this picture, the bus became totally loaded. They seemed to be high school or university students.
One of the students came to ask where am I from. I think he wanted to ask more questions but not sure how to ask in English.
I asked the student beside me, using google translate, she said they are university students.
Dropped off at this intersection to wait for the bus to Kushinagar.
I was waiting for a direct bus to Kushinagar. So, I didn’t board the bus that was going to Gopalganj. From Gopalganj, I would need to change to another bus to Kushinagar.
While waiting, I think I look like a rare Chinese lost sheep, some locals came to find out where I was going.
A local confirmed that there are direct buses to Kushinagar. But, another local told me that I would need to go to Gopalganj then to Kushinagar.
So, I got onto the next bus to Gopalganj.
Waited 40 mins for this bus.
I was standing right at the back of the bus. There were no seats. A local sitting at the back row, chatted with me. After awhile, he got up for me to sit, saying he is going to alight in 10 mins time.
I was quite tired, so I accepted the seat with much thanks.
Note that my backpack covered in the red rain cover is stack at the top. Something would happen later.
The bus was driving on the expressway very quickly and very much like a roller coaster.
So fast, that the 44km distance only took 50mins. Usually, this distance would take about 2 hours to complete.
At the last row, we jumped up and down.
Due to this bumpy ride, my backpack dislodged and fell onto the lady under it. I was so apologetic to her.
I was dropped off and after asking around, seems like I need to walk somewhere further down to catch the bus to Kushinagar.
While walking down the road, I didn’t see any big buses ahead, so, I must look totally lost.
Looking around for someone to ask, I saw this man at a food stall. I think I must look really lost, because he seemed ready to ask me if I needed help.
I asked him about where to go to wait for the bus to Kushinagar. He spoke very good English. By confirming with the other locals, he told me that it is much further down, maybe a few kilometres away. So, I would need to take an Autorickshaw there.
I then asked how to tell the Autorickshaw driver exactly where to go. After thinking a short while, he offered to send me to the location to take the bus to Kushinagar. I think he was in the midst of having his lunch at that moment.
As I was totally lost, I accepted his offer.
Along the short ride to the location to take the bus to Kushinagar, we chatted.
His name is Danish.
Concerned for me as I haven’t had my lunch yet, he asked me to grab a bite before the bus ride to Kushinagar, even suggesting a place that has good briyani.
Because I wanted to reach Kushinagar first, and hopefully before nighttime, I declined.
When we arrived at the location where the bus would depart for Kushinagar, he also helped to find out the details of the bus ride and the fare.
My bus is actually intended for Gorakhpur, but for the fare of 200 Rupees, it would drop me off at Kushinagar.
I am so thankful to Danish for his immense help.
After taking the photo together, he gave me his number, in case, I needed further help in India.
One of the highlights of my trip!
He helping me just now, has become a highlight of my trip. It really touched my heart. Incredible India!!
At last, I reached Kushinagar at 345pm.
Got an Autorickshaw to send me to the Tibetan Buddhist Temple. 50 Rupees.
Why did I come to this Tibetan Buddhist Temple?
Lonely planet highly recommended this accommodation.
Each night is 600 Rupees.
It has everything I want:
- towel
- wifi
- hot water
- clean
- close to the main site, which in this case, is the Mahaparinirvana Temple.
- and it is the cheapest place
(Which means all my previous accommodations did not satisfy one or more of the above.)
I would be staying here for at least 2 nights. Might extend to 4-5 nights.
Interestingly, the payment is only at the end of the stay. Usually I have to pay upfront for the nights.
Parinirvana of the Buddha “describes the state entered after death by someone who has attained nirvana during their lifetime” (copied from Wikipedia), or to non-Buddhist, his death.
The Buddha supposedly entered into Parinirvana at Kushinagar.
One common misconception: This is the sleeping Buddha.
Actuality: The lying down Buddha is NOT sleeping. The lying down Buddha is to represent His entering into Parinirvana.
They have no menus, and so the pictures are the menu.
Ordered a paneer roll 60 Rupees, the chowmein + coke set 80 Rupees, and got a 2 litre bottle of water 30 Rupees.
The paneer roll was a bit too salty for my taste but paneer is a type of cheese, so that could be the reason.
The chowmein was quite nice, was a bit too spicy though because of the added sauce.
Might come back and try something else next time. Or just get a masala chai and chill there.
What a long day it has been!!
But I am so happy that I was able to get to Kushinagar today.
Might have an early night before visiting the Maha Parinirvana Temple/Stupa tomorrow morning.
Will travel 