In which city did the Buddha die?

The Buddha died in Kushinagar, where he attained parinirvana according to Buddhist tradition. Kushinagar, in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India, is one of Buddhism’s most important pilgrimage sites.

The Mahāparinibbāṇa Sutta describes the Buddha travelling during his final months from Rājagaha through several settlements. After becoming seriously ill near Pāvā, he continued to Kushinagar and lay down between two sala trees. There, at the age of 80, he entered final nirvana, meaning release from the cycle of rebirth after the death of an enlightened being.

The Buddha’s body was traditionally cremated after seven days. His relics were distributed among several claimant groups, and stupas were built to enshrine them. The site later became associated with the Parinirvana Temple and a large reclining Buddha image.

Kushinagar is sometimes confused with Bodh Gaya, where the Buddha attained enlightenment, or Sarnath, where he delivered his first sermon. Kapilavastu was connected with his early life, while Varanasi was near the location of his first teaching.