After spending 10 days on the Buddhist Pilgrimage circuit, it is probably a logical juncture to sidetrack and discuss about the history of Buddhism in India. When Buddhism was at its height during the reign of Emperor Ashoka the Great (273BC to 232BC) of the Mauryan Empire, he established monuments marking several significant sites (e.g. Bodhgaya, Lumbini and Sarnath) in the life of Lord Buddha. According to records, he was also closely involved in the preservation and transmission of Buddhism; he used his position to propagate relatively new philosophy to (as far as) Rome and Egypt. Several empires after his continued his legacy on the propagation of Buddhism.

While the Mughal armies (descendants from the Mongolians in Persia or current Iran) invading northern India from the west, they destroyed almost everything that came into the way including Hindu and Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Like the physical status of these sites, Buddhism then went into decline and almost disappeared until the British colonized India. European archaeologists started reviving the various sites (after years of neglect) with the help of ancient records from various sources such as Xuanzang and Faxian.

Buddhism had since experienced a revival in the country of its origin. More and more people (especially from the lower caste) are interested in this "religion" (or philosophy to be technically correct). With the increase of religion-influenced tourism during the last 2 decades or so, this trend should not be simply brushed aside. It would continue to grow and provide benefits; in the mental, social well-being or economic sense.