Which four places did the Buddha identify as important pilgrimage sites?

Throughout early Buddhist history, there were four major pilgrimage sites identified as central to the life of the Buddha. These locations are associated with key events in his life:2

• Lumbini: The site of the Buddha’s birth.12
• Bodh Gaya: The location where he attained enlightenment under the Bo tree.32
• Sarnath: Located in the Deer Park near Varanasi, this is where he preached his first sermon.32
• Kushinara: The village recognized as the place of his parinibbana, or final death.2