Which four places associated with the Buddha’s life became major Buddhist pilgrimage centers?

Within the first two centuries following the death of the Buddha, four specific locations associated with key events in his life became the primary centers for Buddhist pilgrimage:

• Lumbini: Recognized as the Buddha’s birthplace.
• Bodh Gaya: The site where he attained enlightenment under the Bo tree.
• Varanasi: Specifically the Deer Park, where he is said to have preached his first sermon.
• Kushinara: The village recognized as the place of his parinibbana, or final death.1

These sites are central to the Buddhist tradition, as the Buddha himself is said to have prescribed them as places of pilgrimage to commemorate the significant milestones of his life.2