Buddhist Pilgrimage TourDuration:
11 Nights / 12 days
Places to Visit: Delhi, Patna, Nalanda, Rajgir, Bodhgaya, Varanasi, Kushinagar,
Lumbini, Sravasti, Lucknow, Delhi
Day 1 : Delhi
Arrive Delhi. On arrival at the airport, you will meet our representative and
be transferred to hotel. Day free for leisure. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 2 : Delhi
Full day city tour of Old & New Delhi. Morning visit Qutub Minar built
by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch)
and Lakshminarayan Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's
House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place
shopping centre. Afternoon visit Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana - the cremation
sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Jama Masjid, Red Fort and drive
past Chandni Chowk.
Day 3 : Delhi / Patna
Morning transfer to airport to connect flight for Patna. On arrival, assistance
and transfer to hotel. Afternoon excursion to Vaishali (55 kms) - known for
Buddha Stupas, Ashoka Pillar and Bawan Pokhar Temple. This is the place where
Buddha announced his Mahaparinirvana and happens to be the birthplace of Lord
Mahavira. Overnight at hotel.
Day 4 : Patna / Nalanda / Rajgir / Bodhgaya 
Morning drive to Bodhgaya (140 kms / 4 hrs) enroute visiting Nalanda and Rajgir.
Nalanda-a great center of Buddhist learning and one of the most famed university
citadels of ancient times. Rajgir, it was once the ancient capital of the
powerful Kingdom of Maghada. From the out-skirts of Rajgir, a historic road
leads to Gridhakuta or vultures peak where the Buddha preached. Here the first
Buddhist Council was held after the Lord's Mahaparinirvana. On arrival, check
in at hotel.
Day 5: Bodhgaya
Full day visit - Bodhgaya, in the state of Bihar, reckoned as the most important
Buddhist pilgrimage center, is the place where Lord Sakyamuni (Gautam Buddha)
entered into meditation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind. The
giant Bodhi Tree (Peepal) that we see today is believed to have grown from
the original Bodhi Tree under which, sitting on the raised platform, Prince
Siddharth meditated and finally attained Nirvana. Then there is Chaukramana,
the Jewel Walk, where it is believed that the Buddha strolled while in deep
thought. Also visit Shaivite Monastery and famous Jagganath Temple. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 6: Bodhgaya / Varanasi 
Morning leave Bodhgaya for Varanasi by surface (250 kms / 7 hrs). Varanasi
is famous for Hindus and Buddhists as its close proximity to Sarnath. On arrival
transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 7: Varanasi
Early morning boat excursion on the river Ganges, a ferry pilgrimage from
ghat to ghat. People bathe early in the morning to offer the prayers to the
rising sun. Come back to hotel for breakfast. Later sightseeing tour of the
city including the Bharat Mata Temple with a big relief map of India in marble,
Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Banaras Hindu University which has an Art
Gallery and the Mosque of Mughul Emperor Aurangazeb built on the site of an
ancient Hindu Temple. Afternoon excursion of Sarnath - where Lord Buddha gave
his first sermon. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple and the
Museum (Museum closed on Fridays).
Day 8 : Varanasi / Kushinagar
Drive to Kushinagar (260 kms / 8 hrs). Upon arrival check in at hotel. Kushinagar
is the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana in his 18th year.
Overnight a thotel.
Day 9 : Kushinagar / Lumbini 
Morning visit Kushinagar, one of the principal centres of Buddhist pilgrimage,
is the place of Mahaparinirvana. The monuments of Kushinagar are situated
in three distinct comprising the main site of the Nirvana Temple, the central
stupa and surrounding monasteries. Later drive to Lumbini (in Nepal) (170/
4 hrs). Upon arrival check in at hotel.
Day 10: Lumbini / Sravasti
Morning visit the village of Lumbini in Nepal, where the Queen Mahamaya gave
birth to Prince Siddhartha who later became the Buddha. Over 2000 years ago
the Emperor Ashoka set up a commemorative pillar here. The pillar carries
the inscription - Here the Buddha was born-. Another shrine preserves an ancient
image depicting the nativity of the Lord. Later drive to Sravasti (about 150
kms / 04 hrs) and check in at hotel.
Day 11: Sravasti / Gonda / Delhi
Morning visit sacred city for Buddhists. Buddha himself spent many summers
here to deliver important sermons. Here Anathapindaka was built in the garden
of Prince Jeta for the reception of the Buddha. Today, the remains unearthed
testify to the flourishing condition of this sacred spot in the Gupta period.
Drive straight to Gonda railway station (40 kms) to connect train # 2553 Vaishali
Express dep. 19:40 hrs. Overnight on train
Day 12: Delhi / Onward Destination
Arrive Delhi at 06:30 hrs. Transfer to international airport to connect flight
back home.
:
: Click Here for Booking 
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