Grand Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
DURATION: 11 Nights / 12 Days
DESTINATIONS: Delhi - Agra - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Rajgir
- Vashali - Kushinagar - Lumbini - Saravasti - Lucknow - Delhi
Day 01: Delhi
Upon arrival met and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 02: Delhi-Agra-Varanasi
After breakfast proceed for Agra - The City of Taj. Upon arrival
check in hotel. After lunch visit famous Taj Mahal - built by the mughal
emperor shan Jahan, in memory of his beloved wife -Mumtaz Hahal. Also visit
Agra fort. Evening transfer to railway station to board overnight express
train to Varanasi.
Day 03: Varanasi
On arrival met and transfer to hotel. Varanasi is probably the
oldest living city in India and one of the world's most ancient. It was
earlier known as Kasi - is a city that cannot be described, only experienced.
Sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from the board, can be a spiritually
uplifting sight. After breakfast drive to Sarnath - where Buddha preached
his first sermon after he had attained enlightenment at Bodhgaya. Vist the
Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions that has been used as independent
India's national emblem. On return back to Varanasi lunch at hotel or in
a local restaurant. Rest of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay
at hotel.
Day 04: Varanasi-Bodhgaya
Early morning visit Ganga, bathing ghats and boat ride. After breakfast
drive to Bodhgaya. It is here that Buddha attained enlightenment under the
Bodhi tree, the saplings of whih can be seen in the temple premises. Upon
arrival check in hotel. After freshen up take your hot lunch at hotel. Rest
of the day at leisure. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.
Day 05: Bodhgaya
Full day visit Mahabodhi temple - The Bodhi tree, situated in the
premises of the temple, is the one under which Buddha attained illumination.
White, Green and Red flags, tied onto the tree, form a canopy over seven
sadred shrines, which symbolizes the seven weeks that Buddha spent here.
Free to mediate in this holist spot of Buddhism. Overnight Bodhgaya.
Day 06: Bodhgaya-Rajgir
Morning depart for Rajgir. Rajgir was the capital of Magadh Empire
around 800 BC. This isevident from the remains of the cyclopean dry stone
that once enclosed the ancient city. Visit the Ajatshatru Fort. Venuvana,
and the bamboo grove where Lord Buddha spent some time. Located close is
the Jivakamarvana Monastery (4-3rd BC). After this take the cable car ride
to visit the Visva Shanti Stupa built by the Japanese on top of Ratnagiri
mountain. From here you can hae a good view of the Griddakuta Hill (the
hill of vultures) from where Lord Buddha, delivered many important sermons
and also of the Sattapani Cave, where the First Buddhist Council was convened
six months after the death of Lord Buddha. The site of Nalanda was one of
the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world University established
in 5th century BC. It is believed that Lord Buddha and also the founder
of Jainism religion Lord Mahavir taught at this university for years. There
is even a monument to facilitate Chinese traveller monk and writer Hiuen
Tsang who studied at this university in the 7th century A.D. Dinner and
overnight at hotel.
Day 07: Rajgir-Vashali-Kushinagar
After lunch, depart for Kunshinagar. Enroute Vaishali. Vaishali
Is Believed To Be The First
Republic Of The World, Having An Elected Body
Of Representatives Hold Special Significance For Buddhist Devotees. The
Buddha Preached The Radha Sutra To The Eighty Four Thousand Faithful Gathered
There. Women Were Ordained For The First Time Into Buddhism. It Was At Vaishali
That The Famous Courtesan Of The Lichchavi Empire, Amrapali, Became A Famous
Devotee Of The Lord. She Once Entreated The Lord To Grace Her House. When
Lord Buddha Graciously Accepted, The Lichchavi Princes Asked Her To Exchange
This Visit For A Hundred Thousand Gold Coins. Amrapali Refused And After
The Lord's Visit, She Was Purged Of Her Impurities And Became A Bhikshuni.
A Hundred Years After Mahaparinirvana, The Second Buddhist Council Was Held
Here Continue your journey to Kushinagar. On arrival check in hotel. Have
Hot Lunch at Chakkia.Overnight at hotel.
Day 08: Kushinagar-Lumbini
After breakfast, sightseeing of Kushinagar. This is the place where
Buddha passed into Parinirvana and was cremated. Mukutabandhana stupa was
built by the Malla dynasty to house the relics of Lord Buddha after his
cremation. The stupa and the temple were rediscovered only in the 1880's.
Visit tothe Sal Tre and Ramabha stupa where Lord Buddha was cremated.
Day 09: Lumbini
After Breakfast sight seeing of Lumbini. Lumbini where Lord Buddha
was born. Emperor Ashok, in
the twenty first years after his coromation
visited the birth's place and reaised a pillar on the spot. Overnight stay
at hotel.
Day 10: Lumbini - Saravasti
After breakfast proceed to Saravasti enroute visit Kapilavastu.
On arrival check-in hotel. After freshen up visit Sarvasti garden which
is an important pilgrimage for Buddhists. Lord Buddha believed to have spent
25 rainy seasons here preaching his teachings.
Day 11: Saravasti - Lucknow - Delhi (O/N on train)
Morning breakfast at hotel and later drive to Lucknow to board
overnight train for Delhi.
Day 12: Delhi-Departure
Morning on arrival met and transfer to hotel for fresh and change.
Later proceed for combined Old and New Delhi sightseeing tour. Visti Bahai
Prayer Hall - Lotus shaped temple, Qutab Minar - The base has a circumference
of 14.40m, which tapers to 2.44m. India Gate - 42m. high memorial arch is
tribute to the 90,000 Indian Soldiers killed during World War 1. President's
House - which was once the viceroy's palace & government buildings.
Rest of the day free time for shopping. Evening, transfer to the airport
to connect flight for onward destination.
