Duration:
12 Days
Destination :
Delhi – Agra – Lucknow – Sravasti - Lumbini - Kushinagar - Patna - Vaishali - Nalanda - Rajgir - Bodhgaya - Varanasi (Sarnath)
Price :
Price On Request
Overview
This 12 days Buddhist Tour of India includes Delhi, Agra, Lucknow, Sravasti, Lumbini, Kushinagar, Patna, Vaishali, Nalanda, Rajgir, Bodhgaya, and Varanasi (Sarnath)
India & Nepal, both are fascinating neighbouring countries to get enthrall in real times. In modern times, Nepal has emerged as a popular tourist circuit when blended with India.
Along with Hinduism, India is home to several other Indic religions too, one of which is Buddhism that went well beyond the borders of India.
Gautam Buddha was born a prince in Lumbini as prince Siddhartha.
His journey in search of answers to a number of questions about life and sufferings brought him to India.
After several years of meditation, he attained ‘nirvana’ (enlightenment). Later, he preached to the masses, till he left to the heavenly abode from Kushinagar.
This Buddhist Tour of India comprises four places that were extremely significant in his life– the place where he was born, place where he attained Enlightenment, place where he preached first Sermon and finally where he attained Nirvana.
Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Lumbini and Kushinagar are the important places that are related directly to the life and teachings of Lord Buddha.
In addition to these, there are various other important sites too where he traveled during his lifetime.
These include Lumbini in Nepal and Bodhgaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar in India.
Other important places related to Buddha’s life include Vaishali, Rajgir, Sravasti (India) and his early home in Kapilvastu, Nepal.
Itinerary
Arrive Delhi (by flight)
Upon arrival at Delhi airport meet our representative for transfer to hotel.
Check-in to hotel.
Afternoon half day city tour of Delhi (depending upon the international flight timings)
Overnight at Hotel
Delhi – Agra (approx 4 hrs drive)
Breakfast at hotel
Morning drive to Agra.
Check-in to hotel in Agra.
Afternoon visit Agra Fort & Sunset visit Taj Mahal (remain close on Fridays)
Overnight at Hotel
Agra – Lucknow (approx 7 hrs drive)
Breakfast at hotel
Morning drive to Sankissa (place where Lord Buddha returned from heaven after teaching Abhidhamma).
Explore Lord Buddha Temple, Ashokan Elephant Pillar and Maya Devi Temple.
Later continue drive to Lucknow.
Check-in to hotel.
Overnight at Hotel
Lucknow – Sravasti (approx 5 hrs drive)
Breakfast at hotel
Morning drive to Sravasti.
Afternoon visit Maheth-Pakkikuti (Angulimal Caves) & Kachchi Kuti, Saheth- Jetavana, The World Peace Bell, Thai Meditation Centre in Shravasti.
Check-in to hotel.
Overnight at Hotel
Sravasti – Kapilavastu – Lumbini (approx 5 hrs drive)
Breakfast at hotel
Early morning drive to Lumbini
IMP: Kindly obtain double entry visa for India & single entry visa for Nepal well in advance to save time at the border.
Evening time permit will do sightseeing. If not then will do next morning before drive to Kushinagar.
Overnight at Hotel
Lumbini – Kushinagar (approx 5 hrs drive)
Breakfast at hotel
Morning start your visit Holy Birth place of Siddhartha Gautama .
Later, drive to other Local Sightseeing of Lumbini like Maya Devi Temple, Eternal Peace Flame, Lumbini Museum, Thai Buddhist Monastery and Myanmar Golden Temple .
Later afternoon drive to Kushinagar.
Check into hotel
Overnight at Hotel
Kushinagar – Vaishali – Patna (approx 7 hrs drive)
Breakfast at hotel
Morning visit Mahaparinirvana Temple ( where Buddha took his last breath), Rambhar Stupa ( cremation site of Lord Buddha) and Japan Temple .
Later drive to Patna en-route visit Kesaria to cover Biggest Ancient Buddhist Stupa-Kesaria Stupa .
Later drive to Last Sermon Place of Lord Buddha in Vaishali . Later, visit other Sightseeing of Vaishali like Ashokan Pillar, Ananda Stupa , Abhishek Pushkaran , Buddha Stupas , Kutagar Shala Vihara and more.
Later, drive to Patna. Check-in to hotel. Have dinner and night stay in Patna.
Check into hotel
Overnight at Hotel
Patna – Nalanda – Rajgir – Bodhgaya (approx 6-7 hrs drive)
Breakfast at hotel
Morning drive to visit Nalanda University Ruins Archaeological Complex . 10,000 monks and professors resided here at that time.
After the walk around the ruins, visit the Xuan Zang Memorial Hall which is a Chinese Pagoda.
Later, drive for Rajgir , the Ancient Capital of the Magadha Empire and is a pilgrimage for Buddhists.
The Japanese Buddhists have built the massive Vishwa Shanti Stupa on the Ratnagiri Hill. The stupa has statues of Buddha at the four stages of his life - birth, enlightenment, teaching and death.
Griddhakuta (Vulture Peak) is another site where Lord Buddha stopped by to preach. Also visit Venuvanaram and Bimbisar Prison .
After lunch, drive to Bodhgaya.
Check into hotel
Overnight at Hotel
In Bodhgaya
Breakfast at hotel
After breakfast visit Lord Buddha Temple (Mahabodhi Temple) . Explore other Local Sightseeing of Bodhgaya like Bodhi Tree under which Lord Buddha got enlightenment and Buddhist Monasteries .
The Mahabodhi Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and world famous Buddhist Pilgrimage place in India built adjacent to the site of enlightenment in the 6th century AD.
Later, drive to Gaya, visit Dungeshwari Cave Temples also known as the Mahakala Caves. Lord Buddha underwent years of penance here before he descended to Bodhgaya. Also cover, Sujata Village Temple.
Drive back to Bodhgaya.
Overnight at Hotel
Bodhgaya –Varanasi (approx 7 hrs drive)
Breakfast at hotel
Morning drive to Varanasi.
Check-in to hotel.
In evening, get ready to experience one of the most memorable moments of your life, as you will be taken for world famous Ganga Aarti at Dashaswamedh Ghat.
Get a glimpse of the cultural diversity and social and religious activities being carried out at the Ganga Ghats .
Overnight at Hotel
In Varanasi
Early morning feel spirituality of Subah-e-Banaras in Varanasi in which you will enjoy Boat Ride in the Ganges during Sunrise.
Experience the different Ghats of Varanasi . Each Ghat has its own history and value.
Come back to hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, we will be taken for an excursion to Sarnath. Sarnath is the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples at deer park(Rishipattana).
Other Local Sightseeing of Sarnath is the Buddha Temples , Dhamekha Stupa , Chaukhandi Stupa , Mulagandh Kuti Vihara and the Archaeological Museum .
Later afternoon explore the local market & street of Varanasi.
Overnight at Hotel
Varanasi – Delhi (by flight TBA)
Breakfast at hotel
Morning drive to Varanasi airport to board flight to Delhi.
Upon arrival at Delhi airport connect flight to home town.