Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours

Duration:08 Nights / 09 Days

Destinations Covered: Delhi > Patna > Bodhgaya > Nalanda > Rajgir > Bodhgaya > Varanasi > Kushinagar> Lumbini > Sravasti > Kanpur > Delhi

Tathagat or Prince Siddharth (Later Gautam Buddha) was the founder of Buddhism. Lumbini a place in the foothills of Terai (Nepal) was his birthplace. It is Bodhgaya, Buddha got enlightenment and delivered his first sermon in Sarnath. Buddhism lays emphasis on simplicity, renunciation and empathy for all living creature for a happy living and nirvana or moksha is the end goal. There are many places which are associated with the Buddhist mysticism for example. Bodhgaya, where Gautam Buddha attained "Enlightenment" under the sacred Bodhi tree, Sarnath, Kushinagar. There are numerous Buddhist Monastries in the states of Himachal Pradesh, Tripura, Ladakh. It is said that Buddha traveled widely preaching his philosophy. At the age of 80, in the forest of Kushinagar, he entered perfect tranquility-the state of "Parinirvana"(death). Every year visitors from all parts of the world come here to visit these places, where Gautam Buddha preached peace, purity and love.

LUMBINI :

The birth place of Lord Buddha, the Shakya prince and the ultimate Buddha, the enlightened one, is the pilgrimage destination of the World’s millions of people faithful to all schools of Buddhims. This nativity site, identified by Indian emperor Ashoka’s Commemorative Pillar is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO

Prime Sites :

The main attraction at Lumbini remains the Sacred Garden spread over 8 Sq. Km. The Maya Devi Temple is the main attraction for pilgrims. The Ashokan Pillar which was erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC. To the south of the Pillar we find the sacred pond, Puskarini, where Queen Mayadevi had taken a bath just before giving birth to the Buddha.

Day 01 : Delhi

Arrival to Delhi Arrival to Delhi and Overnight at Hotel.

Day 02 : Delhi - Patna

Morning City sighting of Red Fort,Museum, after lunch Visit India Gate Home Evening board Train at 1800 hrs for Patna. Overnight at Train.

Day 03 : Patna - Bodhgaya - Nalanda - Rajgir

Morning arrive Patna at 10.00 hrs drive to Bodhgaya where the Buddha attained enlightenment and which is one of the most sacred pilgrimage place for the Buddhist. Enroute visit 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. Arrive in Bodhgaya and overnight in Bodhgaya.

Day 04 : Bodhgaya

Sightseeing of Bodhgaya visiting Mahabodhi temple. Overnight in Bodhgaya.

Day 05 : Bodhgaya - Varanasi

Morning leave Bodhgaya for Varanasi by surface. On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 06 : Varanasi - Kushinagar

Early morning boat ride on the river Ganges to see the sunrise and the bathing Ghats of an ancient Hindu city. Later leave Varanasi for Kushinagar. Overnight in Kushinagar.

Day 07 : Kushinagar - Lumbini

Morning visit Nirvana Stupa, Nirvana Temple, Mathakuar Shrine, Afternoon Leave Kushinagar for Lumbini (in Nepal) by surface. Sightseeing of Lumbini where Lord was born. Emperor Ashoka, in the twenty first year after his coronation, visited this Birthplace and raised a pillar on the spot. Overnight Lumbini.

Day 08 : Lumbini - Sravasti - Kanpur - Delhi

Morning transfer to Sravasti (Sahet-Mahet), capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kosala, an active centre for Buddhism. After sighseeing proceed Kanpur on arrival board Rajdhani Express .

Day 09 : Delhi

Arrive At Delhi cleaning & fresheningat Hotel. Day free. Evening transfer to airport to board flight.