Best of India Buddha Tour
Duration: 13 Nights / 14 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Sravasti via Lucknow - Sarvasti - Lumbini - Kushinagar - Vaishali - Rajgir - Nalanda - Bodhgaya - Sarnath-Varanasi - Lucknow - Sankasia - Agra - Delhi
Day 1: Arrive at New Delhi.
On Arrival meet and assist to the Hotel. Over night stay at Hotel.
Day 2: Sravasti via Lucknow:
Morning transfer to airport to connect flight for Lucknow. On arrival drive to Sravasti. Visit Sravasti Graden which is an important pilgrimage for Buddhists. Lord Buddha is believed to have spent 25 rainy seasons here preaching his teachings. The Buddha relics from Sravasti, the ancient capital of the Kingdom of Kosala, in India ate enshrined at the Nava Jetavana Viharaya just opposite the archaeological site of the ancient Jetavana Monastery where the Buddha and his chief disciples spent nineteen Rains. The Buddha also spent another six rains at another monastery, the Pubbarama which is also situated in Sravasti. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 03: Sarvasti-Lumbini:
After breakfast drive to Lumbini. After lunch sight seeing of Lumbini where the lord was born Emperor Ashok, in the twenty first years after his coronation visited the Birth places and raised a pillar on the spot. Over night stay at Lumbini.
Day 04: Lumbini-Kushinagar
After Breakfast drive to Kushinagar. After Lunch sightseeing of Kushinagar.Kushinagar is celebrated as the place where Buddha died and was cremated and passed into Parinirvana. Visit the Sal Tree and Ramabhar stupa where Buddha was cremated.Overnight Kushinagar.
Day 05: Kushinagar-Vaishali-Rajgir
After breakfast drive to Rajgir,enroute Vaishali. Vaishali is beleieved to be the first republic of the world,having an elected body of representatives hold special significance for Buddhist devotees.On the way Hot Lunch at Chakkia.On arrival at Rajgir Check in to the Hotel for O/N Stay
Day 06: Rajgir-Nalanda-Bodhgaya
Rajgir Founded in the 5 th Century B.C.,Nalanda was one of the World's great universities and an important Buddhist center. The Buddha Sangha of Japan has constructed a massive Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Peace Pagoda, at the top of this hill to commemorate this event. Although one can take a bridle path up to the Pagoda, the other way is to take the unusual aerial chairlift, for the panoramic view it offers of the surrounding hills.also visit Gridkutta Mountain (Vulture's Peak),Venuvana,and Bimbisara Fort.Also visit the Satparni caves The first Buddhist Council meeting was held in the famous Satparni caves in these hills. These caves also have several curative hot water springs which are sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. Proceed to Bodhgaya. Check in to the Hotel on Arrival.
Day 07: Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya,where the Lord Buddha got enlightenment under a Peepal tree. After Lunch full day visit Mahabodhi temple - is an amalgamation of many cultures and centuries. The highlights of the temple include tall stone lotuses, figures of Buddha sitting in different postures on the walls, his footprints on the stones, and a colossal golden Buddha in the sanctum sanctorum. 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 sacred shrines, which symbolizes the seven weeks that Buddha spent here.. Also visit the Niranjana river. At the end of six years he realised that severe penance would not bring the enlightenment he sought. He broke his fast, eating a little rice pudding offered to him by the girl Sujata who lived in the village of Uruvela. Then he went to the Niranjana river to bathe.
In the days that followed, Siddhartha returned to his former life as a wandering ascetic. He regained his health and strength and continued his quest. However, he remained in the vicinity of the Niranjana river. He was preparing himself for his final struggle to attain the supreme truth.Also visit the famous and the recently built Great Buddha Statue
Day 08: Bodhgaya
Free and Easy
Day 09: Bodhgaya-Sarnath-Varanasi
Post breakfast drive to Varanasi and check into hotel. Varanasi is probably the oldest living city in India and one of the worlds most ancient. It was earlier known as Kasi- the city that illuminates
Day 10: Varanasi
Early morning take a boat rides on the holy river Ganga. Witness the sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from the boat, can be a spiritually uplifting sight. After breakfast drive to Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon after he had attained enlightenment at Budhgaya. A lot has changed here since then but ancient aura is retained in the ruins and gardens. More importantly , at the museum in Sarnath is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions that has beenused as independent India's national emblem.
Day 11: Varanasi-Lucknow.
After Breakfast temple tour of Varanasi.Visit the Bharat Mata Temple ,the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in the famous Beneras Hindu University(BHU).Evening transfer to the railway station to connect train to Lucknow.(Varanasi-Lucknow Intercity 16:20/21:50) On Arrival transfer to the Hotel for O/N Stay.
Day 12: Lucknow-Sankasia-Agra
Start the day early,leave Lucknow till 6 AM,drive to Agra,enroute Sankasia. SANKASYA. BUDDHA'S ASCENT TO AND DESCENT FROM THE TRAYASTRIMSAS HEAVEN, AND OTHER LEGENDS.Continue drive to Agra.Reach Agra by 3 PM.Check in to the Hotel. Overnight Hotel in Agra.
Day 13: Agra-Delhi
After Breakfast Visit the Famous Taj Mahal.It is the Wonder of the world and is known as the Monument of Love.It was built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. After Lunch drive to Delhi.On Arrival check in to the Hotel.
Day 14: New Delhi-Departure
After breakfast Combind tour of New and Old Delhi.Drive past the Qutab Minar - 72.5-m high memorial has 367 steps. India Gate - 42-m. 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. Also visit the Jama Masjid,The Rajghat. Later in the evening transfer to the airport to connect flight for onward destination.
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