10 Days
Duration
Oct- Apr
Availability
Delhi
Location

THE GREAT BUDDHA TOUR

Indian Buddhist Tour is a joyful discovery of Buddhist heritage ingrained in India. From Delhi, the journey moves to the epicenter of Buddhism – Bodhgaya, Rajgir or ancient Rajagriha, the site of first sermon in Sarnath near Varanasi, Kushinagar – the site of final Mahaparinirvana, Lumbini, the site of his birth and Sravasti, the site of Jetavana shelters.
INCLUSIONEXCLUSION
  • Hotel Stay
  • Transfers & Sight seeing in Pvt Vehicle
  • English Speaking Local Guide( on request)
  • 1 Ltr Mineral Water Bottle per pax
  • Toll & Parking etc
  • Monuments and Entry fees
  • Lunch, Snacks and other meals
  • Laundry, Phone calls for personal use
  • Tips
  • Usage or deviation other than mentioned itinerary.

Welcome to Delhi! After clearing Customs and Immigration make your way through the terminal. Your representative will greet you at the ‘meeting point’ at the exit and transfer you to your hotel check in and enjoy the remainder of the evening at leisure exploring the sights and sounds of Delhi.

Early Morning transfer to Delhi railway station to Depart for Lucknow by Shatabdi Express .On arrival lunch at Lucknow and later proceed for Sravasti by surface (150 Km / 4 Hrs) Arrive check in at the hotel . Śrāvastī a city of ancient India, was one of the six largest cities in India during Gautama Buddha’s lifetime. Evening at the hotel, Dinner and night stay at the hotel.

After breakfast at the hotel we leave by surface for Lumbini a Buddhist pilgrimage site in the Rupandehi district of Nepal. Arrive afternoon check in at the hotel and relaxed lunch. Later in the afternoon we visit the birth place of Lord Buddha It is the place where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who as the Buddha Gautama founded the Buddhist tradition. Lumbini is one of four magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha, the others being at Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath.
Lumbini has a number of temples, including the Mayadevi temple and others under construction. Also located here is the Puskarini or Holy Pond where the Buddha’s mother took the ritual dip prior to his birth and where he, too, had his first bath, as well as the remains of Kapilvastu palace.
Evening at the hotel, Dinner and night stay at the hotel.

After breakfast, check out and proceed by surface for Kushinagar en route visit Gorakhpur. Arrive at kushinagar a district of the eastern Uttar Pradesh, is known for its cultural heritage all over the world. It is one of the four holiest places for the Buddhists. At Kushinagar, Great Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism, delivered his last sermon. Outside India, it is an International Buddhist Pilgrimage Centre.

Check in at the hotel, lunch and visit Visit Nirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.

Early breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed by surface for Patna. On arrival check in hotel. Dinner and Night stay.

Early Breakfast at the hotel, we leave by surface for Bodhgaya en route visiting Nalanda and Rajgir. Rajgir -The picturesque Rajgir, or Rajagriha as it was known in the past (literally, the abode of kings) is surrounded by the meandering river Banganga and 5 hills. During the lifetime of the Buddha this was the capital of the powerful Magadhan kingdom, ruled by the virtuous King Bimbisara. The hills and caves surrounding Rajagriha were home to spiritual teachers, ranging from the materialism of the early Charavaka School to the metaphysics of Upanishadic philosophers. Like many others in search of truth, Prince Siddhartha, after he renounced his royal heritage came to this city to seek the path of vation. Nalanda -Nalanda was the most renowned university in ancient India. It derived its name from Na-alam-da, meaning Insatiable in Giving, one of the names by which the Lord Buddha was known.

Arrive Bodhgaya check in at the hotel, Dinner and night stay

After breakfast visit Mahabodhi Temple: Inside the temple, in the main sanctum, there is a colossal image of the Buddha in sitting posture touching the earth by his right hand. In this posture the Buddha accomplished the supreme enlightenment. The statue is of black stone but it has been guilder by the devotees. The entire courtyard of the temple is studded with large number of votive stupas. These stupas are of all sizes built during the past 2500 years ago. Most of them are extremely elegant in structural beauty. The ancient railings, which surround the temple, are of the first century BC and are among the very interesting monuments of the century. Later visit Niranjana River.

Day at leisure, explore Bodhgaya. Dinner and night stay at the hotel.

Morning after breakfast we proceed by surface for Varanasi, Arrive check in evening at leisure, Dinner and stay at the hotel.

After breakfast we proceed for the tour of Sarnath. Visit Chaukhandi Stupa Chaukhandi is the first monument one encounters as one enters Sarnath. It is a lofty mound of brick – work whose square edifice is surrounded by a Octagonal tower it is said to be built by Emperor Ashoka. Dhamek Stupa is the remarkable structure at Sarnath, is the cylindrical Dhamek stupa, 28 mts. in diameter at the base and 43.6 mts. in height, built party of stone and partly of brick. The stone facing the lower part is adorned with delicate floral carvings of Gupta origin. Mulagandha Kuti Vihar This modern temple has been erected by the Mahabodhi Society. It has excellent Frescoes made by Kosetsu Nosu, Japan’s foremost painter and is a rich repository of Buddhist literature. The ancient Mulagandha Kuti Temple is among the brick ruins of Sarnath.

Later in the day visit Sarnath Museum yielded a rich collection of Buddhist sculptures comprising numerous Buddha and Bodhisattva images. Considered amongst the finest specimens of Buddhist art, these have been housed at the museum, adjacent to the site. The museum is open from 10 AM to 5 PM, and closed on Fridays. Apart from the above the other objects of Interest at Sarnath are the Dharmrajika Stupa, magnificent Lion capital, India’s National Emblem at Sarnath Museum, the Saddharmachakra Vihar’s at excavated ruins.

Back to the hotel Dinner and night stay.

Early breakfast at the hotel, check out and transfer to the airport with the sweet memories of your vacation and the experience which you can share with your family and friends and cherish all your life.