Buddhist Tours India
Duration:
10 Nights / 11 Days
Destinations Covered: Delhi
- Patna - Rajgir - Bodhgaya - Varanasi - Sarnath -
Kushinagar - Lumbini - Lucknow
Day 01 - Delhi
Welcome on arrival at Delhi and transfer to hotel.
Day 02 - Delhi
After breakfast, tour the historic city of old Delhi to
include the magnificent Red Fort, Jama Masjid, largest
mosque in Asia, both built by Shahjahan, Rajghat-memorial
to Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of the Nation".
Afternoon, tour of New Delhi to include Humanyun Tomb,
Qutab Minar, India Gate, Birla Mandir, Bahai Temple.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 - Delhi / Patna
Depart for airport for early morning flight to 2500 year
old ancient city of Patna. On arrival at Patna transfer
to hotel. Afternoon excursion to Vaishali where Lord
Buddha preached his last sermon announcing his
approaching Nirvana. Visit stupas holding urns
containing ashes of Buddha and Ashok pillar erected by
Emperor Ashoka to mark places sanctified by Buddha. The
place is also known now for famous Madhubani paintings.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 - Patna / Rajgir
Morning drive down to Rajgir (102 kms / 2 hrs & 30 mins)
capital of 6th century Magadha empire. It was revered
site of Buddhas discourses. Buddha spent many years
here. Visit Gridhrakula, Sapataparni cave, Ajatsatru
fort and Venuvana. Afternoon visit Nalanda - the world's
oldest university founded in the 5th century. Also visit
monasteries and temples with impressive Buddhist & Hindu
images. The Institute for research into Buddhism and
Pali literature which houses rare manuscripts, is also
worth visiting for the enthusiasts. Archaeological
musuem is also not to be missed for the rare
collections. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05 - Rajgir / Bodhgaya
Early morning after breakfast depart for Bodhgaya (193
kms / 4 hrs & 30 mins) by road. Enroute visit Baraliar
caves - the earliest examples of rock cut caves. Most
impressive craftmanship of carving and rock inscription
ca be seen. These caves served as inspiration for the
setting of E.M Foresters "A Passage to India". Arrive
Bodhgaya and overnight in the hotel.
Day 06 - Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage
centres. It was here that Gautama attained enlightenment
and became Buddha under the "Bodhi" tree Satabodhi
temple, Japanese and Tibetan monasteries alongwith
Magadha university musuem are also to be visited.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 - Bodhgaya / Varansi
Early morning after breakfast depart for Varanasi (243
kms / 6 hrs) by road (if one so desires one can go by
train to Varanasi for Gaya). Arrive by afternoon and
transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit ghats and temples and
Benaras Hindu University. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 - Varanasi / Sarnath
Early morning boat ride on river Ganges to see the
beautiful sunrise at Ganges. After breakfast excursion
to Sarnath, the principle centre of Buddhism. It was
here around 530 B.C that Buddha preached his 1st sermon
after gaining enlightenment. Also visit Dhamekh and
Dharmarajika stupas.
Day 09 - Varanasi / Kishinagar
Afternoon drive to Kushinagar - the place where Buddha
passed into Parinirvana. Visit Ramabha stupa which
stands on the spot where the body of the Lord was
cremated. Also visit Natha Kumarka Kot enshrining the
large recumbent figure of Buddha in the state of
Nirvana. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10 - Kushinagar / Lumbini / Sravasti
Morning excursion to Lumbini, the place where Buddha was
born. An ancient shrine with an image representing the
nativity of Buddha is still preserved. Afternoon drive
to Balrampur and visit Sravasti and other Buddhist
shrines enroute. Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 - Balrampur / Lucknow / Delhi
Drive to Lucknow to catch flight to Delhi. On arrival,
transfer to international airport for flight to onward
destination.
