Siddharth Gautam, born the son of a king, grew up in Kapilvastu amidst
luxury and splendour. At the age of 29 he left earthly distraction behind,
to begin his quest for the true meaning of life -a search that took him to
the land of Magadha. At Bodhgaya, after years of penance and deprivation, he
attained "Enlightenment" under the sacred Bodhi tree-to become
Buddha. In the fabled deer park at Sarnath, the Buddha preached his first
sermon. He then travelled widely preaching his philosophy. At the age of 80,
in the forest of Kushinagar, he entered perfect tranquillity-the state of "Parinirvana."
Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Sravasti, Vaishali and Kapilvastu-
these sacred places of Buddha continue the legacy of this remarkable being
who practiced and preached peace, purity and love. We invite you now to this
special world one not just of spectacular temples, monasteries and stupas
but where you may actually walk in the footsteps of "The Enlightened
One"-the man, who changed the world.
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Tour Highlights :
Visit the grove of Lumbini where the Enlightened one was born; Bodhgaya
where He attained enlightenment: Sarnath where the wheel of law was set into
motion and Kushinagar where He passed into Mahaparinirvana. Also included in
this tour is sightseeing of Delhi and visit to the city of the world famous
Taj Mahal, Agra.
Day 01 : Arrive Calcutta or Delhi
Half Day Sightseeing of the city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Calcutta/Delhi - Patna - Bodhgaya
Leave Calcutta/Delhi for Patna by air. Drive to Bodhgaya (125 kms. / 3
hrs.) where the Buddha attained enlightenment and which is one of the most
sacred pilgrimage places 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 Gridha - Kuta or vultures peak where the Buddha
preached, here the first Buddhist Council was held after the Lord's
Mahaparinirvana.
Day 03 : Bodhgaya
Sightseeing of Bodhgaya. Here under the Bodhi Tree, Shakyamuni Gautama
attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha, "the Enlightened one"
the propounder of one of the great relegious of the world. River Nirajnana
in which the Buddha bathed after attaining elightment flows qulitely outside
the tiny hamlet. Overnight in Bodhgaya.
Day 04 : Bodhgaya - Varanasi
Morning leave Bodhgaya for Varanasi (275 kms. / 7-8 hrs.) by Surface.
Later, excursion to Sarnath the place Lord Buddha gave its sermon. Overnight
in Varanasi.
Day 05 : Varanasi - Kushinagar
Early morning boat ride on the River Ganges to see the sun rise and the
bathing ghats of an ancient Hindu city. Later, leave Varanasi for Kushinagar
(250 kms. / 7-8 hrs.). Overnight in Kushinagar.
Day 06 : Kushinagar - Lumbini
Morning visit Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa. Later drive to
Lumbini by surface (170 kms. / 4 hrs.). Sightseeing of Lumbini where the
Lord Buddha was born. Visit the pillar raised by Emperor Ashok, In the
twenty first year after his coronation at the birthplace. Proceed to
Balrampur (197 kms. / 6 hrs.).
Day 07 : Balrampur - Sravasti - Lucknow
Leave Balrampur for Lucknow enroute visit Sravasti ( Sahet-Mahet) capital
of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, an active centre for Buddhism. Overnight
in Lucknow.
Day 08 : Lucknow - Delhi
Leave Lucknow for Delhi by air. Day at leisure. Half day sightseeing of Old
and New Delhi visiting Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar and the
Secretarial Buildings. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 09 : Delhi - Agra - Delhi
Full day excursion to Agra (208 kms / 4 hrs), city of the Taj Mahal. Also
visit Agra Fort and Sikandra. Overnight in Delhi.
Day l0 : Delhi
Day at leisure in Delhi
Day 11 : Delhi - onward destination
Leave Delhi.