EXPLORE BUDDHIST TOUR IN INDIA

Route : Delhi – Lucknow – Sravasti – Lumbini – Kushinagar – Varanasi – Bodhgaya – Patna – Delhi

Duration : 8 days 7 nights

DAY 01 : ARRIVE DELHI

Meet on arrival at Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

 DAY 2 : DELHI – LUCKNOW – SRAVASTI

Leave Delhi by flight or train for Lucknow in the morning. Upon arrival at Lucknow you will be driven to Sravasti (170 km). Sravasti was the capital of Kosala Mahajanapada in ancient times. Sravasti is also known as Sahet-Mahet. Sravasti is renowned for the supernatural feats showed by Lord Buddha, sitting on a lotus, and for other stories that are linked with Buddha. It is said that Lord Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons at Sravasti. On reaching Sravasti you will be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Sravasti situated 134 km from Lucknow and 29 km from Balrampur, Sravasti, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens. It is sacred to Buddhists because it is here that Lord Buddha performed the Tirthika heretics.

 DAY 03 : SRAVASTI – LUMBINI

After breakfast at the hotel you will be taken for a sightseeing tour of Sahet Mahet (once the capital of ancient Kingdom of Kosala), Jetvana Vihar and Buddhist temples. From Sravasti you will be driven to Lumbini (in Nepal, 225 km). Upon arrival at Lumbini you will be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel. Lumbini is the birthplace of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism. Lumbini is also one of the UNESCO world heritage sites.

DAY 04 : LUMBINI – KUSHINAGAR

After breakfast you will be taken for a sightseeing tour of Lumbini. Sightseeing covers Mayadevi temple, Ashokan Pillar, Buddhist temples, Pushkarni (the sacred pool), sanctum sanctorum of Buddha’s birthplace and stupas. After Lumbini you will head for another sacred Buddhist place, Kushinagar (161km). On reaching Kushinagar you will be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel. Kushinagar is the place of Buddha’s Mahaparinirvana (the final bowing out). Located at 55 km from Gorakhpur, Kushinagar is the place where the Lord Buddha uttered his last words “Behold now, brethren, I exhort you, saying, decay is inherent in all component things! Work out your salvation with diligence!” and left for the heaven. A temple dedicated to the event – the Mahaparinirvana temple, stands testimony to the mournful demise. Among the various Stupas of Kushinagar, Rambhar Stupa needs your exploration for it is the place where Lord Buddha was supposedly cremated.

DAY 05 : KUSHINAGAR- VARANASI

In the morning you will visit the Mahaparinirvana temple and the Ramabhar Stupa (the cremation place of Lord Buddha). Breakfast follows a drive to Varanasi (260 km). On arrival at Varanasi you will be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Sarnath enjoys the extraordinary privilege of Lord Buddha delivering his first sermon after attaining enlightenment 2500 years ago. It is about 10 km from Varanasi and holds a number of Buddhist sites that include the famous Dhamekh Stupa, the seat of the holy ‘Buddha’. You can also visit the ruins of Dharmajajika Stupa and Mulgandhakuti Temple, where Lord Buddha is said to have rested and meditated while in Sarnath. The Ashoka Pillar built by the emperor Ashoka is a must see in Sarnath. The Lion Capital on top of this pillar is now the National Emblem of India and stands apart for its excellent artistry and carvings.

DAY 06 : VARANASI – BODHGAYA

Early in the morning you will be taken to Ganga Ghats for a boat ride on the Ganges to see bathing and cremation rituals. Morning city tour of Varanasi follows after breakfast. Sightseeing tour covers the Bharat Mata temple, the Banaras Hindu University, Vishwanath temple etc. You will leave Varanasi for Bodhgaya (242 km) via Sarnath. Sarnath is the place where Lord Buddha gave his first Sermon. Attractions at Sarnath include the Buddhist temple, Stupas, Archaeological museum and ancient ruins. On arrival at Bodhgaya, you will be transferred to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel.

Bodhgaya is one of the most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in the world. It was here under a banyan tree, the Bodhi Tree, Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha.

DAY 07 : BODHGAYA- PATNA – DELHI (BY OVERNIGHT TRAIN)

Breakfast at hotel follows a visit to the Mahabodhi temple and other monuments and edifices associated with Buddhism. From Bodhgaya you will be driven to Patna via Rajgir and Nalanda.

Rajgir is a place of great significance for Buddhists and Jains. Lord Buddha spent 12 years at Rajgir and the first Buddhist council was held here. Sightseeing at Rajgir covers the Gridhakuta Hill, Bimbisara Jail and other Jain and Buddha monuments. From Rajgir you will be driven to Nalanda (14 km).

Nalanda was a great center of learning in ancient times. Nalanda was one of the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world. At Nalanda you will visit the ruins of the Nalanda University, temples and stupas. From Nalanda you will head for Patna (90km). On arrival at Patna transfer to railway station to connect train for Delhi.

DAY 8 : ARRIVE DELHI AND TRANSFER TO AIRPORT

Upon arrival at Delhi transfer to the international airport for onward destination.

Remark :

• The price is per pax and valid with a minimum of 2-4 pax travelling together.
• Include : accommodation (3 star hotel), transportation (a/c bus / car, toll & state tax, petrol & parking charges, driver allowance), english speaking guide, meals as stated in the itinerary, entance fees, flights tickets Delhi / Lucknow, train tickets Patna / Delhi by A/c 2nd class.
• Exclude : airlines ticket from your country to India & airport tax, visa, travel insurance, personal expenses, any tips, any hard drink, any jackets, shoes, sketings, gondala charge extra.