Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

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 to the land of Magadha. At Bodhgaya, after years of penance and deprivation, he attained "Enlightenment" under the sacred Bodhi tree-to become Budha. 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, Bodhagaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Sravasti, Vaishali and Kapilvastu these sacred places of Buddha continue the legacy of this remarkable being who practised and preached peace, purity and love. We invite you now to this special world one not just of spectacualr temples, monasteries and stupas but where you may actually walk in the footsteps of "The Englightened One"-the man, who changed the world.

Tour Highlights

• Lumbini - Visit the grove of Lumbini where the Enlightened one was born.
• Bodhgaya - where He attained elightenment.
• Sarnath - where the wheel of law was set into motion.
• Kushinagar - where He passed into Mahaparinirvana.
• Sightseeing tour of Delhi.
• A visit to world famous Taj Mahal, Agra.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01 : Calcutta/Delhi
Arrive Calcutta/Delhi. Half Day Sightseeing of the city.

Day 02 : Leave Calcutta/Delhi for Patna
Leave Calcutta/Delhi for Patna by air. Drive to Bodhgaya 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 Gridhakuta 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. Overnight in Bodhgaya.

Day 04 : Varanasi
Morning leave Bodhgaya for Varanasi by Surface. Later, excursion to Sarnath. Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 05 : 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. Overnight in Kushinagar.

Day 06 : Lumbini
Leave Kushinagar for Lumbini by surface. Sightseeing of Lumbini where the Lord was born. Emperor Ashoka, in the twenty first year after his coronotion, visited the birthplace and raised a pillar on the spot. Later proceed to Balrampur.

Day 07 : 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 : Delhi
Leave Lucknow for Delhi by air. Half day sightseeing of Old and New Delhi visiting Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar and the Secretarial Buildings. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 09 : Agra
Full day excursion to Agra, city of the Taj Mahal. Also visit Agra Fort and Sikandra. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 10 : Delhi
Day at leisure in Delhi

Day 11 : Leave Delhi
Leave Delhi

Other Suggested Itineraries
(A)
Day 01 : Arrive Gaya (Bodhgaya)
Day 02 : Visit Nalanda / Rajgir, O/N Bodhgaya
Day 03 : Bodhgaya / Varanasi
Day 04 : Varanasi / Kushinagar
Day 05 : Kushinagar / Lumbini
Day 06 : Lumbini / Sravasti
Day 07 : Sravati / Lucknow
Day 08 : Lucknow / Agra
Day 09 : Agra / Delhi-Out
(B)
Day 01 : Arrive Gaya (Bodhgaya)
Day 02 : Bodhgaya-Nalanda / Rajgir. O/N Bodhgaya
Day 03 : Bodhgaya / Varanasi
Day 04 : Varanasi / Kushinagar
Day 05 : Kushinagar / Lumbini
Day 06 : Leave Lumbini

Other Suggested Buddhist Places

• Kapilvastu
• Sankasya
• Kaushabi
• Sanchi
• Ajanta & Ellora
• Nagarjunga Konda
• Amaravati
• Vaishali