
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.
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Half Day Sightseeing of the city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : 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.
Other Suggested Buddhist Places :
• Kapilvastu
• Sankasya
• Kaushambhi
• Sanchi
• Ajanta & Ellora
• Nagarjuna Kanda & Amaravati
• Vaishali


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