IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE BUDDHA
The serenity of Buddhism has spread universally.
For the devout, a journey to Rajgir, Bodhgaya, Sarnath
and Varanasi is nothing short of a moving pilgrimage
in the foot steps of the Buddha. Buddhism has inspired
one of the most dynamic art and architecture movements
of the world. The eight events which are repeatedly
represented in Buddhist art, are associated with
Lumbini his birth place, Bodhgaya where he attained
enlightenment, Sarnath his first sermon, Rajgir
where he tamed a wild elephant Sravasti-a great
miracle, San kasya, where he descended from Heaven
and Kushinagar where he died.
DELHI / PATNA /RAJGIR / BODHGAYA
/VARANASI /
Day 1. DELHI /PATNA :
Depart Delhi by morning flight to 2500 year old
ancient city of Patna. Transfer to hotel. Afternoon
excursion to Vaishali (1 hour) the place where the
Buddha preached his last sermon, announcing his
approaching Nirvana. Visit the stupa, holding urns
containing ashes of the Buddha and the Ashoka pillar
which were erected by the Mauryan emperor Ashoka
to mark the place sanctified by the Buddha. Vaishali
is also famous for Madhubani paintings on the walls
of village houses. Overnight Patna.
Day 1. PATNA / RAJGIR:
Morning drive to Rajgir (2 hrs) capital of the 6th
century Magadha empire. It was the revered site
of the Buddha's religious discourses. The Buddha
spent many years here, tending the regions hills
and wilderness ideal for contemplation. Visit the
Gridhrakuta, Saptaparni Cave, Ajatasatru fort and
Venuvana. After noon, visit to Nalanda, the worlds
oldest university founded in the 5th century. Visit
the monasteries and temples with impressive Buddhist
and Hindu images, also visit Institute for Research
into Buddhism and Pali literature which houses rare
manuscripts. Also visit archeological museum. Overnight
Rajgir.
Day3. RAJGIR/ BODHGAYA:
Early morning drive to Bodhgaya enroute visit Borobar
coves (4 hrs walk) earliest examples of rock
cut sanctuaries. Mast impressive craftsmanship of
carving and inscriptions can be seen.The caves are
also the inspiration of the setting of E.M.Foresters
"A Passage to India".
Arrive Bodhgaya in The evening. Check into hotel.
Overnight Bodhgaya.
Day 4. BODHGAYA:
Isone of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centers,
for, itwas here that Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment
to become the Buddha. Visit the Stahabodhi temple,
Japanese and Tibetan monasteries, Magadha university
and museum. Overnight Bodhgaya.
Day 5. BODHGAYA / VARANASI :
Early morning depart for Varanasi (optional by train
from Gaya). Arrive by lunch. Check into hotel. Afternoon
city sightseeing visiting ghats and temples. Evening
boat cruise on the Ganges. Overnight Varanasi.
Day 6. VARANASI / SARNATH / KUSHINAGAR
/ GORAKHPUR:
Morning, excursion to Sarnath (10km). The principal
center of Buddhism. It was here around 530 BC that
Buddha preached his first sermon after gaining enlightenment.
Visit the Dhamekh and the Dharmorajika stupas and
the Buddhist shrines. Afternoon, drive to Kushinagar,
the place where the Buddha passed into parinirvan
or Visit stupas and monasteries. Overnight
Gorakhpur.
Day 7. GORAKHPUR / BALRAMPUR :
Visit Sravasti & Buddhist shrines Overnight
Balrampur
Day 8. LUCKNOW :
Drive to Lucknow (150 kms) to board for flight to
Delhi.
OPTION AND EXTENSIONS
1. Day return toLumbini from Kushinagar.
2. Extension toDharamsala to visit Dalai Lama
& other Buddhist sights in Himachal.
BEST TIME:
October to April
.
India
Tour Packages