» Buddhist Pilgrimage in India
Places Covered : Delhi - Lucknow - Balrampur - Kushinagar - Patna - Bodhgaya - Varanasi
Duration : 09 Nights / 10 Days
This interesting itinerary takes one to almost all of the important places
associated with Lord Buddha. Visit the places that were once the strongholds
of Buddhism in india.Every destination covered in the tour is related to the
birth and life of Lord Buddha along with the rise of Buddhism as a religion
in ancient India.The tour starts from , the birth place of Lord Buddha, Lumbini
where you drive from Lucknow Then to Sarnath & Bodhgaya. Also to be visited
are Nalanda & Patna.
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel for two nights stay.
Day 02 : Delhi
Late morning tour the historic city of old Delhi to include the magnificent
Red Fort, Jama Masjid, largest mosque in Asia, both built by Shahjahan, Rajghat-memorial
to Mahatma Gandhi, the "Father of the Nation". Afternoon, tour of
New Delhi to include Humanyun Tomb, Qutab Minar, India Gate, Birla Mandir, Bahai
Temple. Optional tours in the evening can be arranged for sound and light show
at the Red Fort. or local dance show.
Day 03 : Lucknow
Transfer to airport for flight to Lucknow .On arrival drive to Balrampur via
Sravasti(297 kms- drive time-6 ½ hours).transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 04 : Lumbini
Morning excursion to Lumbini, the place where Buddha was born. Continue drive
to Kushinagar - the place where Buddha passed into Parinirvana for overnight.
Day 05 : Vaishali
Morning Visit Ramabha stupa, Natha Kumarka Kot. Later drive to 2500 year old
ancient city of Patna via Vaishali ,where Lord Buddha preached his last sermons
Visit stupas holding urns containing ashes of Buddha and Ashok pillar erected
by Emperor Ashoka to mark places sanctified by Buddha. The plac
e is also known
now for famous Madhubani paintings. Overnight at hotel.
Day 06 : Bodhgaya
Leave in the morning for Bodhgaya via Rajgir and Nalanda. Visit Gridhrakula,
Sapataparni cave, Ajatsatru fort and Venuvana. Also visit Nalanda and monasteries
and temples with impressive Buddhist & Hindu images. The Institute for research
into Buddhism and Pali literature which houses rare manuscripts, is also worth
visiting for the enthusiasts. Archaeological musuem is also not to be missed
for the rare collections. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 : Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres, the "Bodhi"
tree Satabodhi temple, Japanese and Tibetan monasteries alongwith Magadha university
musuem are also to be visited. Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 : Varanasi
Early morning after breakfast depart for Varanasi (243 kms / 6 hrs) by road
Arrive by afternoon and transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit to Sarnath, the principle
centre of Buddhism. Also visit Dhamekh and Dharmarajika stupas. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 09 : Ganges
Early morning boat ride on river Ganges to see the beautiful sunrise at Ganges.
After breakfast if time permits you may also visit visit ghats and temples and
Benaras Hindu University Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi.Arrive Delhi
and transfer to hotel.Overnight.
Day 10 : Back home
Transfer to airport for flight back home.
