Footsteps of Buddha
VISITING: DELHI - PATNA - NALANDA - RAJGIR - BODHGAYA - VARANASI - SARNATH KUSHINAGAR - LUMBINI - KATHMANDU - DELHI
DAY 01: DELHI
Arrive New Delhi.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Check-in time 12 noon.
Delhi– Delhi as the capital of India Delhi is the seat of administration and the monuments which tell the saga of a bygone era stand there. These icons are testimony to the grandeur of past and also an attraction for the tourists. With an area of 1483 sq. Kms, Delhi is all set to acquire full statehood. The charm of Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors and poor in equally. It is correctly said that Delhi is a land of ‘Dilwalas’ or for people with heart. This phrase acquires a true colour when one goes around the lanes of Delhi. Delhi– a window to the kaleidoscope that is India. From a string of historical monuments to modern commercial centers, Delhi has evolved into an exceptional and dynamic destination offering a wealth of shopping and sightseeing activities. Tourism in Delhi has undergone a sea change in recent times as the city is in the process of a steady makeover.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 02: DELHI
Morning guided city sightseeing tour of Old Delhi – having a panoramic view of Red Fort and then visit to Jama Masjid which is considered the biggest in India, Chandni Chowk – a typical Bazaar with narrow lanes and traditional traders Raj Ghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated.
Afternoon guided city sightseeing tour of New Delhi visiting – the Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb, India Gate, Parliament House, Laxmi Narayan Temple [Birla Mandir] Connaught Place and government buildings.
Overnight at your hotel
DAY 03: DELHI – PATNA BY AIR
Morning proceed to airport in time to board flight for Patna.
Assistance on arrival and transfer to your hotel. Later half day guided city sightseeing tour visiting Buddha Stupas , Ashokan Pillar and Bawan Pokhar Temple.
Patna is one of the oldest inhabited places in the world and present day Patna is located on the southern bank of the Ganges, 90 kms from Nalanda. Patna is the capital city of the state of Bihar and was formerly known as Pataliputra, which was the capital of the Mauryan Empire. The name Patna is said to have been derived from Patan which happens to be the name of a Hindu Goddess Patan devi. Patna is now a renowned name in the tourism industry and is an important place of tourist interest housing lots of attractions that reflect its glorious past.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 04: PATNA – NALANDA – RAJGIR – BODHGAYA BY SURFACE (200 KMS / 5 HRS)
Morning proceed to Bodhgaya enroute visiting Nalanda and Rajgir.
Nalanda, where ruins of the great ancient university have been excavated, is situated at a distance of 103 km from Bodhgaya by road. The ruins extend over a large area and represent only a part of the extensive establishment. There are many versions of what the term Nalanda means. One is that Nalam means Lotus and Da means to give. Both combined together, Nalanda means Giver of Lotus. Since Lotus is supposed to represent knowledge, Nalanda means Giver of Knowledge. Today is in ruins but still it imparts the scholarly look. The archaeological zone here is classified into a number of sites that include 11 monasteries and several temples built in red bricks.
Rajgir, though small area wise, is an important pilgrimage center for three of the great religions of India, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. There are pilgrimage sites of each of these religions in the town. On the Vaibhava hill are the Saptkarni caves where the first Buddhist Council was held. The Saptkarni cave is also the source of the Rajgir hot Sulphur springs that have curative properties and are scared to the Hindu’s
Later proceed to Bodhgaya and transfer to your 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,the Enlightened One. Born in the foothills of the Himalayas as a Sakya prince of Kapilvastu (now in Nepal), most of the major events of his life, like enlightenment and last sermon, happened in Bihar. Buddhism as a religion was really born in Bihar and evolved here through his preaching and the example of his lifestyle of great simplicity, renunciation and empathy for everything living. Significantly, the state’s name of ‘Bihar’ originated from ‘Vihara’ meaning monasteries which abounded in Bihar.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 05: BODHGAYA
Full day guided sightseeing of Bodhgaya visiting Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree, Shaivite monastery and famous Jagganath Temple.
Mahabodhi Temple: The temple stands in the east to the Bodhi Tree. Its architectural effect is superb. Its basement is 48 square feet and it rises in the form of a slender Pyramid till it reaches its neck, which is cylindrical in shape. The total height of the temple is 170 ft. and on the top of the temple are Chatras which symbolize sovereignty of religion.
Bodhi Tree: The present Bodhi Tree is probably the fifth succession of the original tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment. Vajrasana, the seat of stability, is a stone platform on which the Buddha is supposed to have sat in meditation gazing east, under the Bodhi tree.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 06: BODHGAYA – VARANASI BY SURFACE (256 KMS / 6 HRS)
Morning proceed to Varanasi enroute visiting countryside.
Varanasi (also known as Banaras) is one of the oldest living cities in the world and the ultimate pilgrimage for Hindus, who believe that to die in the city, is to attain instant salvation. Situated on the banks of the Ganga, Varanasi is the tract of Holy Land lying between the rivers Varuna and Assi. Which flow into Ganga. Varanasi is also known as Kashi.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 07: VARANASI – SARNATH – VARANASI
Early morning boat rides on the Holy Ganges to view the religious activity at the bathing ghats for an insight into the cultural background of India. It provides an absorbing spectacle of thousands of Hindus engaged in their ritual bathing. Visits ghats and temples on the bank of the river.
Later guided excursion to Sarnath – the buried Buddhist city- seven miles from Varanasi where Gautam Buddha delivered his first sermon in the quietness of Deer Park and set the “Wheel of Law,” is where you will visit the Sarnath Museum with the Ashoka Pillar.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 08: VARANASI – KUSHINAGAR BY SURFACE (275 KMS / 7 HRS)
Morning proceed to Kushinagar enroute visiting countryside and transfer to your hotel.
Kushinagar being the place where Buddha dies, this holy place is a highly revered place for the Budddhist pilgrims and stand in the same list, in terms of grade, to other three-parinirvana places. Earlier known as Kushawati and Kushinara, this place has a long and interesting history behind it. The most important aspect for its importance is that Lord Buddha was cremated in Rambhar, which falls in the same region. Also, this place is associated with the great Jain tirthankar Mahaveer, and thus is also a favoured tourist destination for the Jains.
Later guided city sightseeing visiting Nirvana Temple and Rambhar Stupa.
Nirvana Temple: Set in a leafy park at the heart of Kushinagar, the Nirvana Stupa, dating back to the reign of Kumaragupta I (413-55AD), enshrines a giant statue of the Buddha, in a reclining position. It was extensively rebuilt, by Burmese Buddhists, in 1927. The surrounding area is strewn with Stupas, erected by pious pilgrims, and ruins of four monasteries.
Rambhar Stupa: About 1.5 km southeast of the Nirvana Temple, surrounded by rice, wheat and cane fields, lies at the Rambhar Stupa. It was popularly believed to be the place, where Buddha was created by the Mallas.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 09: KUSHINAGAR – LUMBINI BY SURFACE (180 KMS / 4.5 HRS)
Morning proceed to Lumbini enroute visiting countryside and transfer to your hotel.
Lumbini: Another important destination for the Buddhist pilgrims, Lumbini, in Nepal, is the Birthplace of Lord Buddha and houses some of the most revered Buddhist monasteries. Most important of these being, the Maya-Devi Temple and the sacred pond which are associated to the roots of Buddhism.
Later visit Mayadevi temple devoted to Maya Devi, the mother of Lord Buddha, the temple attracts praise for its architectural beauty. Credit of discovering the temple, in 1895, goes to a German archaeologist. The temple is remarkable in the way Maya Devi is shown giving birth to Lord Buddha.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 10: LUMBINI – KATHMANDU BY SURFACE (250 KMS / 6 HRS)
Morning proceed to Kathmandu enroute visiting countryside and transfer to your hotel.
Kathmandu– The very name conjures up images of snow-covered peaks, snake charmers and mountaineers, holy men and sacred cows. Perhaps no other city on earth has seemed so mysterious. This city, capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Nepal, lies in a wide valley hidden behind a wall of nearly impenetrable mountains. The sudden influx of modernity and tourists has made for some interesting and eye-catching contrasts in this Himalayan Shangri-La. Kathmandu Valley is dotted with countless shrines, temples, palace squares, charming old bazaars and ageless sculptures. Very much the abode of Lord Shiva and Gautama Buddha, a patron saint of the Sikhs has also walked here.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 11: KATHMANDU
Morning guided city sightseeing tour of Kathmandu – The capital of the mountain Kingdom of Nepal is situated in a valley at an altitude of 4,550 feet above sea level and is surrounded by the lofty peaks of the world’s highest mountains. Visit to Hanuman Dhoka which is the traditional seat of Royalty in Nepal, Pasupatinath, the temple built in Pagoda style, Kastha Mandap, and interesting temple in wood, Bodhnath and Asan Tole, a typical Nepalese market place.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 12: KATHMANDU
Morning guided excursion to PATAN: The city of grace and fine arts situated across the river Bagmati. The ancient city a storehouse of medieval art and architecture with many Hindu and Buddhist temples, all elaborately carved and ornamented. It is also Nepal’s city of arts and crafts where artisans continue their traditional handiwork in wood and a variety of metals
Afternoon guided excursion to Bhatgaon: Earlier known as Bhaktapur, is the home of medieval art and architecture containing creations of sculptures, woodcarvings and colossal pagodas. It is a city of devotees, which breathes an air of mystery. Its haunting impressions of the Old World are left unspoiled by the psychedelic civilization of today.
Overnight at your hotel.
DAY 10: KATHMANDU OUT
Morning transfer to the airport in time to board flight for onward destination. Check-out time is 12 noon.
Bon Voyage |
Note: all the above arrangements are subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances. |