Cultural - Foot Steps of Buddha Tour
Duration : 12 Nights / 13 Days
Destinations : Delhi - Lucknow - Sarasvati - Lumbini - Kushinagar - Vaishali - Patna - Nalanda -
Rajgir - Bodhgaya - Varanasi - Delhi
Day 1 : Delhi - Lucknow - Saravasti
Transfer from your place of stay to the Railway Station in time for: Delhi at 0620 hours by SHATABDI EXP Ar: Lucknow at 1235 hoursMeeting and assistance upon arrival at the Railway Station and drive to Saravasti (192 kms/4.5 hours).On arrival check-in at the hotel.
Day 2 : Saravasti
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing tour of Saravasti. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon free. Overnight at the hotel.
The Chinese Pilgrim Hiouen Thsang found the old city in ruins, but recorded the sites of various buildings, of the ancient Savatthi the city walls are still standing. Within these, the remains of 3 ancient buildings can be visited: Angulimala's stupa, Anathapindika's stupa, and an old temple dedicated to a Jain Tirthankara. Outside of Sarasvati is located the stupa where the Twin Miracle (Pali:Yamaka Patihara) took place. The site of Jetavana monastery is the main pilgrim destination, with meditation and chanting mainly done at the Gandhakuti (Buddha's hut) and the Anandabodhi tree. Buddhist monasteries from the following countries have been constructed at Sravasti: Thailand, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Tibet and China.
Day 3 : Saravasti - Lumbini
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive from Saravasti to Lumbini (210 kms/ 5-6 hours). On arrival check-in at the hotel.. Rest of the Day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel
Day 4 : Lumbini
Breakfast at the hotel.Morning sightseeing tour of Lumbini. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Lumbini is located in Rupandehi District, Lumbini Zone of Nepal. It the place where Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, Lumbini is located 25 km east of the municipality of Kapilavastu, the place where the Buddha grew up and lived up to the age of 29. Kapilvastu is the name of place as well as the neighboring district. Lumbini has various Buddhist temples including the Mayadevi temple and many which are recently constructed. There is also the Puskarini pond and remains of Kapilvastu palace in Lumbini. There are other sites near Lumbini where, according to Buddhist tradition, previous Buddhas were born and achieved enlightenment and died.
Day 5 : LumbiniI - Kushinagar
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive from Lumbini to Kushinagar (130 kms/ 3-4 hours). On arrival check-in at the hotel. Lunch at the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Kushinagar. Dinner & Overnight at the hotel.
Kushinagar east of Gorakhpur is clebrated as the place where the Buddha died at the age of 80 and was cremated and passed into Parinirvana. This place is one of four major Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Monasteries established after the Buddha’s death flourished here until the 13th century. In the main site, the core of the Main Stupa possibly dates from Ashoka’s time with the Parinirvana Temple. The restored 6 m recumbent sandstone figure of the dying Buddha in a shrine in front , may have been brought from Mathura by the monk Haribala during King Kumargupta’s reigon (413—455 AD). Excavations were begun here by the archaeological syrvey of India in 1904—05, following clues left by the Chinese.
Day 6 : Kushinagar - Vaishali - Patna
Early morning after breakfast, drive from Kushinagar to Vaishali (290 kms/6-7 hours). Vaishali was once a capital city of the Licchavis and the Vajjian Confederacy. After the visit drive towards Patna (55 kms/2 hours). On arrival check in at hotel. Overnight at Patna.
Day 7 : Patna - Nalanda - Rajgir
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive from Patna to Nalanda (90 kms/2.5 hours). After visit drive from Nalanda to Rajgir (13 kms). On arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest of the Day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Nalanda is an ancient university in India. The Chinese pilgrim-monk Xuanzang gives several explanations of the name Nalanda. One is that it was named after the Naga who lived in a tank in the middle of the mango grove. Another - and accepted by him - is that the Bodhisatta once had his capital here and gave "alms without intermission," hence the name. It is located about 55 miles south east of Patna, and was a Buddhist center of learning from 427 CE to 1197 CE partly under the Pala Empire. It has been called "one of the first great universities in recorded history.
Day 8 : Rajgir
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing tour of Rajgir. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Rajgir 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 9 : Rajgir - Bodhgaya
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive from Rajgir to Bodhgaya (90 kms/3 hours). On arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest of the Day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 10 : Bodhgaya
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya. Afternoon at leisure. Overnight at the hotel
Bodhgaya in the state of Bihar, reckoned as the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centre, is the place where Lord Sakyamuni (Gautam Buddha) entered into meditation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind. Morning sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya visiting Mahabodi Temple. The magnificent Maha Bodhi temple in Bodhgaya is an architectural amalgamation of many cultures.
Day 11 : Bodhgaya - Varanasi
Breakfast at the hotel. Drive from Bodhgaya to Varanasi (275 kms/ 7-8 hours). On arrival check-in at the hotel. Rest of the Day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 12 : Varanasi
Enjoy early morning boat ride on the sacred river Ganges. After breakfast go for a site seeing tour of Varanasi. Visit Bharat Mata Temple, Monkey Temple and Banaras Hindu University. Later visit Sarnath, where lord Buddha delivered his first sermon. Evening free at leisure. Overnight at Varanasi.
Day 13 : Varanasi - Delhi - Abroad
Breakfast at the hotel. Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer from hotel to the airport in time for Delhi. Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer from domestic to international airport to connect your onward flight.
