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RELIGIOUS
TOURS
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Path
of the Buddha
(12 nights / 13 days)
Best Season: October - March
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| Places
to visit : Delhi - Lucknow - Sravasti - Balrampur - Lumbini
- Kushinagar - Vaishali - Patna - Nalanda - Rajgir - Bodhgaya
- Varanasi - Agra - Sanchi - Ajanta & Ellora ( Aurangabad)
- Delhi |
Buddhism
founded in North India, is not a religion but a system of
philosophy and code of morality. With 6.6 million Buddhists
in its manifold the country abounds in plethora of monuments
and locales associated with Buddhism.
" O-Bhikshus'
after my death when people and members of new generation
comes and ask you then tell them that here the Buddha was
born, here he attained the full enlightenment, here he turned
the wheel of Dharma twelve times, and here finally the Buddha
entered into Parinirvana. (The Buddha)
Hundreds
of years have gone by, but architectural splendours, still
standing resoundingly are ample testimonial of Buddhist
philosophy and doctrines. It's all possible to come across
with such splendours as we have for you the following tour
plan.
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ITINERARY
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| Day
1. Arrive Delhi |
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Arrive
Delhi. Met upon arrival and transfer to hotel for overnight
stay.
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| Day
2. Delhi / Lucknow / Sravasti / Balrampur ( Morning flight,
drive 208 kms.) |
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Breakfast
at hotel. Morning departure transfer to domestic airport to
board
flight for Lucknow. Arrive Lucknow and transfer to hotel for
lunch. After lunch drive to Balrampur, en-route visit Sravasti,
previously known as Sahet-Maheth. The Buddha spent many monsoons
here preaching to assembled audiences in the presence of King
Prosenjit. The identification of Sahet-Maheth with Saravasti
has been confirmed by the discovery of several relevant inscriptions.
Later check into hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
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| Day
3. Balrampur / Lumbini / Kushinagar ( drive 385 kms.) |
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After
an early breakfast proceed to Lumbini the birthplace of
Lord Buddha.King Ashoka visited Lumbini in 250 BC and erected
a monolithic pillar, 36 feet in height to mark the birthplace
of Lord Buddha. Shakyamuni has remnants of an old monastery
and an image of Maya Devi (Lord Buddha's mother is preserved
here). Lunch at local restaurant. After sightseeing of Lumbini
drive to Kushinagar. Arrive Kushinagar and check into hotel
for dinner and overnight stay.
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| Day
4. Kushinagar / Vaishali / Patna ( drive 253 kms.) |
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Kushinagar
known earlier as Kushinara. It was here that Buddha passed
away into Mahaperinirvana. In this place the Mukutbandhana
Stupa ( Ram Stupa), which was built to hold the Buddha's cremated
remains is naturally considered of great sanctity. There is
also a large recline stone figure of Lord Buddha. After an
early breakfast visit all the places and drive to Patna. En-route
visit Vaishali, which is 55 kms from Patna. Vaishali was thrice
visited by Lord Buddha and the scene of the second great Buddhist
council and it long remained a strong hold of Buddhism. Arrive
Patna and check into hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
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| Day
5. Patna / Nalanda / Rajgir / Bodhgaya, (drive 180 kms.) |
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After
an early breakfast drive to Rajgir, en-route visit Nalanda
(2 hours drive from Patna), then drive to Rajgir. Rajgir
is situated in a lush green valley enclosed by five hills
and historic stonewalls. Rajgirha, Now Rajgir, was once
the ancient capital of powerful kingdom of Magadh. The Buddha
chose this famous for many of his retreats and sermons.
It was here the first Buddhist council was held. After sightseeing
of Rajgir drive again for 3 hours to Bodhgaya. Arrive Bodhgaya
and check into hotel for overnight stay.
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| Day
6. Bodhgaya / Varanasi, drive 243 kms. |
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Set
in silvan solitude on the banks of river Nirnjana, came
to this place after a long-hard journey in search of Supreme
Knowledge. Here under the Bodhi tree, he attained enlightenment.
Early morning visit temple of Bodhgaya. Back to hotel for
breakfast and later drive to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and
check into hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
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| Day
7. Varanasi |
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Early
morning visit Ghats for boat cruise on the Ganges. Then drive
back to hotel for breakfast. After breakfast proceed for Sarnath,
which is 10 kms. from Varanasi. In Sarnath Buddha preached
his first significant sermon to his five disciples. Buddha
came here after achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya. After
sightseeing of Sarnath visit Museum of Sarnath and temples
in the city. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
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| Day
8. Varanasi / Khajuraho, flight |
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Breakfast
at hotel. Morning free. After lunch transfer to airport
to board flight for Khajuraho. Arrive Khajuraho, met upon
arrival and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
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| Day
9. Khajuraho - Agra, flight |
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Morning
proceed for sightseeing of city, visit Eastern and Western
style Temples. After lunch transfer to airport to board flight
for Agra. Arrive Agra, met upon arrival and transfer to hotel
for dinner and overnight stay
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| Day
10. Agra / Bhopal, Shatabdi Exp. |
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Early
morning visit the Taj Mahal. After breakfast transfer to
railway station to catch the train Shatabdi Express for
Bhopal. Arrive Bhopal and transfer to Sanchi for sightseeing.
After sightseeing back to Bhopal for dinner and overnight
stay.
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| Day
11. Bhopal / Bhusaval / Ajanta / Aurangabad, (morning train
& drive 194 kms.) |
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After
an early breakfast transfer to railway station to catch the
train for Bhusaval. Arrive Bhusaval and transfer to Aurangabad,
en-route visit World famous Ajanta Caves. Arrive Aurangabad
and check into hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
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| Day
12. Aurangabad / Ellora / Delhi ( drive 28 kms., evening flight) |
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Breakfast
at hotel. Sightseeing of Ellora Caves. Afternoon free. Evening
transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi
and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
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| Day
13. Delhi / Out |
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Breakfast
at hotel. Combined sightseeing of Old and New Delhi. Dinner
at local restaurant. Later transfer to international airport
to board flight for onward journey.
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