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RELIGIOUS TOURS
Path of the Buddha
(12 nights / 13 days)
Best Season: October - March
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.

ITINERARY
Day 1. Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi. Met upon arrival and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 2. Delhi / Lucknow / Sravasti / Balrampur ( Morning flight, drive 208 kms.)

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.

Day 3. Balrampur / Lumbini / Kushinagar ( drive 385 kms.)

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.

Day 4. Kushinagar / Vaishali / Patna ( drive 253 kms.)

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.

Day 5. Patna / Nalanda / Rajgir / Bodhgaya, (drive 180 kms.)

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.

Day 6. Bodhgaya / Varanasi, drive 243 kms.

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.

Day 7. Varanasi

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.

Day 8. Varanasi / Khajuraho, flight

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.

Day 9. Khajuraho - Agra, flight
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

Day 10. Agra / Bhopal, Shatabdi Exp.

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.

Day 11. Bhopal / Bhusaval / Ajanta / Aurangabad, (morning train & drive 194 kms.)

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.

Day 12. Aurangabad / Ellora / Delhi ( drive 28 kms., evening flight)

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.

Day 13. Delhi / Out

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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