Buddhist Trail, India
Sample Itinerary
DAY 1
Arrive Gaya
- Meeting and assistance on arrival & transfer from airport to hotel in Bodhgaya.
- In Evening proceed for Bodhgaya sightseeing including Mahabodhi Temple which 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. Four towers on its corners rise gracefully giving the holy structure a poise balance. This sacred edifice is like a grand banner unfurled by time to proclaim to the world the pious efforts of the Buddha to solve the knots of human miseries, to ascend above worldly problems and to attain transcendental peace through wisdom, good conduct and disciplined life
- Buffet Dinner & Overnight at the Hotel in Bodhgaya
DAY 2
Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna
- After breakfast; proceed to Patna by surface and en-route visit to Rajgir & Nalanda.
- Venuvana – Bamboo Grove: This was the king’s first offering to Lord Buddha, he donated the famous Bamboo Grove or Venuvana, the first donation of a park (arama), to the Buddha and Sangha. The cemetery is believed to be the site of the Venuvana Vihara built by Bimbisara for the Buddha’s residence. In the vicinity of Venuvana is a large pond with a Buddha image at the centre. This pond is believed to be the site of the Karanda tank mentioned in Buddhist text as the Karanda kanivapa where the Buddha used to take his bath.
- Continue to NALANDA which is the name of an ancient university. Nalanda is one of the places distinguished as having been blessed by the presence of the Buddha; it later became renowned as the site of the great monastic university of the same name, which was to become the crown jewel of the development of Buddhism in India. Nalanda was one of his epithets meaning “insatiable in giving”.
- Nalanda University Ruins Archaeological Complex: Nalanda was one of the world’s first residential universities, i.e., it had dormitories for students. It is also one of the most famous universities. In its heyday, it accommodated over 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers. The university was considered an architectural masterpiece and was marked by a lofty wall and one gate. One of the best places to visit in Bihar, Nalanda University attracted scholars from all over the world. Even Chanakya or Kautilya was once a student of this university. It was from this university, the seat of knowledge for the world that the light of knowledge spread all over.
- Lunch at a Local restaurant/Hotel
- RAJGIR, which means ‘house of the king’, is a city and a notified area in the Nalanda district in the Indian state of Bihar. The city of Rajgir was the first capital of the kingdom of Magadha, a state that would eventually evolve into the Mauryan Empire. It is about 15 kilometers south of Nalanda and about 30 kilometers from Bodhgaya.
- Gridhakuta – Vulture’s Peak: The hill is listed in Buddhist canonical texts as one of the places where Lord Buddha set in motion his second wheel of law and for three months every year during the rainy season, preached many inspiring sermons to his disciples. A bridle path leads to up to the hill but it is much more fun to take the Aerial Chair lift which operates every day except Thursday. It was here that the Buddha delivered two important sutras – the Lotus Sutra and the Prajnaparamita (Perfection of Wisdom Sutra). As such, it is a major destination for pilgrims in both ancient and modern times.
- Later continue the drive to Patna & upon arrival check in at the hotel.
- Buffet Dinner & Overnight at the Hotel in Patna
DAY 3
Patna – Kushinagar Via Vaishali
- Morning after having breakfast, transfer to Vaishali on arrival visit (Stupa) and then lunch at local restaurant/Hotel ; after that move to Kushinagar – On Arrival visit Mahaparnirvana & Stupa then check into hotel.
- Buffet Dinner & Overnight at the Hotel
DAY 4
Kushinagar – Sravasti
- Morning after having breakfast transfer to Sravasti with BOX Lunch – On Arrival Sravasti (Visit) Stupa & Angulimala-then back to Hotel.
- Buffet Dinner & Overnight at Hotel in Sravasti
DAY 5
Sravasti - Lumbini
- Morning after having breakfast transfer to Lumbini ( Nepal ) – On arrival check into hotel buffet lunch at Hotel. And then visit ( Mayadevi temple & Stupa) – after completing sightseeing back to hotel.
- Buffet Dinner & Overnight at Hotel in Lumbini
DAY 6
Lumbini – Varanasi
- Morning transfer to Varanasi with Box Lunch – and then drive.
- On Arrival Varanasi, Check in at Hotel
- Buffet Dinner & Overnight at Hotel in Varanasi
DAY 7
Depart Varanasi
- Early morning boat cruise on river Ganges. The western banks of Ganges has a string of Ghats the chain of stone steps, all built with pavilions, palaces and terraces, most of which are mainly used as Dharamsalas where the pilgrims stay during their visit to the holy city. At dawn the Ghats are abuzz with activity of the devotees performing their ablutions in the river of offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious Rituals. A Boat ride along the Ghats gives you vantage views of the activity. The Sunrise of the Ganges is a soul-lifting experience. Later visit the Vishwanath Temple also called the Golden Temple because of the Gold-Plating on its roof.
- After buffet breakfast at Hotel. Proceed for the sightseeing tour of Sarnath.
- Sarnath, 10 kms from Varanasi is the fabled place, which bears testimony to its great past where lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples, expounding the principles of Buddhism. The remains date back to as far as the 3rd century BC when emperor Ashoka founded various institutions, Stupas, monasteries and pillar edicts. Visit the art collection at the Archaeological museum. The main attractions is the superb capital from Ashokan Pillar-the Ashokan symbol of four back to back lions which has been adopted as the state symbol independent India. Also visit the Mahabodhi Buddha temple and walk around the deer park. Later see the monastery ruins area, Dhameka Stupa.
- Return to Hotel for Buffet Lunch & Later in time transfer to airport to connect flight for onward journey
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