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Buddhist India Tour
Buddhist India Tour
Covered Destination : Delhi - Sravasti - Lumbini - Kushinagar - Bodhgaya
- Rajgir - Nalanda - Bodhgaya - Sarnath - Varanasi - Delhi
Duration : 10 Nights / 11 Days
Day 01 : Welcome to India (New Delhi)
A land of rich heritage that's ancient. The mystique of India, its history
of 5000 years, philosophy, religions, fabulous history monuments all add
to its bewildering diversity to create a unique and colorful mosaic. This
is the wonder that is India, come, enjoy and experience it. Later stay in
the
5 star deluxe hotels & leisure.
Delhi is just not a city but it is a book, a book which narrates the history
of India. The city was built and destroyed seven times and has been witness
to the various events which has brought India through the history books.
Seven times this city went through the pain of being built and rebuilt.
Today 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 color when one goes around the lanes
of Delhi.
Day 02 : Delhi
After a leisurely breakfast at hotel, the tour guide escorts you
to Jama Mosque built in 1650 AD, followed by a drive past the breathtaking
Red Fort (1639-1648), and built by Shah Jahan, creator of the Taj Mahal.
Then we proceed on to Raj Ghat, which is the memorial of Mahatma Gandh.
In the afternoon, your tour of New Delhi begins with
the drive past Safdarjang's Tomb (1753 AD) on the way to Qutab Minar (1193
AD) this striking medieval tower of victory of Persion World is 73 m high.
Within the Qutab complex, amidst the ruins of Quwat-ul-Islam mosque, stands
the Iron pillar which has stood the vagaries of weather and has not rusted
over 1500 years. Then drive through New Delhi includes the Embassy area
(Diplomatic enclave), Government buildings, India Gate, Sikh Temple (Bangla
Sahib Gurudwara), Birla Temple and Connaught Place, New Delhi's main shopping
area. Visit Humayun's Tomb - considered to be the fore runner of Taj Mahal.
Day 03 : Delhi - Sravasti
In morning, after breakfast you will be transferred to airport to connect
flight for Lucknow. On arrival at Lucknow, you will leave for Sravasti.
Dinner and overnight stay will be at
your pre-booked
deluxe / luxury hotel.
Sravasti, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honor
for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens. The city
believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast, has age-old stupas,
majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed
some miracles here. This holy place also has the famous Anand Bodhi tree,
an offspring of the one, said to have been planted by Buddha's main disciple
Day 04 : Sravasti - Lumbini
In morning, after breakfast you will be leaving for Lumbini, on arrival
transfer to your pre-booked deluxe / luxury hotel. Lunch will be at hotel,
Afternoon half day city tour visiting birth place of Lord Buddha. Dinner
and overnight will be at hotel.
Lumbini,
the birthplace of the Buddha, was located in 1890 after being untraced for
1,500 years. Lumbini grove, the sacred site of Lord Buddha's birth is today
a small village in Nepal, 27 km from Sonauli on the Indo-Nepal Border. Three
hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana, Emperor Ashoka visited Lumbini
and erected a pillar there. This pillar, though broken, still remains at
the site. It is known as the Rummendei Pillar after the earlier name of
the place (modern name Rupandhei) in Nepal.
Day 05: Lumbini - Kushinagar
In morning, after breakfast you will be leaving for Kushinagar. On arrival
at Kushinagar, you will be transferred to pre-booked deluxe / luxury hotel.
Lunch will be at hotel. In afternoon you shall visit Nirvana Temple and
Ramabhar Stupa. Dinner and overnight stay will be at hotel.
Kushinagar
was an important centre under Mauryan King Ashoka, a great Buddhist follower.
Most of the religious structures here were constructed between 3rd century
BC and 5th century AD. For a long time Kushinagar remained lost in the jungles
and was unknown to the world till 19th century when the British rediscovered
it in 1880. Extensive excavations have indicated the presence of large number
monks here as late as 11th century AD. A majority of tourists come to Kushinagar
during Buddha Purnima to celebrate the birthday of Lord Buddha.
The place has a tropical climate with extreme temperatures during summers
and winters. Winter days are pleasant with dry weather and clear sky.
Day 06: Kushinagar- Rajgir
In morning, after breakfast you will be leaving for Rajgir en-route visit
Vaishali, carrying box lunch. On arrival at Rajgir, you will be transferred
to pre-booked deluxe / luxury hotel. Dinner and overnight will be at hotel.
Rajgir:
Like many others in search of truth, Prince Siddhartha, after he renounced
his royal heritage came to this city to seek the path of vation. The first
Buddhist structures at Rajgir were raised when Ajatsatni built a monastery
and a stupa over his share of the Buddha's ashes. That reliquary is now
a mound used as a graveyard. The Japanese much later have built the World
Peace Stupa, with its gilded images of the Buddha. Rajgir also has the Nipponzan
Myohoji, the Japanese temple, and the Centaur Hokke Club which offers some
traditional facilities to Japanese pilgrims.
Day 07: Rajgir - Nalanda - Bodhgaya
In morning, after breakfast you will be visiting Nalanda University and
Gridhkut Mountain. Lunch will be at hotel, in afternoon you will leave for
Bodhgaya. On arrival at Bodhgaya, you will be transferred to pre-booked
deluxe / luxury hotel, dinner and overnight at hotel.
Nalanda was the most renowned university in ancient
India. It derived its name from Na-alam-da, meaning Insatiable in Giving,
one of the names by which the Lord Buddha was known. The Archaeological
Survey of India maintains the Nalanda Museum across the road which houses
some exquisite bronzes of the 9th and 10th centuries, Pala dynasty, and
other remains excavated at the site. The beautiful Thai Temple and the Nava
Nalanda Mahavihara, a centre for research in Pali and Buddhist studies,
are 2 kms from the main site.
Day 08: Bodghgaya
In morning, after breakfast you will be visiting temple and Niranjana River.
Enjoy whole day in exploring the temples and surroundings. Meals and overnight
will be at hotel.
As the place of the Buddha's Enlightenment, Bodhgaya
is the spiritual home of Buhddhists. It attracts tens of thousands of believers
from all over the world. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, is
one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres since it was here that Buddha
attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. Bodhgaya is 12 km from Gaya,
140 km from Patna, 66 km from Rajgir and 482 km from Calcutta.
Day 09: Sarnath - Varanasi
In morning, after breakfast you will be leaving for Varanasi, en-rout visit
Sarnath. On arrival at Varanasi, you will be transferred pre-booked Deluxe
/ Luxury to hotel. Dinner and overnight will be at hotel.
Sarnath,
10 km from Varanasi, where the Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer
Park, contains the most impressive remains, as well as a modem temple. The
Dharmarajika, Chaukhandi and Dharnek stupas are outstanding. There are also
the remains of a monastery, and the beautifully polished Lion Capital of
Ashoka. Sarnath contains a rich library and at the Mula gandha Kutir Vihara
there are excellent frescoes by Kosetsu Nosu. The Sarnath Museum, not far
from the site, contains some of the finest specimens of Buddhist sculpture.
At all centers of Buddhist worship, the Vaisakha (April-May) full moon is
observed as the anniversary of three important events - the Buddha's birth,
Enlightenment and death, while the Asadh (July - August) full moon is observed
as the anniversary of his first sermon.
Day 10: Varanasi
Early morning you will take boat cruise on river Ganges. Thousands of pilgrims
throng the water's edge, bathing, worshipping, and meditating. On stone
platforms under palm leaf umbrellas, the Pandas-Brahmin priests preside
over rites and rituals. The boat trip will cover various ghats including
the cremation sites. Because every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi
(Varanasi) and to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges is to attain release
from the cycle of birth and death.
The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate
pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi
is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say
it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older
even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together".
Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would
attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth. Abode
of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi are yet unknown. Ganges
in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals.
Day 11: Delhi
After breakfast you will be transferred to the domestic airport to catch
flight to Delhi for onward destination.
The tour includes :
a) Accommodation in the prescribed category of hotels on twin sharing basis
with breakfast on regular basis.
b) A/c Transport of high standards with soft beverages and mineral water
served during drives with compliments.
c) Entrances at all the monuments and services of an excellent personal
guide at all the destinations.
d) Assistance upon arrival and departure by our skilled representatives
at all destinations.
e) Meals as prescribed.
f) All internal flights and Train (1st A/C).
Exclusions:
a) International Flight From Your Country to India and Back.
b) Any tips for the porters, drivers or the tour guides.
c) Any drinks and beverages during the paid meals, if not specified.
Buddhist India Tour Reservation
Form
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