BUDDHIST SECTOR WITH TAJ MAHAL TOUR
Destinations Covered: Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Varanasi – Kushinagar – Lumbini - Sravasti- Lucknow – Agra – Delhi
Duration: 9 Nights / 10 Days
Buddhism, one of the major religions of the world find its roots in North Eastern India and spread across Nepal. Being one of the oldest religions on the globe, Buddhism flourished in India since 3rd Century BC. Buddhism encompasses a variety of traditions, beliefs and spiritual practices largely based on original teachings attributed to the Buddha and resulting interpreted philosophies.
DAY 1 : Arrive Bodhgaya (By Air)
Upon arrival, meeting & greetings at the airport and transfer to hotel. Later visit Mahabodhi Temple. (The Mahabodhi Temple (literally: "Great Awakening Temple") or the Mahabodhi Mahavihar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient, but much rebuilt and restored, Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.) Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 2 : Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Bodhgaya (90 Kms / 02 Hrs One Way)
Upon arrival, meeting & greetings at the airport and transfer to hotel. Later visit Mahabodhi Temple. (The Mahabodhi Temple ( literally: "Great Awakening Temple" ) or the Mahabodhi Mahavihar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient, but much rebuilt and restored. Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment). Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 3: Bodhgaya - Varanasi (By Air)
After breakfast at hotel, proceed to visit Sujata Village (Sujata Village was believed to be the place where Prince Siddharta was offered with a bowl of kheer (rice milk) when resting under a Banyan Tree) & Niranajana River (Lord Buddha attained enlightenment at Gaya. His first bath in the River Niranjana known in Pali as Lilajan is the most striking event in his process of becoming Buddha. A river mentioned in Ramayana as Phalgu and latter classical Sanskrit literature has been often stated to be the same as Niranjana.) Also, visit other International Buddhist Monasteries. Back to hotel for Lunch, then transfer to Bodhgaya airport to connect flight for Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, transfer to hotel for check-in. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 4: Varanasi
Start your day with boating across the ghats of River Ganges, enjoying the panoramic Sunrise. Back to hotel for breakfast, later visit Sarnath (A place located 10 kilometres north-east of Varanasi city near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India). Dhamek Stupa (Dhamek Stupa is a massive stupa located at Sarnath, originated as pre-Buddhist tumuli, in which ascetics were buried in a seated position, called chaitya). Post lunch at hotel, visit Wat Thai & Sarnath Museum (Sarnath Museum is the oldest site museum of Archaeological Survey of India. It houses the findings and excavations at the archaeological site of Sarnath, the museum has 6,832 sculptures and artefacts.) Dinner & overnight at Varanasi.
DAY 5: Varanasi - Kushinagar (260 Kms / 07 Hrs)
After early breakfast at hotel, proceed to Kushinagar. Post lunch, visit Mahaparinirvana Temple. Also visit the Ramabhar Stupa. Later visit Thai Temple – Kushinagar. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 6: Kushinagar - Lumbini (170 Kms / 05 Hrs)
After breakfast at hotel, drive to Lumbini, Nepal (It is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BCE.) Lunch at Thai Temple-960 (Near India-Nepal border). Upon arrival at Lumbini, visit Maya Devi Temple (Maya Devi Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple situated at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lumbini, Nepal. It is the main temple at Lumbini, a site traditionally considered the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. The temple stands adjacent to a sacred pool and a sacred garden). Also visit other International Buddhist Monasteries. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 7: Lumbini - Kapilvastu - Lumbini (30 Kms / 01Hr) Lumbini - Sravasti (220 Kms / 06 Hrs)
After breakfast at hotel, visit Kapilvastu, Nepal (Kapilavastu is a city in Nepal which was the capital of the clan of the Shakyas. Kapilavastu is the place where Siddhartha Gautama spent 29 years of his life. According to Buddhist sources, Kapilvastu was named after Vedic sage Kapila.) Post lunch at hotel, drive to Sravasti (It is located near the West Rapti River and is closely associated with the life of Gautama Buddha, who is believed to have spent 24 Chaturmases here). Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 8: Sravasti - Lucknow (175 Kms / 05 Hrs)
After a mouthwatering breakfast at hotel, visit Sahet Mahet. Proceed towards Angulimal Cave .Later visit Jetwan Mahavihara. Post lunch at hotel, proceed to Lucknow. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 9: Lucknow - Sankisa (207 Kms/04 Hrs) Sankisa - Agra (160 Kms/03 Hrs)
After a luscious breakfast, drive to Sankisa. Post lunch, continue your drive to Agra. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 10: AGRA – DELHI (230 Kms/05 Hrs) DELHI – ONWARD DESTINATION
After an unhurried breakfast, visit World Famous Taj Mahal (The Taj Mahal is an ivory-white marble mausoleum on the south bank of the Yamuna river) Later visit Agra fort (a historical fort in the city of Agra in India. It was the main residence of the emperors of the Mughal Dynasty until 1638). Post lunch, drive to Delhi. Drive past India Gate (war memorial), Parliament & President House. After dinner, transfer to the airport to connect flight to onward destination.
