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Duration: 10 nights /
11 days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Patna - Rajgir - Bodhgaya -
Varanasi - Sarnath - Kushinagar - Lumbini - Lucknow
Day 01
Welcome on arrival at Delhi and transfer to hotel.
Day 02
After breakfast, tour the historic city of old Delhi to include
the magnificent Red Fort, Jama Masjid, largest mosque in Asia,
both built by Shahjahan, Rajghat-memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, the
"Father of the Nation". Afternoon, tour of New Delhi to include
Humanyun Tomb, Qutab Minar, India Gate, Birla Mandir, Bahai
Temple. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03
Depart for airport for early morning flight to 2500 year old
ancient city of Patna. On arrival at Patna transfer to hotel.
Afternoon excursion to Vaishali where Lord Buddha preached his
last sermon announcing his approaching Nirvana. Visit stupas
holding urns containing ashes of Buddha and Ashok pillar erected
by Emperor Ashoka to mark places sanctified by Buddha. The place
is also known now for famous Madhubani paintings. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 04
Morning drive down to Rajgir (102 kms / 2 hrs & 30 mins) capital
of 6th century Magadha empire. It was revered site of Buddhas
discourses. Buddha spent many years here. Visit Gridhrakula,
Sapataparni cave, Ajatsatru fort and Venuvana. Afternoon visit
Nalanda - the world's oldest university founded in the 5th
century. Also visit monasteries and temples with impressive
Buddhist & Hindu images. The Institute for research into
Buddhism and Pali literature which houses rare manuscripts, is
also worth visiting for the enthusiasts. Archaeological musuem
is also not to be missed for the rare
collections. Overnight at hotel.
Day 05
Early morning after breakfast depart for Bodhgaya (193 kms / 4
hrs & 30 mins) by road. Enroute visit Baraliar caves - the
earliest examples of rock cut caves. Most impressive
craftmanship of carving and rock inscription ca be seen. These
caves served as inspiration for the setting of E.M Foresters "A
Passage to India". Arrive Bodhgaya and overnight in the hotel.
Day 06
Bodhgaya is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centres. It
was here that Gautama attained enlightenment and became Buddha
under the "Bodhi" tree Satabodhi temple, Japanese and Tibetan
monasteries alongwith Magadha university musuem are also to be
visited. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07
Early morning after breakfast depart for Varanasi (243 kms / 6
hrs) by road (if one so desires one can go by train to Varanasi
for Gaya). Arrive by afternoon and transfer to hotel. Afternoon
visit ghats and temples and Benaras Hindu University. Overnight
at hotel.
Day 08
Early morning boat ride on river Ganges to see the beautiful
sunrise at Ganges. After breakfast excursion to Sarnath, the
principle centre of Buddhism. It was here around 530 B.C that
Buddha preached his 1st sermon after gaining enlightenment. Also
visit Dhamekh and Dharmarajika stupas.
Day 09
Afternoon drive to Kushinagar - the place where Buddha passed
into Parinirvana. Visit Ramabha stupa which stands on the spot
where the body of the Lord was cremated. Also visit Natha
Kumarka Kot enshrining the large recumbent figure of Buddha in
the state of Nirvana. Overnight at hotel.
Day 10
Morning excursion to Lumbini, the place where Buddha was born.
An ancient shrine with an image representing the nativity of
Buddha is still preserved. Afternoon drive to Balrampur and
visit Sravasti and other Buddhist shrines enroute. Overnight at
hotel.
Day 11
Drive to Lucknow to catch flight to Delhi. On arrival, transfer
to international airport for flight to onward destination.
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