CULCUTTA |
Bodhgaya|
Rajgir
|Vaishali
|
Kushinagar
|
Lumbini
|
SRAVASTI | VARANASI

Day 01 - Calcutta - On arrival meet and transfers to
hotel.
Day 02 -
Culcutta - Gaya-
Bodhgaya - After breakfast half day city tour of Calcutta. Visit
the Howrah Bridge, the Victoria Palace, drive past the famous Pak
street and the Maidan area. After lunch transfer to railway station
to board Rajdhani Express train for Gaya. during journey tea, snacks
and dinner will be served by Indian Railways. Upon arrival transfer
to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 03 -
Bodhgaya - After breakfast, full day visit Maha bodhi temple -
The Bodhi tree, situated in the premises of the temple, is the one
under which Buddha attained illumination. White, Green and Red
flags, tied on to the tree, form a canopy over seven sacred shrines,
which symbolize the seven weeks that Buddha spent here. O/N at
Bodhgaya.
Day 04 -
Bodhgaya - Rajgir - After breakfast proceed for Rajgir.
Rajgir was the Capital of Magadh Empire around 800 BC. This is
evident from The Remaind of the Cyclopean Dry Stone that enclosed
the ancient city. Visit the Ajatshatru Fort, Venuvan, and the Bamboo
Grove where Lord Buddha spent some time. Located close is the
Jivakamarvana Monastery (4-3rd BC). After this take the cable car
ride to visit the Visva shanti stupa built by Japanese on top of
ratnagiri mountain. from here you can have a good view of the
Griddakuta hill (The hill of Vultures) from where Lord Buddha,
delivered many important sermons and also of the Sattapani Cave,
where the first Buddhist council was convened six months after the
death of Lord Buddha. After lunch, depart for Nalanda. The site of
Nalanda was one of the Greatest Monastic University established in
5th century BC. later visit Nalanda, the most ancient remains of the
university where number of foreign students studied once upon a
time.
Day 05 -
Rajgir - Vaishali - Kushinagar - After breakfast drive to
Kushinagar via Vaishali. Vaishali is believed to be the first
republic of the world, having an elected Body of representatives
hold special significance for Buddhist Devotees. The Buddha preached
the Radha Sutra to the eighty four thousand faithful gathered
there. women were ordained for the first time in to Buddhism. It was
at Vaishali That the famous courtesan of the Lichchavi Empire,
Amrapali, became a famous devotee of the Lord. She once entreated
the lord to grace her house. When lord Buddha graciously accepted,
the Lichchavi Princes asked her to exchange this visit for a hundred
thiusand gold coins. Amrapali refused and after the Lord's visit,
she was purged of her impurities and became a bhikshuni. A hundred
years after Mahaparinirvana, the second buddhist council was held
here. Have ho lunch at Chakkia. Continue drive to Kushinagar. On
arrival check in to the hotel. O/N in hotel.
Day 06 -
Kushinagar - Lumbini - After breakfast
sightseeing of Kushinagar. It was here the Tathagata, the reciter of
truth, breathed his last with the last words, "behold now, brethren,
I exhort you, saying, decay is inherent in all component things!
Work out your salvation with diligence! A temple dedicated to the
event - the Mahaparinirvana temple today stands amidst a serene "sal"
grove. As if still reminiscing the great demise. Also visit Rambhar
Stupa, which is supposedly the spot where Lord Buddha was cremated
and his relics divided into eight equal parts. After lunch proceed
to Lumbini. On arrival check in to the hotel.
Day 07 -
Lumbini - Saravasti - After breakfast sightseeing of
Lumbini - where the Lord was born, Emperor Ashok, in the
twenty-first years after his coronation visited the birth place and
raised a pillar on the spot. After lunch drive to Saravasti. Enroute
visits Kapilvastu (Piprahwa). Here Lord spent his childhood. The
place holds significant value for Buddhist pilgrims and has severaal
Stupas. The archaeological excavations have revealed stone caskets
containing relics believed to be that of Buddha's. O/N at hotel.
Day 08 - Sravasti -
Varanasi - Morning visit Saravasti garden which is an
important pilgrimage for Buddhists. Lord Buddha believed to have
spent 25 rainy seasons here perching his teachings. later proceed
for Varanasi. Upon arrival check in hotel.
Day 09 -
Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Early morning visit Ganga, bathing ghats
and boat ride. After breakfast drive to Sarnath - where Buddha
preached his first sermon after he had attained enlightenment at
Bodhgaya.`Gautam Buddha with his five disciples formed the first
Sangha along with Yasa of Varanasi and his 54 friends. The beginning
of the celebrated mantra "Buddam Saranam Gachami", owes its origin
to sarnath. Visit the Ashok pillar with its four guardian lions that
has been used as independent India's national emblem. After lunch
drive to Bodhgaya. On arrival check in hotel.
Day 10 -
Bodhgaya - Gaya - Calcutta - Full day at Bodhgaya. Later
in the evening transfer to the railway station to connect O/N train
Doon Express/Jodhpur Howrah Express for Calcutta.
Day 11 -
Calcutta - On arrival, transfer to hotel. After breakfast city
tour visiting the Jain Temple, Zoological Gardens, Dalhousie Square,
Fort William, Secretariat Building and old court house street also
visit St. John church & St. Paul Church. Evening enjoy shopping in
and around your hotel Park Street and New market. O/N stay in hotel.
Day 12 -
Calcutta - Departure - After breakfast, free till latee evening
transfer to airport to board the flight back to onward destination.
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