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

Day 01 - GAYA -
BODHGAYA
Met upon arrival and after assistance
at the airport, transfer to your hotel at Bodhgaya, 10 Kms. Arrive
in Bodhgaya and check-in at your Hotel. Dinner and overnight at
hotel.
Day 02 -
BODHGAYA
Visit of Mahabodhi temple. It was in Bodhgaya under the Bodhi tree
that Gautam, the prince, attained enlightenment to become Buddha.
King Ashok erected a shrine near the Bodhi tree, which was replaced
by Mahabodhi Temple in the 2nd century BC. It houses a gilded image
of the Buddha in the pose signifying enlightenment, there are
carvings on the Stupa depicting tales from Buddha's lives. After
lunch visit various monastries and River Niranjana.
Day 03 -
BODHGAYA-VARANASI
After breakfast drive to Varanasi. Varanasi is probably the oldest
living city in India and one of the worlds most ancient. It was
earlier known as Kasi - the city that illuminates. The Present name
is probably derived from the fact that it is situated on the
confluence of the rivers Varuna & Asi Varanasi is a city that cannot
be described, only experienced.. After Lunch drive to Sarnath, where
Buddha preached his first sermon after he had attained enlightenment
at Bodhgaya. A lot has changed here since then but ancient aura is
retained in the ruins and gardens. More importantly, at the museum
in Sarnath is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions that has
been used as independent India's national emblem.
Day 04 -
VARANASI
Early morning enjoy the boat ride at the Holy River Ganges.Also view
the Sunrise from the center of the river during the ride. Later on
return to the Hotel for Breakfast. After breakfast temple tour and
free time for shopping.
Day 05 -
VARANASI--LUMBINI
After breakfast drive to Lumbini.On Arrival check in to the HotelO/N
Lumbini.( 7 Hours Drive)
Day 06 -
LUMBINI
Full day Sight seeing of Lumbini where the Lord was born, Emperor
Ashok, in the twenty- first years after his coronation visited the
birthplace and raised a pillar on the spot. Also visit the Mahamaya
Devi temple. The locals believe that Ladies after worshipping at
this temple get rid of the sterility curse.
Day 07 -
LUMBINI-SRAVASTI
After breakfast drive to Sravasti.. After Lunch Visit Sravasti
Garden which is an important pilgrimage for Buddhists. Lord Buddha
is believe to have spent 25 rainy seasons here preaching his
teachings.
Day 08 -
SRAVASTI-KUSHINAGAR
After breakfast drive to Kushinagar. Arrive in Kushinagar and
check-in at your hotel. Evening proceed with visit to the Mahabodhi
temple. Kushinagar is where Lord Buddha at an age of 80 passed into
Mahaparinirvana. The famous sites are Mahaparinirvana temple and
Ramabhar Stupa where Buddha was cremated. Amongst the ruins are
Mukutbandhan Stupa and a beautiful status of reclining Buddha. Also
visit the Mukutbandhan Stupa built by Malla Dynasty to house
Buddha's relics after the cremation. Dinner and overnight at Hotel.
Day 09 -
KUSHINAGAR-VAISHALI-RAJGIR
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 into 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 thousand 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. Continue drive to Rajgir. On Arrival
check in to the Hotel. O/n Rajgir.
Day 10 -
RAJGIR-BODHGAYA
After breakfast sightseeing of Rajgir and Nalanada. Rajgir was the
capital of Magadh Empire around 800 BC. This is evident from the
remains of the cyclopean dry stone that once enclosed the ancient
city. Visit the Ajatshatru Fort, Venuvana, and the bamboo grove
where Lord Buddha spent some time. Located close is the
Jivakamarvana Monastery (4-3rd C 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. Later visit Nalanda. The site of Nalanda was
one of the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world
University established in 5th century BC. It is believed that Lord
Buddha and also the founder of Jainism religion Lord Mahavir taught
at his university for years. There is even a monument to felicitate
Chinese traveller and writer Hiuen Tsang studied at this university
in the 7th century A.D. After Lunch drive to Bodhgaya. Arrive and
O/N Bodhgaya.
Day 10 -
BODHGAYA-DEPARTURE
Transfer to the airport to connect flight to ONWARD DESTINATION with
blessings of Lord Buddha.
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