Buddha Circuit

Day 01 - On arrival meeting assistance and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02 - After breakfast proceed to Mahabalipuram & Kanchipuram (58 Kms) Kancheepuram- the "City of Thousand Temples" is one holiest place in India. The great Buddhist Vhikku Bodhidharma lived and worked here. Kancheepuram is also famous for its handwooven silk fabrics. Lunch at Local restaurant. Mahabalipuram- The famous historical wonder, is situated on the shore of Bay of Bengal, 58 Kms, south of Chennai. It was one a port of Pallavas. They have constructed many rock-cut monuments here. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 03 - Breakfast at hotel. Chennai( Madras), the fourth largest city in India, and a major commerical centre in South India. It can boast of an interesting flair of South Indian art, architecture, music, dance and festivals with rich cultural traditions. The most prominent feature of Madras city is the Marine beach This is the second largest beach in the world. Kabaleeswarar temple. This ancient Siva temple built by Vijaya Nagar King in the 16th Century. Santhome Chathedral-, This chuch is situated close to the sea shore and built over the tomb of Apostle ST. Thomas in 1504., Sree Parthasarathy tempkle dedicated to Lord Krishna built by the Vijayanagar kings in the 16th C.Marina Beach and Aquarium, Government Museum and Art Gallery, This museum was established in 1851 and has interesting archeological section and Bronze Gallery. The art Gallery has a vast collection of rare paintings of Rajput and Mughal periodsLunch at Local restaurant. After Dinner transfer to railway station to connect train Chennai Howara Mail for Vijaya Wada. Overnight on board.

Day 04 - On arrival transfer to Local restaurant for Breakfast. After breakfast proceed to Nagarjuna Konda ( 270 Kms) The largest and most important Buddhist centres in southern India The site was discovered in 1926. Have find theunearthed ramins of stupas, Viharas, Chaityas and Mandapas as well as some marble carvings and sculptures depicting the life of Buddha. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 05 - Breakfast at hotel. After breakfast proceed to Hyderabad ( 150 Kms). On arrival Lunch at hotel. After lunch proceed for sight seeing of Hyderabad. is an important centre of Islamic culture consisting of the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secundarabad , the Hussain Sagar Lake effectively separates Hyderabad from its twin city Secundarabad. Charminar- The old walled city surrounded by lively bazars, this huge triphal arch was built bu Muhammad Quli Qutab Shah in 1591 to commemorate the end of a plague in Hyderabad. Mecca Masjid, this is one of the largest mosques in the world .Golconda FortSalar Jang Museum is also worth seeing in Hyderabad. Hyderabad is now a days known as the Hi-Tech city of India Transfer to Secundarabad railway station to connect train for Aurangabad.

Day 06 - On arrival transfer to hotel. After breakfast excursion to Ajanta Caves dating to the 2nd centaury BC. It's famous for the Buddhist shrines with exquisite paintings. Lunch at Ajanta restaurant Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 07 - Afternoon excursion to Ellora Caves known for its Rock-Hewn temples & monasteries. Kailasa temple is famous as its being carved out of one single rock. Lunch at Local restaurant. Afternoon sight seeing of Aurangabad visit to Bibi -Ka-Maqbara, built in 1679 by Aurangazeb's son in memory of his mother Begum Rabia Durani, this monument is a replace of the famous Taj Mahal. It is a fine example of Moghul architecture in the Deccan region. Aurangabad caves-There are a group of caves in Aurangabad were built areound 6th or 7th c. The 10 caves are all Buddhist, Five are in western & five are in eastern group. After dinner transfer to to manmad railway station to connect train Jhelum exp to Sanchi. Overnight on board.

Day 08 - On arrival breakfast at local restaurant and proceed for Sanchi (46kms), known for its Buddhist structures built by Emperor Ashoka in 3rd Centaury BC. One can see the Great Stupa, and Toranas.(The four gateways were erected around 35 BC ) The sculptures here are full of vitality and a freshness of perception. Lunch at MPTDC restaurant. After lunch transfer to railway station to board STB EXP to Agra. on arrival transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 09 - Capital of India, during the reign of Moghul era is situated on the banks of River Yamuna. It's famous for it's most magnificient monument- The Taj Mahal. Emperor Shahjahan built it for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is amazingly graceful with the semiprecious stones inlaid into the intricately marble designed patterns. Agra fort- which is a fascinating fort with masjid, Diwani-Am (Hall for public), Diwan-I Khs (hall of private audience) and the Bazars of the city. Lunch at hotel. Afternoon excursion to Fatehpur sikri( 53 Kms ) The ghost city. The moghul empire capital was once situated over here. The entrance is through the Buland Darwaza-Gate of victory. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 10 - After breakfast proceed to Sankasya ( 200 Kms) carrying packed lunch. On aarrival sight seeing of Sankasya where Lord Buddha descended from heaven to preach his mother. After sight seeing proceed to Allahabad (300 Kms) On arrival trasnfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 11 - After breakfast proceed to visit Kausambi (63 Kms) an ancient buddhist centre with remains of Ashokan pillar and pre-Gupta period inscriptions. After s/s proceed to Varanasi (198 Kms)On arrival transfer to hotel for lunch. After lunch proceed to Sarnath where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon. The attractions are Dhamekh Stupa built in 500 AD, Ashokan Pillar & Museum. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 12 - Early morning boat ride on river Ganges and watch people taking holy dip & worship the rising Sun.vVisit the various temples of the Hindu god & goddess. Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for Bodhgaya where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. On arrival lunch at hotel visit the Stupa and the various monasteries, Mahabodhi Temple built by Ashoka the Great in 3rd century B.C. One can visit the Sacred Bodhi Tree (descendant of the Bo tree under which Lord Buddha attained (enlightenment). Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 13 - Breakfast at hotel. Proceed to Rajgir where the first Buddhist Council was held after Lord Buddha attained nirvana. Lunch at local reastaurant. Afternoon free at leisure. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 14 - Early morning visit to Gridhakoot hill to see sunrise and offer prayers. Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for Patna Enroute sightseeing of Nalanda and Kumrahar which was a great Buddhist centre. Now only the Great Stupa, terraces etc remain. On arrival lunch at hotel after lunch free at leisure. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 15 - After breakfast proceed to Kushinagar. Enroute visit Vaishali the Birth place Lord Mahavira Founder of Jainism. Carrying packed lunch. On arrival to Kushinagar where Lord Buddha breathed his last and was cremated. Sightseeing of Mahaparinirvana temple & Rambhar Stupa. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 16 - After breakfast proceed to Lumbini a holy pilgrimage for the Buddhists. The places of interest- The Maya Devi temple (Named after Mother of Lord Buddha is the holy spot where he was born), The Ashokan Pillar, Pushkarini: The Sacred pool. After lunch proceed to Sravasti which was an active center of Buddhism. Lord Buddha spent 25 rainy seasons and delivered his sermons. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 17 - After breakfast sightseeing of Sahet - Mahet where Lord Buddha performed his Miracle sitting on a petalled Lotus multiplying 1000 times. Proceed to Lucknow (180 Kms) carrying packed lunch. On arrival transfer to railway station to board train for Delhi (Shatabdi Express). Dinner on board. On arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 18 - After breakfast full day sightseeing of Delhi which is divided into two parts Old & New Delhi. Old Delhi. Lunch at local Restaurant. Evening transfer to air port to board flight for onward journey.