Siddharth
Gautam, born the son of a king, grew up in Kapilvastu amidst luxury and
splendour. At the age of 29 he left earthly distraction behind, to begin his
quest for the true meaning of life-a search that took to the land of
Magadha. At Bodhgaya, after years of penance and deprivation, he attained "Enlightenment"
under the sacred Bodhi tree-to become Budha. In the fabled deer park at
Sarnath, the Buddha preached his first sermon.
He then travelled widely preaching his philosophy. At the age of 80, in the
forest of Kushinagar, he entered perfect tranquillity-the state of "Parinirvana".
Lumbini, Bodhagaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Sravasti, Vaishali and Kapilvastu
these sacred places of Buddha continue the legacy of this remarkable being
who practised and preached peace, purity and love.
Day 01 : Calcutta/Delhi
Arrive Calcutta/Delhi. Half Day Sightseeing of the city.
Day 02 : Leave Calcutta/Delhi for Patna
Leave Calcutta/Delhi for Patna by air. Drive to Bodhgaya where the Buddha
attained enlightenment and which is one of the most sacred pilgrimage places
for the Buddhist. Enroute visit Nalanda and Rajgir. Nalanda-a great center
of Buddhist learning and one of the most famed university citadels of
ancient times. Rajgir-it was once the ancient capital of the powerful
kingdom of Maghada. From the out skirts of Rajgir, a historic road leads to
Gridhakuta or vultures peak where the Buddha preached, here the first
Buddhist Council was held after the Lord's Mahaparinirvana.
Sightseeing of Bodhgaya. Overnight in
Bodhgaya.
Day 04 : Varanasi
Morning leave Bodhgaya for Varanasi by Surface. Later, excursion to
Sarnath. Overnight in Varanasi.
Day 05 : Kushinagar
Early morning boat ride on the River Ganges to see the sun rise and the
bathing ghats of an ancient Hindu city. Later, leave Varanasi for
Kushinagar. Overnight in Kushinagar.
Day
06 : Lumbini
Leave Kushinagar for Lumbini by surface. Sightseeing of Lumbini where the
Lord was born. Emperor Ashoka, in the twenty first year after his
coronotion, visited the birthplace and raised a pillar on the spot. Later
proceed to Balrampur.
Day 07 : Lucknow
Leave Balrampur for Lucknow enroute visit Sravasti (Sahet-Mahet) capital of
the ancient kingdom of Kosala, an active centre for Buddhism. Overnight in
Lucknow.
Day 08 : Delhi
Leave Lucknow for Delhi by air. Half day sightseeing of Old and New Delhi
visiting Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar and the Secretarial Buildings.
Overnight in Delhi.
Day 09 : Agra
Full day excursion to Agra, city of the Taj Mahal. Also visit Agra Fort and
Sikandra. Overnight in Delhi.
Day 10 : Delhi
Day at leisure in Delhi
Day 11 : Leave Delhi
Leave Delhi
