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Footsteps of Buddha

Destinations

Delhi - Patna -Bodhgaya - Varanasi - Kushinagar - Lumbini - Kathmandu

Duration

13 nights / 14 days

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Itinerary Details

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi

A traditional welcome awaits your arrival at the airport. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel,

Full day city tour of Old & New Delhi, Morning visit Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch) and Lakshminarayan Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place shopping centre.

Afternoon visit Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana - the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru, Jama Masjid, Red Fort and drive past Chandni Chowk.

Day 02 : Delhi / Patna

Transfer to airport to connect flight for Patna, on arrival, assistance and transfer to hotel. Afternoon excursion of Vaishali - known for Buddha Stupas, Ashoka Pillar and Bawan Pokhar Temple . This is the place where Buddha announced his Mahaparinirvana and happens to be the birthplace of Lord Mahavira.

Day 03 : Patna / Nalanda / Rajgir / Bodhgaya

Morning drive to Bodhgaya enroute visiting Nalanda and Rajgir . Rajgir, the place where Buddha meditated and preached; first Buddhist Council was held here and further is known for Hot Springs, which have curative powers, and is sacred to Hindus. Nalanda is known for its Archaeological Complex and Museum. On arrival, check in at hotel.

Day 04 : Bodhgaya

Full day visits - Bodhgaya, in the state of Bihar , reckoned as the most important Buddhist pilgrimage center, is the place where Lord Sakyamuni (Gautam Buddha) entered into meditation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind. The giant Bodhi Tree (Peepal) that we see today is believed to have grown from the original Bodhi Tree under which, sitting on the raised platform, Prince Siddharth meditated and finally attained Nirvana. Then there is Chaukramana, the jewel Walk, where it is believed that the Buddha strolled while in deep thought.
Also visit Shaivite Monastery and famous Jagganath Temple .

Day 05 : Bodhgaya / Varanasi

Drive to Varanasi and check in at hotel.

Day 06 : Varanasi

Early morning boat excursion on the river Ganges , a ferry pilgrimage from ghat to ghat. People bathe early in the morning to offer the prayers to the rising sun. The two cremation ghats are Manikarnika & Harishchandra where funeral pyre burns day and night. Every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi and to be cremated on banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death.
Morning sightseeing tour of the city visiting the Bharat Mata Temple with a big relief map of India in marble, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Banaras Hindu University which has an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangazeb built on the site of an ancient Hindu Temple.
Afternoon excursion of Sarnath - visit the buried Buddhist city where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon, Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 6th century B.C. to 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple and the Museum (Museum closed on Fridays).

Day 07 : Varanasi / Kushinagar

Drive to Kushinagar and check in at hotel. Afternoon visits - Kushinagar, one of the principal centers of Buddhist pilgrimage, is the place of Mahaparinirvana. The monuments of Kushinagar are situated in three distinct comprising the main site of the Nirvana Temple , the central stupa and surrounding monasteries

Day 08 : Kushinagar / Lumbini

Drive to Lumbini and check in at hotel. Afternoon visits - in the village of Lumbini in Nepal , the Queen Mahamaya gave birth to Prince Siddhartha who later became the Buddha. Over 2000 years ago the Emperor Ashoka set up a commemorative pillar here. The pillar carries the inscription - Here the Buddha was born-. Another shrine preserves an ancient image depicting the nativity of the Lord.

Day 09 : Lumbini / Kathmandu

Drive to Kathmandu and check in at hotel.

Day 10 : Kathmandu

Visit Bodhnath, Pashpatinath and Bhadgaon. Bhadgaon is a Newer city of 9th century. Visit the ancient gateway, Durbar Square , royal residential quarter of Bhupendra Malla, temple of Nytapole in pagoda style and other temples. Bodhnath - visit the temple of Bodhnath, the colossal 2500 years old Stupa, one of the largest in the world.

This Stupa has the all seeing-eyes of the Buddha by king Mana Deva in expiation of his sins of the advice inset with prayer wheels. Also visit the Pashupatinath Temple which is noted for its erotic woodcarvings of the struts.

Day 11 : Kathmandu

Morning city and Swaymbhunath tour - visit the Durbar Square , Hanuman Dhoka, the ancient royal residential quarter, Mahadev and Parvati Temple and other temples. Also visit Swayambhunath, the 2000 years old site with 5 dhyani Buddhas enshrined at the base of the Stupa.
Afternoon visit Patan - visit the Old Newer City - the historic Durbar Square, see the Golden Gate, the sky piercing temple of Teleju and the statue of Yogendra Malla, other temples and old windows and carved balconies of wood, curio shops and bazaars.

Day 12 : Kathmandu / Delhi / Departure

Morning free. Transfer to airport to connect flight for Delhi. On arrival, wait in the transit and later connect flight back home.

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