The Path to Nirvana

The Path to Nirvana

Being on a Buddhist tour to India is wholly mesmerizing and unforgettable experience. The Buddha tour is a spiritual journey where each destination has its own significance for being associated with the life of Buddha. Be it the Mahabodhi temple of Bodhgaya or Buddhist caves of Ajanta, Ellora or the beautiful Gompas of Dharamshala, every site offers a glimpse of rich legacy of Buddhism in India. Buddhism is a major religion and philosophy which originated from the teachings of Buddha during his life time. Buddha was believed to have lived from about 563 to 483B.C. in India. Buddha was born as a prince in the small kingdom of Lumbini now in Nepal but later renounced all his royal privileges to embark on the path of enlightenment. In the search of truth and dharma and to find relief from sufferings, he moved out of his kingdom adopting the life of an ascetic. Buddha finally achieved nirvana or enlightenment at the young age of 35 while meditating under a banyan tree in Gaya in Bihar. After getting enlightenment he moved on to Sarnath to deliver his first sermon. It is only at Sarnath that he set the Dharmachakra into motion.

Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days Touring

Day 01: Delhi, Day 02: Jaipur, Day 03: Jaipur, Day 04: Agra, Day 05: Varanasi, Day 06: Varanasi, Day 07: Bodhgaya, Day 08: Bodhgaya, Day 09: Patna,
Day 10: Kushinagar, Day 11: Balrampur, Day 12: Lumbini , Day 13: Kathmandu, Day 14: Kathmandu, Day 15: Depart Kathmandu

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Leh, India © Sam D'Cruz plantations de thé, Kerala - Inde © globe-trotter

Day 1 : Delhi

Arrive Delhi and meet the representative at arrival hall and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon proceed on a tour of the capital city. The important places in Old Delhi includes the majestic Red Fort, the historical Chandni Chowk, besides Raj Ghat and Shanti Vana, In New Delhi visit the Rashtrapati Bhawan, the one-time imperial residence of the British viceroys; the India Gate, a memorial raised in honour of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war; the Laxminarayan Temple, built by the Birlas, one of India's leading industrial families; Qutab Minar, built by Qutub-ud-din Aibek of the Slave Dynasty; and the lotus-shaped Baha'i Temple.

Day 2 : Jaipur

Morning drive to Jaipur. Arrive Jaipur and check - in at hotel. Jaipur has been like that since 1727 when Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II had it built.

Day 3 : Jaipur

Morning excursion to Amber Fort, situated just outside the city, is perhaps the most beautiful example of Rajasthani forts. You can have the unique experience of traveling on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur including, City Palace in the heart of Jaipur is known for its blend of Rajasthani and Mughal architecture. Not far away is the Central Museum with its large collection of woodwork, Another monument near the City Palace, Jantar Mantar, is the largest of the five observatories built by Sawai Jai Singh. The Hawa Mahal or the Palace of Winds was constructed for the royal ladies to watch the royal processions without being seen.

Day 4 : Agra

Morning drive for five hours to the City of Taj, enroute visiting the deserted town of Fatehpur Sikri, In the afternoon reach Agra and check in at your hotel. Later proceed for the city sightseeing tour visiting The Taj Mahal, which is entirely made of white marble and its walls are decorated with exquisite pietra dura (stone inlay) work.

Day 5 : Varanasi

Transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and transfer to hotel visiting Sarnath enroute, an important Buddhist pilgrimage point

Day 6 : Varanasi

Enjoy a boat ride on river Ganges. There are about hundred ghats in the city Also visit The Vishwanath Temple, built by the Birlas, was planned by Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya. The Bharat Mata Temple houses, instead of gods and goddesses, a huge relief map in marble of the whole of Indian subcontinent. The Tulsi Manas Temple, built in 1964, is dedicated to Lord Rama.

Day 7 : Bodhgaya

Morning drive to Bodhgaya. Arrive Bodhgaya and check - in at hotel. Bodhgaya - most sacred place for Buddhists as it has a Peepul tree under which Gautama the Buddha attained enlightenment some 2500 years back.

Day 8 : Bodhgaya

Morning sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya visiting Mahabodhi Temple - depicting the various phases of Buddha's journey towards enlightenment, showing different aspects of his life; Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum - houses a small collection of Buddhist sculpture from the 1st century B.C, to the 11th century A.D; Jagannath Temple close by has a four armed statue of Shiva in black stone.

Day 9 : Patna

Morning drive to Patna. Arrive Patna and check - in at hotel. Afternoon city tour visiting Har Mandir Sahib, also known as Patna Sahib, consecrates the place where the 10th Guru of the Sikhs Guru Gobind Singh was born in 1776; Golghar - is a large dome-like structure from where one can have a fine view of the Ganga and the surroundings of the city; Patna Museum - has a rich collection of Mauryan and Buddhist sculptures, terracotta and other interesting items of the items.

Day 10 : Kushinagar

Morning drive to Kushinagar. Arrive Kushinagar and check - in at hotel. Later visit the Rambhar Stupa, which marks Buddha's cremation ground. Also visit the Mahaparinirvana temple, which houses the recumbent figure of Lord Buddha.

Day 11 : Balrampur

Morning drive to Balrampur. Arrive Balrampur and check - in at hotel.

Day 12 : Lumbini

Morning drive to Lumbini. Arrive Lumbini and check - in at hotel. Lumbini is the place where Buddha was born 2500 years ago.

Day 13 : Kathmandu

Intime transfer to airport to board flight for Kathmandu. Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to hotel. Surrounded by green hills and mountains with snow capped peaks against its northern and eastern background the Valley is indeed beautiful.

Day 14 : Kathmandu

Morning visit Hanuman Dhoka, the name of the old royal palace has been derived from the statue of Hanuman (the monkey god of Hindu mythology) Also visit the hilltop Stupa of Swayambhunath, considered 2,000 years old.

Day 15 : Depart Kathmandu

You will be accompanied by a representative to airport to board flight for onward destination.

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Our package tour prices are inclusive of transfers and tours as mentioned with English speaking guide, baggage handling, entrance fees, accommodation with breakfast, service charges and Taxes. Not included are other meals than mentioned in the program, optional tours, expenditures of personal nature

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