Footsteps of Lord Buddha

Arrival assistance at the Bhariwa airport and drive to Lumbini. On arrival check into the hotel. Overnight Lumbini.

Morning sightseeing of Lumbini and there after leave for Sravasti by road (225kms/6hrs.).On arrival check into the hotel and overnight at hote.

Today in the morning drive from Sravasti to Kushinagar. Kushinagar is the place where the Buddhachose for his Mahaparinirvana, or final exit from this earth.Kushinagar or Kushinara as it was then known was the capital of the Malla Republic, one of the republican states of northern India during the 6th and 5th centuries BC. There are several new monasteries and temples. Today we visit the RambharStupa that marks Buddha’s cremation ground. Mahakashyapa lit the funeral prayer at MukutabandhaVihara (RambharStupa) in Kushinagar. Today not much remains of this stupa except a large brick mount rising to a height of almost 15 metres set within a well-kept park. And we will visit Kushinagar museum.

In the morning after having breakfast we drive further to Patna via Vaishali. Patna, was thriving township ancient Indian town of Pataliputra was thriving township during the Buddha’s lifetime. Patna, the state capital of Bihar is situated on the banks of the Ganga. It is the major entry point for pilgrims who wish to travel in the footsteps of the Buddha. Today we will drive to Kumrahar to see the ruins of Pataliputra which is about 6 km from Gandhi Maidan. The remains of a massive assembly hall with bases of 80 pillars have been excavated at the site, of which only one pillar remains intact.

After breakfast we drive to Rajgir. Enroute we visit Nalanda, the ancient Buddhist University. During the lifetime of the Buddha Rajgir (Rajgriha) was the capital of the powerful Magadhan Kingdom, ruled by the virtuous king Bimbisara. Rajgir is about 100 km from Patna.

Rajgir is a site of great sanctity and significance for Buddhists.TheGridhakuta Hill, was the seat from where Buddha delivered many of his sermons.It was here that the teachings of Buddha were recorded in writing for the first time.

Ropeway takes you up the hill where the Japanese have built a beautiful Stupa. Rajgir is also famous for its seven hot Sulphur Springs, Satadhara.Satadhara is situated at the foot of Vaibhava Hill.

In the morning after having breakfast we drive to Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya (once Uruvela village) is the place where 2500 years ago in the 6th century BC, a young ascetic, Siddhartha attained enlightenment to become the Buddha and found Buddhism one of the world’s oldest religions. Bodhgaya is the spiritual home of the Buddhists. Today we visit the Mahabodhi temple built to mark the spot where the Buddha attained enlightenment. The famous Mahabodhi temple, which stands in the centre of the Mahabodhi Temple complex has been restored and rebuilt over the centuries. The Mahabodhi Temple Complex houses all the major pilgrimage spots. A large circular stone with the Buddha’s footprints is kept in a small shrine on the left. We also visit the Bodhgaya museum that is located near the Mahabodhi temple. It houses antiquities excavated in and around Bodhgaya. It has a large collection of Buddhist and Hindu relies (terra cotta) seals, scriptures and pillars from the Sunga period.

In the morning we drive further to Varanasi. Varanasi is without doubt India’s most sacred city and thus visited by over one million people. Varanasi is also called the city of light -Kashi or Benaras. Buddha visited this city in 500 BC. Varanasi is regarded one of the oldest and the holiest city. According to the Indian chronicles, Varanasi was established as a city around twelve hundred years ago before the Christian era.

In the early morning we take boat -ride on the holy River Ganges and enjoy sunrise on the boat. Ghats (flight of steps) and the activities of pilgrims on that, are the principal attraction for visitors to Varanasi. Thousands of pilgrims and devotees visit this city to make holy prayers, to meditate and to purify themselves through taking a bath in the holy river Ganges. In the noon we visit SarnathStupa ,Temple and museum.

In the afternoon we drive to the airport for the flight out from Varanasi to New Delhi. Arrival assistance at the Delhi airport and transfer to the hotel. Overnight Delhi.

Morning Sightseeing of Delhi covering India Gate, Parliament house, QutabMinar, Lotus Temple and Humayun Tomb. Afternoon free for shopping and evening depart to airport to fly back home.