(Unit of Immense Holiday Travels )
Duration :- 10 Nights 11 Days
Destinations :- New Delhi - Lucknow - Sravasti - Lumbini - Khushinagar - Vaishali - Patna - Rajgir - Nalanda - Bodhgaya - Sarnath - Varanasi - Agra - New Delhi
Day 1: New Delhi
Upon arrival you will be meeting at the airport with garlands. Our executive would escort you to your hotel. We would have done a pre check in for you at the hotel which saves you time in the middle of the night. Overnight at Hotel.
Day 2: New Delhi - Lucknow - SravastiEarly driver to Lucknow. After reaching Visit the Jetavana Gardens where the Buddha spent twenty four rainy seasons. At Sravasti, Buddha confounded his critics with a million-fold anifestation of himself seated on a thousand-petalled lotus, as fire and water emanated from his body. Also visit the Augulimala Cave & the Ananda Bodhi Tree. Overnight at Sravasti.
Day 3: Sravasti - Lumbini
Leave early in the morning for Lumbini which is about 7 hours away into Nepal. Stop for lunch at Siddharthanagar. Arrive Lumbini, visit the birth place of the Buddha. Your tour of Lumbini include the Lumbini Gardens, the Ashokan or Rummir pillar, the base relief image of Maya Devi, Puskarnim - the sacred poolsanctum of the birthplace of the Buddha. Overnight at Lumbini.
Day 4: Lumbini - Khushinagar
After early breakfast proceed to Kushinagar (5 hours). It is here that the Buddhapassed into Mahaparirvana. The Mahaparinirvana Temple houses a recumbent figure of the Buddha brought from Mathura by the monk Haribala. Also visit the brick ruins of the Rambhar Stupa representing the Chaitya which was erected on the sacred grounds of the Buddha's cremation. Here you will also see the Indo-Japan-Sri Lanka Buddhist centres and temples of various other nations. Overnight at Kushinagar.
Day 5: Khushinagar - Vaishali - Patna
After breakfast proceed to Vaishali. Vaishali was the centre of the Buddhist Council congregation, held after 100 years of the Buddha's Mahaparinirvana. At Kolhua Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon. Later, Emperor Ashoka erected a huge pillar to commemorate the spot of the last sermon. Proceed to Patna for your overnight stay.
Day 6: Patna - Rajgir - Nalanda - Bodhgaya
After breakfast proceed to Rajgir, the site of great sanctity and significance for Buddhists. The Gridhakuta hill was the seat from where the Buddha delivered many of His sermons. It was here that the teachings of the Buddha were recorded in writing for the first time. An aerial ropeway takes pilgrims up the hill where the Japanese have built a beautiful Stupa. Visit Veluvana (Bamboo Garden), the Vulture's Peak, Sattapanni Cave (site of 1st Buddhist Council) and other Buddhist sites. Leave for Nalanda which holds the site of the oldestuniversities of the world. It had twelve million books, ten thousand students, two thousand teachers and was a centre of great learning which reached its zenith between the 5th & 12th centuries AD. Both Lord Buddha and Lord Mahavira are said to have visited this place. Emperor Ashoka built a Vihara, while Emperor Harshvardhan donated a 26m high copper image of the Buddha. Emperor Kumar Gupta on the other hand built a college of fine arts at Nalanda. Arrive at the holy city of Bodhgaya by evening for your next destination on your pilgrimage.
Day 7: Bodhgaya
Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centre where Lord Buddha attained spiritual birth. Visit the magnificent Mahabodhi Temple, the giant Bodhi tree which is believed to have grown from the original Bodhi tree where the Buddha attained Nirvana. Also visit the Chankarama, the Jewel-walk where Buddha strolled while in deep thought as well other temples and monasteries erected in this holy city by Buddhists from across the world.
Day 8: Bodhgaya - Sarnath - Varanasi
After an early breakfast proceed to Varanasi, one of the holiest and fascinating cities in the East (6 hours). Visit Saranath. The Dhamek Stupa here marks the spot of the Buddha's first sermon after enlightenment at this deer park. The museum with a remarkable statue of the Buddha setting the Wheel of Law in motion is another item of interest. Also visit the Mulagandha Kutir Temple. Saranath's hallmark is its tranquility. Return to Varanasi by evening for your overnight stay.
Day 9: Varanasi - Agra
Proceed on an early morning cruise on the River Ganges to see the sunrise and bathing ghats. Free for own activities or visit temples and monasteries. Afternoon drive to driver to Agra. Overnight Agra.
Day 10: Agra
After Breakfast proceed to the world famous monument of love known as Taj Mahal,one of the 7 Wonders in the World & evening visit Agra fort. Overnight stay.
Day 11: Agra - New Delhi
After breakfast Drive to Delhi & visit Lotus Temple, drive pass of President House, Parliament House, India gate. After Dinner transfer to International Airport.