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In the sixth century before the Christian era,
religion was forgotten in India. The lofty teachings
of the Vedas were thrown into the background. There
was much priest craft everywhere. The insincere
priests traded on religion. They duped the people in
a variety of ways and amassed wealth for themselves.
They were quite irreligious. In the name of
religion, people followed in the footsteps of the
cruel priests and performed meaningless rituals.
They killed innocent dumb animals and did various
sacrifices. The country was in dire need of a
reformer of Buddha's type. At such a critical
period, when there were cruelty, degeneration and
unrighteousness everywhere, reformer Buddha was born
to put down priestcraft and animal sacrifices, to
save the people and disseminate the message of
equality, unity and cosmic love everywhere. Buddha's
father was Suddhodana, king of the Sakhyas. Buddha's
mother was named Maya. Buddha was born in B.C. 560
and died at the age of eighty in B.C. 480. The place
of his birth was a grove known as Lumbini, near the
city of Kapilavastu, at the foot of Mount Palpa in
the Himalayan ranges within Nepal. This small city
Kapilavastu stood on the bank of the little river
Rohini, some hundred miles north-east of the city of
Varnasi. As the time drew nigh for Buddha to enter
the world, the gods themselves prepared the way
before him with celestial portents and signs.
Holiday India Online offers to India Buddhist
Tour, Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour, Buddhist Pilgrimage
Tour Packages, India Buddha Temple Tour.
Bodhgaya Site of Buddha's enlightenment :
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Lumbini |
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Bodhgaya |
Site of Buddha's enlightenment |
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Sarnath |
First turning of the Wheel of Dharma |
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Rajgir |
Second turning of the Wheel of Dharma |
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Sravasti |
Teachings in the Jetavana Grove |
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Sankashya |
Where Lord Buddha descended from Tushita Heaven
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Nalanda |
Site of the great
monastic university |
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Kushinagar |
Where Buddha entered mahaparinirvana |
Duration: 11 nights / 12 days
Destinations Covered: Delhi - Varanasi - Boghdaya -
Rajgir - Nalanda- Patna - kushinagar - Lumbini -
Sravasthi - Balrampur - Lucknow- Delhi
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
A traditional welcome awaits your arrival at the
international airport. Assistance on arrival and
transfer to the Hotel. Overnight in Delhi
Day 02 : In Delhi
Full day sightseeing of Old and New Delhi. Morning,
half day city tour of Old Delhi includes the Raj
Ghat (Mahatma Gandhi's Memorial), the Jama Masjid
(The Universal Mosque, Red Fort, and on cycle
rickshaws to the fabled Chandhi Chowk (Silver
Street) - including the spice market,
Gold/Silversmith market etc. Afternoon, city tour of
New Delhi includes the Qutab Minar, Emperor
Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, the Houses of Parliament
and the Presidential Palace (Rashtrapati Bhawan).
Overnight in Delhi
Day 03 : Delhi - Varanasi (Flight)
Transfer to airport to board flight for Varanasi.
Varanasi - one of the oldest living cities in the
world. It is also one of the holiest Hindu cities
and still thriving on its religious past. On arrival
in Varanasi transfer to hotel. Evening attend PUJA
ceremony on the river Ganges. Overnight in Varanasi
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Day 04 : In Varanasi
Early Morning, boat ride at the Holy River Ganges to
see the devout praying on the Ghats (Banks), with
funeral pyres burning in the distance. Walk through
the by lanes. Morning, City sightseeing tour of
Varanasi. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath. Overnight
in Varanasi
Day 05 : Varanasi - Bodhgaya ( 5 Hours drive)
Morning, proceed to Bodhgaya , reckoned as the most
important Buddhist pilgrimage centre, is the place
where Lord Sakyamuni (Gautam Buddha) entered into
meditation after being moved by the sufferings of
mankind. The giant Bodhi Tree (Peepal) is believed
to have grown from the original Bodhi Tree under
which, sitting on the raised platform, Prince
Siddharth meditated and finally attained Nirvana.
Overnight in Bodhgaya
Day 06 : In Bodhgaya
Morning sightseeing of Bodhgaya visiting the Bodhi
Tree, Chaukramana, the jewel Walk, where it is
believed that the Buddha strolled while in deep
thought. Also visit Shaivite Monastery and famous
Jagganath Temple. Overnight in Bodhgaya
Day 07 : Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Patna ( 5
hours)
Morning, proceed to Patna en route visit Rajgir -
the place where Buddha meditated and preached; first
Buddhist Council was held here. Also visit Nalanda -
is known for its Archaeological Complex and Museum.
On arrival check in to the hotel. Overnight at Patna
Day 08 : Patna - Vaishali -Kushinagar (6 Hours)
Morning proceed to Vaishali - known for Buddha
Stupas, Ashoka Pillar and Bawan Pokhar Temple.
Finally leave for Kushinagar. On arrival check in to
the hotel. Overnight at Kushinagar
Day 09: In Kushinagar
Morning, visits - Kushinagar, one of the principal
centres of Buddhist pilgrimage, is the place of
Mahaparinirvana. Afternoon, drive to Lumbini and
check in to the hotel. Afternoon visit - 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 10 : Lumbini - Sravanti - Balrampur ( 3
Hours)
Morning, proceed to Sravasti - is a sacred site for
Buddhists because it is here that Lord Buddha
performed the greatest of his miracles to confound
the Tirthika heretics. Further proceed to Balrampur.
On arrival check in to the Hotel. Overnight in
Balrampur
Day 11: Balrampur - Lucknow ( 3 ½ hours drive)
Lucknow -Delhi (Shatabdi Exp. Dep. 1535 Hours - Arr.
Delhi 2210 Hours). Morning proceed to Lucknow to
board Shatabdi express for Delhi. On arrival
transfer to the Hotel. Overnight in Hotel
Day 12 : Departure Delhi
Transfer to the international airport to board
flight for your next destination.
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