Buddhist Splendour - Delhi, Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Varanasi

Arrive at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, meet & greet with Traditional Indian welcome. Transfer to the hotel.

Delhi stands as the capital of Modern India. Here you can see the mingling of the Old and New India, the ancient and the modern. Delhi is made up of seven ancient cities, spanning the period from the 11th to 20th centuries. Delhi has seen the rise and fall of many emperors, which have left behind a plethora of monuments that commemorate the grandeur and glory of bygone ages. Very few cities in the world can express such a profusion of architectural styles. Overnight stay at the hotel.

After breakfast visit Old Delhi. It was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Shah Jehan possessing an exquisite talent, especially in architecture, created the seventh city and in the process brought about Delhi's glorious renaissance. Here you will see Red Fort, the most opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. The fort is Shah Jehan's symbol of power and elegance, built behind red sandstone walls. Its main gate (Lahore Gate) faces Chandni Chowk, the perpetually congested avenue heading west from the Red Fort, is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. If you peer through a portico you may see a man getting shaved, silver being weighed, or any other conceivable form of intense commerce.

Also take a Cycle Rickshaw Puller Ride through the bustling and colorful market of the old city is filled with twisting lanes, small streets and crowded bazaars. If you peer through a portico you may see a man getting shaved, silver being weighed, or any other conceivable form of intense commerce. Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi.

In the afternoon, visit New Delhi. It was designed and built by the British in the 1920's-it's a city of wide boulevards impressive Government buildings, green parks and gardens. In 1911 King George V announced the transfer of the capital from Calcutta to Delhi. The King's architects, Lutyens and Baker, set in motion the Design and construction of Delhi's eight cities - New Delhi. Lutyens designed an "Imperial City" having palatial-sized buildings set amid broad tree-lined avenues punctuated by Mughal style gardens, complete with fountains and shallow pools. It took 20 years to complete this immense undertaking only to have the British pack up and relinquish the subcontinent in 1947. You will visit two monuments from Delhi's past - Humayun's Tomb and Qutub Minar. drive pass through the Raisina Hill, ceremonial avenue past the imposing India Gate, Government Buildings, President House and Parliament House. Also visit Sikh Gurudwara Bangla Sahib to see the worship etc. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Transfer to New Delhi Railway Station to board the train for Lucknow. Arrive Lucknow – The Capital of Uttar Pradesh, the Largest State in India – arrive at 1230 hrs. Upon arrival, proceed to Balrampur.

Balarampur – an important Buddhist pilgrim centre nestling near the foothills of the Himalayas. The Buddhist circuit road passes through, enabling pilgrims to walk in the footprints of the Enlightened one. Sravasti – the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens. Also known as Sahet – Mahet, are two different sit’s the main one being Sahet and about 500 meters away is located Mahet. The city believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast, has age-old stupas, majaestic monasteries and several temples. Budha is said to have performed some miracles here. This holy place also has the famous Anand Bodhi tree, an offspring of the one said to have been planted by Buddha’s main disciple Anand. Sightseeing of Sahet & Mahet. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning drive to Lumbini, birth place of Lord Buddha, en route visit Kapilavastu (Piprawaha). Kapilavastu was the ancient capital of the Sakya Clan whose ruler was the father of Buddha, for which reason the Buddha is also referred to as the Sakyamuni. Prince Gautam, as the Buddha was then known, left his palace in Kapilavastu at the age of 29 & revisited it 12 yrs. later, long after he had attained enlightenment. A large Stupa stands at the ancient sight which is said to have the bone relics of the Buddha.

We continue our drive to Lumbini (95 kms. from Kapilavastu). Situated across the Border in Nepal, Lumbini is the Birth Place of Lord Buddha. Upon arrival check in hotel. Later on visit to Ashkokan Column, the famous rummindei pillar, which commemorated the emperor’s visit in 249 B.C., still stands to mark the sacred spot of the Buddha’s nativity. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning drive to Kushinagar via Gorakhpur, which is 55 kms away from Kushinagar. Kushinagar is one of the principal center of the Buddhist pilgrimage, is the place where Lord Buddha left his corporeal self and attained Mahaparinirvana. The monuments of Kushinagar are situated in three distinct groups compromising the main sight of the Nirvana Temple, the central stupa & surrounding monasteries, the Mathakuarkot & the Ramabhar stupa. Upon arrival check in hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning drive to holy City of Varanasi. En route visit Sarnath – 10 kms from the holy city of Varanasi, is the blessed locale where more than 2,500 years ago Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon, after attaining Nirvana. The five disciples who had followed him were surprised to see the mesmerizing glowing countenance of Buddha, who convinced them and delivered his first sermon before them, now termed Dharmachakra Pravartan. This set in mot in the great Buddhist tradition of the Sangha, for popularizing the teachings of the great ascetic, worldwide. Gautam Buddha with his five disciples formed the first Sangha along with Yasa of Varanasi and his 54 friends. The beginning of the celebrated Mantra, “Buddham Sharanam Gachhami” owes its origin to Sarnath. The three jewels “I go for refuge to the Buddha, I go for refuge to the Wheel of Law, I go for refuge to the Sangha” first laid down here, have remained unchanged ever since. Hence rightly, every Buddhist Pilgrim after Bodhgaya, endeavvours to be blessed with a visit to Sarnath in his lifetime. Upon arrival check in hotel.

Evening you can see “Aarti” Ceremony on the River Ganges & Stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars full of shops selling, among other things, the world-famous Banaras Silks. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning visit some of the Hindu Temples that line the river Ganges & boat excursion on the holy river Ganga to see the Bathing ghats and crimination sites. Watching people bathing and worshiping at the ghats is one of the most extraordinary experiences of a visit to India. Later, proceed fot the city tour, which includes Bharat Mata temple with a big relief map of India in marble, Durga temple, Tulsi Manas mandir, Banaras Hindu University etc. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning drive to Bodhgaya – in the state of Bihar where Lord Sakyamuni (Gautam Buddha) entered in to meditation after being moved the sufferings of mankind. The giant Budhi tree (Peepal) that we see today is believed to have grown from the original Budhi tree under which, sitting of the raised platform, Prince Siddhartha meditated & finally attained Nirvana. Upon arrival check into hotel.

Morning visit just adjacent to the Maha Bodhi temple is the Shaivite Monastery that has a cluster of four temples. Also visit Jaganath Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has the statue of the deity, carved in the glistening black stone and visit  Bodhgaya archeological museum. Later drive to Rajgir, en route visit Barabar Caves and Nalanda - the famous and ancient seat of learning. The ruins of one of the World’s most ancient university upon arrival check in hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

In the morning, proceed for the city tour of Rajgir – the Ancient Capital of Magadh Kings. Buddha often came here. Is an important place of pilgrimage for Hindus as the temple complex here is to the Sun God. Visit Swarna Gufa, where a treasurer house of gold is supposed to be hidden, Gridhakuta (Vulture’s Peak) where Buddha meditated, today in modern temples – the Vishwa Shanti Stupa. Drive to Patna. Upon arrival check into the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Morning return excursion to Vaishali (63 kms. from Patna) - A small village surrounded by banana & mango groves and rice fields. Vaishali, on the left bank of Gantak river, is spiritually supreme. Lord Buddha visited this place frequently and at Kolhua. Later drive back to Patna airport to board the flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and transfer to International airport to board the flight for Onward Destination.

The above itinerary can be further customized as per your travel requirements.