Buddhism in India | Trip to Varanasi | Mahabodhi Temple | Bodhgaya Tours

Arrive Indira Gandhi International Airport Meet & greet by presentable representative of Recreation Travels with special welcome. Transfer to hotel.

Start the day with Old Delhi was an ancient walled city. Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan in 1650 switched the Mughal capital from Agra to Delhi. Here you will view Red Fort, the most Opulent Fort and Palace of the Mughal Empire. Also visit Raj Ghat, the memorial site of the Mahatma Gandhi; Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India; and Chandni Chowk, the bustling and colorful market of the old city.

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. Visit to Qutub Minar. Drive pass through the Raisina Hill, past the imposing India Gate and Parliament House. Evening return to the Red Fort to watch the “Son et Lumire” show which is Interplay of colorful lights and sound tracing the history of monument till date. Overnight stay

Early morning transfer to Railway station to board the Shatabdi Express train for Lucknow at 06:15hrs. Arrive Lucknow at 12:30hrs. Upon arrival drive to Saravasti – 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 kingSravast, 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. Evening sightseeing of Sahet & Mahet Overnight stay

Morning drive to Lumbini en route visit to Balrampur 29 kms from Sravasti – an important Buddhist pilgrim centre nestling near the foothills of the Himalyaas. The Buddhist circuit road passes through, enabling pilgrims to walk in the footprints of the enlightened one upon arrival check in hotel. Overnight stay

Early morning Boat excursion on the Holy River Ganges 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 full day return excursion to 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 werw 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 motin the great Buddhist tradition of the Sangha, for popularizing the teachings of the great ascetic, world-wide. Gautam Buddha with his five disciples formed the first Sangha alogwith Yasa of Varanasi and his 54 friends. The bigining 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 unchaged ever since. Hencerightly, every Buddhist Pilgrim after Bodhgaya, endeavvours to be blessed with a visit to Sarnath in his life time. Later proceed for railway station to board Marudhar Express at 17.20 hrs for Agra Overnight journey

Arrive Agra at 06:10hrs transfer to hotel and visit the Agra Fort & Itmad-ud-Daulah.

At sunset time see the Glory of the Taj Mahal - Monument to Love which was built in 1630 by Mghal Emperor Shah Jahan as a tomb for his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1631, and is believed to have taken 18 years to complete, with over 20,000 craftsmen working around the clock. The design and construction is said to be that of the legendary architect, Ustad Ahamad Lahori. Legend has it that once construction was completed, Shah Jehan had Lahori's hands cut off, and blinded, so he would never be able to duplicate the structure. What makes the Taj Mahal unique is its perfect proportions, distinct femininity, medium of construction and ornamentation. Its marble exterior reflects rose and golden tints at sunrise and sunset, while it is dazzling white during the day. It is impossible to visualize the Taj Mahal in any surrounding others than its paradoxical garden. Paradise, in Islam, is visualized as a lush garden where running streams flow. When the Mughals brought this concept to India they elevated it to heights of Incomparable artistry. Overnight stay

After breakfast drive to Delhi via visit to Sikandra – site of the tomb of the tomb of the greatest Mughal Emperor Akbar. Arrive Delhi visit to New Delhi - 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. In1911 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. Visit two monuments from Delhi's past - Humayun's Tomb, Qutub Minar & Lotus Temple. Drive pass through the Raisina Hills past the imposing India Gate,President House and Parliament House.

Later proceed to International Airport to board the flight for Onward destination.

•        Taj Mahal closed on Friday

•        Delhi Red Fort closed on Monday.