Buddhist Tour-The Lotus Trail

Delhi – Lucknow – Sravasti – Lumbini – Kushinagar- Bodhgaya – Patna –
Vaishali – Varanasi – Agra – Delhi

Morning transfer to New Delhi Railway station to board the Swran Shatabdi Express at 0.615 hrs by air condition chair car. Arrive Lucknow - The Capital of Uttar Pradesh, the Largest State in India at 12.30 hrs and drive to Sravasti 88 kms and 3-½ hrs. 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, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha 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 Sravasti

Morning drive to Lumbini birth place of Lord Buddha en route visit Kapilvastu (Piprawaha). Kapilvastu 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 Kapilvastu 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 Kapilvastu). Situated across the Border in Nepal, Lumbini is the Birth Place of Lord Buddha upon arrival check in hotel. Later on visit to Ashokan 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 Lumbini.

After some sightseeing in Lumbini. Later drive to Kushinagar - is one of the principal center of the Buddhist pilgrimage, is the place where Lord Buddha left his corporeal self and attained Mahaparinirvana. Afternoon visit 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 to the South West & the Ramabhar stupa, a km. to the East. Upon arrival check in hotel. The statue of the Reclining Buddha at the temple is one of the most sacred sites for the pilgrims and a mound of bricks marks the place where Buddha is said to have been cremated. Overnight at Hotel in Kushinagar. Overnight stay at Kushinagar.

Morning drive to Patna. En-route visit Vaishali, which is believed to be the first republic of the world. Having an elected body of representatives holds special significance for the Buddhist devotees. At Kolhua, Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon, hinting at his impending departure from the mortal world. Vaishali is famous for Amrapali, the beautiful dancer and courtesan of Vaishali, who offered Buddha a mango orchard and was so impressed by his teachings that she later became a nun (Bhikshu). Later, Emperor Ashoka erected a huge Pillar to commemorate the spot of Buddha’s last sermon. Continue drive to Patna. Arrive Patna and check-in at Hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Patna

Morning drive to Bodhgaya. En-route visit Nalanda, home to one of the oldest known universities of the world. Its ruins show that over 2000 teachers and 10000 students from all over the Buddhist world lived and studied here. The Chinese chronicler Huien Tsang spent many years here, both as a student and a teacher. An international centre for Buddhist studies also functions here. Later, visit Bamboo Garden, Rajgir, and the ancient capital of the Magadh Kings. Buddha came here often, Visit Gridha-kuta (Vulture peak). Proceed to Arrive Bodhgaya and check-in at Hotel. Overnight at Hotel in Bodhgaya.

Morning proceed for a visit to the Mahabodhi Temple and Lord Buddha Temple. Remainder of the day is at Leisure. Overnight at Hotel in Bodhgaya.

Morning drive to Varanasi. En-route visit Sarnath, 10 Kms. east 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 endeavors to be blessed with a visit to Sarnath in his lifetime. Continue drive to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and check-in at Hotel.

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.
Afternoon transfer to Airport to board the Flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi escorted transfer to Hotel, overnight stay in Delhi.

Today early morning Transfer to station to board at the Shatabdi Express at 0.600 hrs. Arrived Agra at 0.800 hrs. Visit the Agra Fort – built by the great Emperor Akbar in 1565 A.D., the fort is a masterpiece of design and construction. Within the fort are a number of exquisite buildings, including the Moti Masjid, Diwane-I-Am, Diwane-I-Khas and Musamman Burj, where the Emperor Shah Jahan died in imprisonment, besides Jahangir’s Palace, Khaas Mahal and the Sheesh Mahal. Itmad-ud-Daulah built by Empress Noor Jehan in the memory of Her Father.

Enjoy the Magnificent Taj Mahal – The New 7 wonder of the world and Monument of Love in the warm glow of Sunset, which was built in 1630 by Mughal 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. 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.

As you drive through the city witness the local life and bazaars (markets) and the hustle bustle of everyday India. Agra is famous for Marble Items. Evening transfer to station to board the Shatabdi Express at 20.30 hrs. Arrived Delhi at 22.30 hrs

Evening see the "aarti" ceremony on the banks of the river Ganges and stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars full of shops selling the world-famous Banaras Silks among many other things. Overnight at Hotel in Varanasi.

Morning proceed for sightseeing tour of New & Old Delhi. Visit the 12th Century Qutab Minar; gracefully fluted and hand carved for its entire height of 234 feet. Near it stands the Iron Pillar which has withstood the ravages of time and hasn’t rusted in 840 years. Also, visit the graceful mausoleum of the Mughal Emperor Humayun’s and the modern Birla Temple. Drive past the President's House, the Parliament House and the Secretariat buildings. The Red Fort, which was built in 1648 by Mughal Emperor Shahjahan and the Jama Masjid, which is one of the largest mosques in India are other places of interest. The Raj Ghat the cremation sites of Mahatma Gandhi. Besides these, visit Chandni Chowk for a unique shopping experience at Old Delhi.

Say good-bye to this fascinating evening with sweet and memorable memories. Transfer to airport to board your flight for onward destination.