Encounters with Buddha
- 15 Nights / 16 Days
- Price : US$ 600/PP
Overview
Every sojourn of the exalted one, The Buddha, is as peaceful as his teachings. One can experience serenity in all the places during this 17-day journey. The first two places in this journey, Lumbini and Kushinagar, are the most significant ones. Lumbini in Nepal is the birthplace of the Buddha. Here the queen Maya gave birth to Siddharth Gautama, who later became Gautam Buddha. There are many religious temples and ancient ruins including the Maya Devi temple, Ashoka stupa, and monasteries in Lumbini. Kushinagar, one of the four highly sacred destinations in Buddhism, is the place where Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana (a state where a nirvana attained dies). One can also see the statue of the reclining Buddha and Mahanirvana stupa which were excavated in the year 1876-77 in Kushinagar.
Vaishali, another significant place in Buddha's wandering journey, is where lord buddha spent a considerable time of his teaching life and also delivered his last sermon. After Buddha's death, the second Buddhist council was held in Vaishali. Not only to Buddhism, Vaishali is also significant for Jains as this is the birthplace of Lord Mahavir. Vaishali also has an Ashoka pillar, dedicated to Buddha. It was erected by a great Indian ruler - Ashoka, who was a follower of Buddha.
Another destination in this journey, Rajgir, has the ruins of world's oldest university Nalanda, which gave many Buddhist scholars including Nagarjuna and Shantideva. Near Rajgir, Griddhkuta, "Hills of Vultures", is the rock outcrop where Buddha preached lotus sutra. Further ahead, Bodh Gaya, the most popular of any Buddhist pilgrimage destination is the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment while meditating for weeks under a sacred fig tree. However, the original tree is dead, but the one present at Bodh Gaya is cited as a direct descendant of the original tree. On this trip, you will also visit the popular Buddhist site Sarnath which is the first place where Buddha gave his sermon after enlightenment.
*Note : This is a starting price calculated for at least 2 people. The price may vary according to the number of travelers, season, services, and availability.
| Tour Starts from | Delhi |
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| Tour Ends at | Delhi |
| Destinations Covered | Delhi, Lumbini, Kushinagar, Patna, Rajgir, Bodh Gaya, Varanasi & Sarnath. |
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Itinerary
Arrive in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, receive assistance upon arrival, and transfer to the hotel. Spend the morning at leisure or venture out to explore Delhi - a melting pot of diverse Indian religions and cultures, and the perfect starting point for any religious and spiritual tour of India. In the afternoon, visit Majnu ka Tila, the Tibetan community in North Delhi, with its Buddhist monasteries, temples, Tibetan cafes, and shops.
Delhi Sightseeing
In the morning, enjoy sightseeing in dynamic New Delhi, including a visit to the impressive Humayun's Tomb, Qutab Minar, and India Gate. Also, drive past the Parliament Buildings & President's House. In the afternoon, enjoy a sightseeing tour of old Delhi, including an exhilarating cycle rickshaw ride to Jama Masjid through the bustling Chandni Chowk and its back roads, the center of the city during Shah Jehanabad in the Mughal times. Finally, continue onto the Raj Ghat, Mahatma Gandhi's cremation site.
Delhi - Lumbini
In the morning, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Gorakhpur. Arrive in Gorakhpur at 09:50. Meet assistance on arrival and drive to Lumbini (approximately 4 hours driving time). Check-in at the hotel.
Lumbini
In the morning, proceed for a day of sightseeing at the world heritage site of Lumbini, visiting the birthplace of the Buddha and the site where the Ashok Pillar carries the inscription marking the Buddha's birth. Visit the Mayadevi temple devoted to the mother of the Buddha, which houses a stone picture depicting her giving birth through her side while leaning against a tree branch that had lowered itself to support her. Explore the ancient ruins and modern temples built by all the Buddhist nations of the world.
Lumbini - Kushinagar
In the morning, drive to Kushinagar (approximately 4 to 5 hours driving time). Check-in at the hotel. (Kushinagar and Kasia Bazar is a town and a historical place located in the north-eastern marginal area of Uttar Pradesh. The name "Kasia Bazar" has been changed to Kushinagar, and after that, "Kasia Bazar" has officially become a municipality with the name "Kushinagar." Kushinagar has its own cultural and historical importance. It belongs to the Great Lord Buddha, founder of Buddhism, who delivered his last sermon, attained "Mahaparinirvana," and was cremated at Ramabhar, and is also associated with Lord Mahavir, the 24th tirthankar of Jain Sect, founder of Jainism. It is believed that Lord Mahavir passed away or attained Parinirvana at Pawa.)
Kushinagar
After breakfast, enjoy sightseeing of Kushinagar, visiting ancient stupas, modern temples, and the spectacular reclining Buddha statue commemorating the Buddha's death and cremation. Rest of the day at leisure.
Kushinagar - Patna
After breakfast, drive to Patna (approximately 4 to 5 hours driving time). Stop en route at Vaishali, where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon. The excavations carried out in Vaishali have brought to light Buddhist stupas built in brick with a casket containing part of the Buddha's ashes. Also, visit the 3rd-century pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka to commemorate the site of the Buddha's last sermon. Check-in at the hotel.
Patna - Rajgir
Morning drive to Rajgir (approximately 3 hours driving time), stopping en route at the 5th-century Buddhist university of Nalanda, home to revered Buddhist scholars like Nagarjuna and Shantideva. Visit the archaeological museum, which houses the Nalanda University seal, sculptures, and other remains found on the site. Continue driving to Rajgir. Check-in at the hotel.
Rajgir
Morning visit Griddhkuta “Hill of Vultures- Buddha is thought to have preached the Lotus Sutra on this rock outcrop. There are some faint remains of a 1500-year-old stupa, some prayer flags, and a small shrine where Buddhist pilgrims come to pray. Get here by walking down from the Vishwa Shanti Stupa and detouring for a 10-minute walk uphill along a processional way built by King Bimbisara 2500 years ago. Rest of the day at leisure.
Rajgir - Bodhgaya
Morning after breakfast drive to Bodhgaya (approximately 3 hours driving time). Check-in at the hotel. (Bodh Gaya is considered one of the holiest sites for Buddhists from across the world. Located approximately 8 miles from Gaya, Bodh Gaya is the place where Buddha attained enlightenment. The focal point here is the Mahabodhi Temple and its soaring pyramid-shaped spire. Enclosed in the stone railing is the Bodhi Tree under which Buddha meditated and reached enlightenment. The place was severely damaged by Muslim invaders in the 12th century, but restored by Burmese kings in the 14th century. As Buddhism moved away from India, the temple sites were left to ruin until the late 19th century when again, Burmese Buddhists excavated and restored the temples. A visit here will never fail to move one, with a constant stream of Buddhist pilgrims who surround the temple with their lulling chants. From November to February many of the exiled Tibetans congregate at this time, forming a huge canvas city next to the Gelugpa monastery.)
Evening visit the magnificent UNESCO World Heritage-listed Mahabodhi Temple, marking the hallowed ground where Buddha attained enlightenment and formulated his philosophy, forms the spiritual heart of Bodhgaya. Sit under the Bodhi tree of enlightenment, absorb the atmosphere of this pilgrimage town, and join Buddhists from all over the world.
Bodhgaya
After breakfast, embark on a sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya, visiting the great Buddha Statue and many modern monasteries and temples. Afternoon at leisure or optional visit to Mahakala Caves where Buddha is believed to have spent many years of penance practicing severe self-denial. A short climb leads to a Tibetan monastery and a small shrine within a cave. This site sees far fewer tourists.
Bodhgaya - Varanasi
Morning at leisure. Afternoon transfer to Gaya railway station to board HWH -LKO Express Train at 14:50 to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi station at 19:00. Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Excursion to Sarnath
Today we will drive 15km to spend some time at Sarnath, the deer park where the Buddha gave his first sermon, with its huge brick stupa. Evening enjoys a rickshaw ride up to the ghat and see the aarti prayer rituals on the banks of the Ganges.
Varanasi
Wake up early today for a magical sunrise boat ride on the Ganges and see the faithful perform their morning devotions amongst hundreds of temples and shrines. Morning we will explore the temples and winding alleyways of the old city. Rest of the day at leisure.
Varanasi - Delhi
After breakfast, transfer to Varanasi airport to board a flight to Delhi. Arrive in Delhi and transfer to your hotel. Check-in at the hotel.
Delhi - Next Destination
Morning transfer to the international airport to board your flight home.
