Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

Half Day Sightseeing of the city. Overnight at hotel.

Leave Calcutta/Delhi for Patna by air. Drive to Bodhgaya (125 kms. / 3 hrs.) where the Buddha attained enlightenment and which is one of the most sacred pilgrimage places for the Buddhist. Enroute visit Nalanda and Rajgir. Nalanda-a great center of Buddhist learning and one of the most famed university citadels of ancient times. Rajgir-it was once the ancient capital of the powerful kingdom of Maghada. From the out skirts of Rajgir, a historic road leads to Gridha - Kuta or vultures peak where the Buddha preached, here the first Buddhist Council was held after the Lord's Mahaparinirvana.

Sightseeing of Bodhgaya. Here under the Bodhi Tree, Shakyamuni Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha, "the Enlightened one" the propounder of one of the great relegious of the world. River Nirajnana in which the Buddha bathed after attaining elightment flows qulitely outside the tiny hamlet. Overnight in Bodhgaya.

Morning leave Bodhgaya for Varanasi (275 kms. / 7-8 hrs.) by Surface. Later, excursion to Sarnath the place Lord Buddha gave its sermon. Overnight in Varanasi.

Early morning boat ride on the River Ganges to see the sun rise and the bathing ghats of an ancient Hindu city. Later, leave Varanasi for Kushinagar (250 kms. / 7-8 hrs.). Overnight in Kushinagar.

Morning visit Mahaparinirvana Temple and Ramabhar Stupa. Later drive to Lumbini by surface (170 kms. / 4 hrs.). Sightseeing of Lumbini where the Lord Buddha was born. Visit the pillar raised by Emperor Ashok, In the twenty first year after his coronation at the birthplace. Proceed to Balrampur (197 kms. / 6 hrs.).

Leave Balrampur for Lucknow enroute visit Sravasti ( Sahet-Mahet) capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, an active centre for Buddhism. Overnight in Lucknow.

After breakfast drive to Agra. On arrival check-in at hotel and relax. Overnight Agra Hotel.

Visit Taj Mahal sunrise time around 0500 hrs. Back to hotel for breakfast. Morning sightseeing of Agra Fort and city. Afternoon drive back to Delhi via sightseeing of Sikandra Tomb and Akshardham Temple. Overnight Delhi Hotel.

Day at leisure in Delhi. In time departure transfer to airport to catch return flight.

Departure