Buddhist Pilgrimage & Taj Mahal Tour India and Nepal
Duration: 10N11D
Destination Covered: Delhi, Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Vaishali, Kusinagar, Lumbini, Sravasti, Lucknow, Sankasya, Agra
Tour Themes: Budhist Pilgrimage, Taj Mahal
Price: On Request
Overview
About Buddhist Pilgrimage: Lord Buddha was born at Lumbini on India Nepal border. Most of the religious sites relating to
Lord Buddha’s life are located in Central India and Nepal. All these sites are sacred to Buddhist. In this tour we have included
the eight most important pilgrims centers already discovered as related to Lord Buddha's life. These pilgrims centers includes
Sravasti - the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons,Lumbini -
the birth place of Buddha, Kushinagar - where Lord Buddha attained parinirvana, Vaisali - where Buddha preached his last
sermon and announced his parinirvana, Rajgir - capital of old Magadh empire, Nalanda - site of world's oldest University where
the great Chinese scholar and traveler Hieun Tsang stayed for five years in early 7 th century AD to study Buddhism, Bodhgaya
- where Lord Buddha got enlightenment 2500 years ago, Sarnath (Varanasi) - where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon
after he got enlightened. Buddha means "awakened one" or "the enlightened one." "Buddha" is also used as a title for the first
awakened being in an era. In most Buddhist traditions, Siddhartha Gautama is regarded as the Supreme Buddha of our age.
Itinerary
Day 01 :- : ARRIVE DELHI – FLY TO VARANASI
Arrive Delhi airport. On arrival met by your Odyssey Manager and transfer to one of the local restaurant for lunch. After lunch transfer to
the domestic airport to board on your scheduled flight to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and transfer to the hotel for check in and overnight stay.
Day 02 :- VARANASI – BODHGAYA (242 Km, around 6 hours drive)
Morning to explore the Ghats for Sunrise and explore by the boat ride on river Ganges.Varanasi situated on the bank of Ganges is the city
of Shiva and the holiest for the Hindus. Varanasi is also known Benaras or Kashi. This city has been centre of learning for over 2000
years. Ganges is known as the river of salvation and people come here to leave this world and breathe here their last breath, so that they
are out of the cycle of life and death and suffering, also known as Moksha. Afternoon start with your land journey to the next destination of
Bodhagaya. Arrive Bodhgaya and check in to the hotel for a comfortable overnight stay.
Day 03 :- BODHGAYA EXPLORATION
A day to explore Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya situated on the west bank of the river Niranjana, where Buddha finally abandoned years of rigorous
fasting and asceticism by accepting milk rice and honey from Shepherdess. After a bath in the river, he settled himself below the
branches of Bodhi tree to meditation, finally enlightened in the full moon night. Bodhgaya is the spiritual home of Buhddhists. After
breakfast visit the Mahabodhi Temple which built by King Ashoka in 2250 years ago, the Bodhi tree, Niranjana River, Sujata Village. There
are more than 20 monasteries built in the neighborhoods by different countries of the world. Night stay in Bodhgaya.
Day 04 :- BODHGAYA – RAJGIR – NALANDA – VAISHALI (171 km, 4 hours drive and 2-3 hours visiting time)
After breakfast drive to Vaishalivisiting-Nalanda&Rajgir on the way. Rajgir –The picturesque Rajgir, or Rajagriha as it was known in the
past (literally, the abode of kings) is surrounded by the meandering river Banganga and 5 hills. During the lifetime of the Buddha this was
the capital of the powerful Magadhan kingdom, ruled by the virtuous King Bimbisara. The hills and caves surrounding Rajagriha were
home to spiritual teachers, ranging from the materialism of the early Charavakaschool to the metaphysics of Upanishadic philosophers.
Like many others in search of truth, Prince Siddhartha, after he renounced his royal heritage came to this city to seek the path of vation.
Nalanda –Nalanda was the most renowned university in ancient India. It derived its name from Na-alam-da, meaning Insatiable in Giving,
one of the names by which the Lord Buddha was known. On completion drive to reach Vaishali for overnight stay.
Day 05 VAISHALI – KUSHINAGAR (227 km, 4-5 hours drive and one hour visiti)
Morning to visit Vaishali, where Gautama Buddha delivered his last sermon at Vaishali and announced his Parinirvana here. A kilometre
away is Abhishek Pushkarini, the coronation tank. The sacred waters of the tank anointed the elected representatives of Vaishali. Next to it
stands the Japanese temple and the Vishwa Shanti Stupa (World Peace Pagoda) built by the NipponzanMyohoji sect of Japan. A small
part of the Buddha's relics found in Vaishali have been enshrined in the foundation and in the chhatra of the Stupa. Near the coronation
tank is Stupa 1 or the Relic Stupa. On completion start with your land journey to reach your next destination of Kushinagar. Arrive
Kushinagar and check in to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 06 :- KUSHINAGAR – LUMBINI (NEPAL) 161 km, 4 hours - Need some extra time at border
In the morning proceed with the exploration tour of Kushinagar. Start with your prayer at Mahaparinirvana Temple. Buddha finally attained
Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar and it is another major pilgrims center for Buddhist. Amongst the ruins are the Mukutbandhan Stupa and a
statue of the reclining Buddha. On completion start with the land journey up to the Indo-Nepal border and after immigration drive to reach
Lumbini. Lumbini – the birthplace of the Buddha, was located in 1890 after being untraced for 1,500 years. Overnight stay at Lumbini.
Day 07:- LUMBINI (NEPAL) – SARAVASTI (INDIA) 209 km, 6 hours – Need some extra time at border
Morning to spend at Lumbini, while praying at the Maya Mandir. Lumbini was discovered by archaeologists in 1895 after being untraced
for 1,500 years and is listed World Heritage Site by UNESCO.The Legendary Puskarini Pond where Queen Maya took a Bath before gave
birth to prince Shakyamuni and the prince had his first bath too, the Ashoka pillar which built BC 249 and the Bodhi tree. Now in Lumbini
have many temples which are built by Buddhist organizations from more than 20 countries.On completion drive till the border for
immigration procedure and finally to reach Saravasti in the evening, visiting Kapilvastu on the way where the KingShuddhodhana
Buddha’s father was ruling the ancient dynasty. Overnight stay at Saravasti.
Day 08 :- SRAVASTI – LUCKNOW (182 km 4-6hours drive)
Morning to indulge in prayers, visit Saheth–Maheth&Jetavana at Sravasti - the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour
for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetavana Gardens. The city believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast and
there are ancient stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some miracles here. After lunch
start on our drive to Lucknow. Reach Lucknow in the evening and check in to the hotel for overnight stay.
Day 09 :- LUCKNOW – SANKISA – AGRA (353 km 8+hours drive)
After an early breakfast set off to the next destination of Agra visiting Sankisa on the way. The road journey today will be comparatively
longer and on smaller roads. Mythical legends relate the place to the Buddha. It is believed that after delivering sermons to His mother and
other devas in the Heaven, the Buddha returned to earth here at this place, Sankisa, which was considered the town of human abode.
Because of this, Sankisa is counted amongst the pilgrim destinations for the Buddhist. Visit the Buddha Temple and Maya Temple, also
the ruins of Ashokan elephant pillar if time permits. Drive further to reach Agra in the evening. Overnight stay at Agra.
Day 10 :- AGRA – DELHI – FLY HOME (220 Km, around 5 hours ride)
After breakfast visit Taj Mahal (Friday Closed) and Agra Fort. Taj Mahal is one of the most beautiful masterpieces of architecture in the
world.Builtentirely by white marble, Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Some Western historians have
noted that its architectural beauty has never been surpassed. On completion visit Agra Fort. After lunch drive to Delhi. On arrival enjoy
your dinner at one of the local restaurant and transfer to International airport to board on your schedule international flight for departure.
More Details
Cost Includes :
1. Airport transfers and all transport costs in chartered transport between Varanasi to Delhi while visiting Agra.
2. Hotels as indicated in the itinerary with all meals..
3. Entrance charges to visit historical sites at Sravasti, Lumbini, Vaisali, Nalanda, Bodhgaya and Sarnath.
4. Entrance charges to visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
5. English speaking Odyssey Manager from Delhi airport to Delhi airport.
Cost Excludes :
1. All expenses of personal nature like drinks, tips, telephone calls etc.
2. Any other expenses paid due to any change in itinerary.
3. Insurance, medical and evacuation expenses if any.
4. All expenses of personal nature like drinks, tips, telephone calls etc.
5. Any other expenses paid due to any change in itinerary.
6. Insurance, medical and evacuation expenses if any.
Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.
Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.