12 Days – Origins of Buddha Tour

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Destination Covered: Kolkata – Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Vaishali – Kushinagar – Lumbini – Shravasti – Lucknow – Delhi

Overview

12 days tours begins from Kolkata (Calcutta) – cultural and British capital before the Indian Independence, explore the famous places Howrah Bridge, Kali Ma Temple and Victoria Memorial, four places of pilgrimage that were connected with events in his life – Lumbini in what is now Nepal – Birth Place of Lord Budha, and Bodhgaya -the Buddha obtain enlightenment under  a sacred Bodhi Tree., Sarnath – deliver first sermon, Vaishali – here Gautama Buddha delivered his last sermon and  he died in Kushinagar,  In the spiritual places you have the feeling of getting help to be able to walk your own spiritual path more easily. In all religions, pilgrimage to such places has developed as a spiritual practice.

Highlights of Tour

Visit the local flower market, Howrah Bridge, Kali Ma Temple and Victoria Memorial

Visit Mahabodhi Temple, the Sujata Stupa

Visit Ajatshatru’s fort, & Venuvana & Swarna Bhandar

Excursion to Nalanda University

Stopover at the Kesariya Stupa

Guided Tour to Birth Place of Gautama Buddha

Guided tour to Anathapindika and Angulimala Stupas and Jetavana Gardens.

Visit shrine of Imambara, Lucknow Residency and Local Market

DAY 1: Arrival at Kolkata

Land in Kolkata and welcome by our representative and transfer to Hotel

DAY 2: Kolkata – Bodhgaya

Morning after Breakfast tour the famous Jain temples of Kolkata, the local flower market, Howrah Bridge, Kali Ma Temple and Victoria Memorial.

After lunch in local restaurant, you will be transferred to Kolkata railway station to board your express train (Train # Kolkata Rajdhani @ 1655/2237 Hrs) to Gaya, Dinner serve onboard. Meet our representative at Gaya railway station and transfer to Bodh-Gaya (approx. 15kms/30 mins), arrive and check-in hotel.

DAY 3: Bodhgaya

Bodhgaya is most important places for Buddhist Piligrimage. Morning after Breakfast visit Mahabodhi Temple, where it is said he attained the supreme knowledge to become Buddha, more than 2,540 years ago. This afternoon after lunch in hotel, visit the Sujata Stupa and the local markets.

DAY 4: Bodhgaya – Rajgir

Morning after Breakfast depart for Rajgir (drive approx. 90 kms/2-3 hrs), and sightseeing.  we proceed to Visit Ajatshatru’s fort, & Venuvana &  Swarna Bhandar, the Cyclopean wall. We will visit another important site in Bodhgaya  the Peace Pagoda on chair lift.

After Lunch in hotel proceeds to visit Nalanda founded in 5th century BC, was one of the world’s great universities.

DAY 5: Rajgir – Vaishali

Morning after Breakfast depart for Vaishali (drive approx. 170 kms/4-5 hrs) check-in hotel and after lunch sightseeing. Vaishali is the  Vaishali was one of the Gautam Buddha’s best loved retreats and he went to Vaishali many times, here Gautam buddha delivered his last sermon, indicating that he would be soon leaving from this world. Approximately 100 years after he died the second council was held in Vaishali. Thousand of Monks Hundreds attend meeting in Vaishali and talk about the vinaya rules and to chant a sutras together. Later you will visit 18 meter high famous “Lion Pillars” built by the emperor Ashoka in Kothua it was bend and polished out of single piece of red sandstone.

DAY 6: Vaishali – Kushinagar

Morning after Breakfast drive to Kushinagar (drive approx. 200 kms/5-6 hrs) en-route visiting the Kesariya Stupa, the largest in the world with the height of 104 ft. Drive continues to Kushinagar, check-in hotel and after lunch visit the Kushinagar. This is the last Destination of Gautam Buddha Journey.

DAY 7: Kushinagar – Lumbini

Morning after Breakfast drive to Lumbini via formalities to be done at India-Nepal border) in Nepal (drive approx. 175 kms/4-5 hrs)  where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Buddha.

After Lunch in hotel, tour the UNESCO World Heritage listed site of Lumbini, including an ancient monastery, a sacred Bodhi tree, the Asoka Pillar and Mayadevi Temple, located at the place of Buddha’s birth.

DAY 8: Lumbini – Shravasti

Morning after breakfast drive to Shravasti (drive approx. 185 kms/4-5 hrs), check-in hotel and after Post Lunch we will go to Visit Anathapindika and Angulimala Stupas and Jetavana Gardens.

DAY 9: Shravasti – Lucknow

Morning after breakfast, depart for Lucknow (drive approx. 200 kms/5-6 hrs) Capital city of Uttar Pradesh is famous for its courtly diction prevalent since the time of the Nawabs. Check-in hotel and after lunch day is at your leisure.

DAY 10: Lucknow

Morning after breakfast, proceed for visit of the 18th-century shrine of Imambara, Lucknow Residency and a local gallery.

The sights include Bara Imambara built in 1784, the distinctive feature of this huge pillared hall built for ritual mourning during Moharram is the absence of beams and supporting pillars. Within are the numerous tazia (replicas of the tombs at Karbala) and a maze – where one is sure to get lost without a guide!!! Less impressive is the Chota Imambara built by Mohammed Ali Shah in 1837 as his own mausoleum. It is a heavily ornamented structure with gilded domes. Later, wander through the local bazaar

DAY 11: Lucknow – Delhi

Morning after breakfast transfer to Lucknow airport and board your flight to Delhi. You will be received by our representative at Delhi airport and transfer to Hotel

After lunch in local restaurant, tour New Delhi, visiting the India Gate, Qutab Minar and drive past Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhawan.

DAY 12: Delhi ( Departure)

Morning after breakfast check-out from your hotel and proceed for Old Delhi tour, including Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk Bazaar, drive past the Red Fort and visit Raj Ghat. This afternoon after Lunch at local restaurant, you will transfer to the airport where your arrangements end.

Inclusions

Accommodation on Double / twin sharing at the Standard hotels

Meal plan will be on Breakfast basis

All transfers, tours and excursion as per itinerary using air-conditioned AC Vehicle

Local English Speaking Guide as per itinerary

Train Tickets (Kolkata – Gaya) – 01st / 02nd AC Class

All taxes, tolls, parking fees and service tax.

Exclusion

Any airfare (International or domestic).

Passport and Visa fees for India.

Any Lunch / Dinner is not Include

Any Monument Entrances ( Tickets)

Any meals OR options not mentioned in the itinerary / cost inclusion.

Any item of personal nature and Gratuities.

Any insurance.

Additional nights for participants, which is offered at additional cost to individual participants.

All personal expenses such as medical expenses, laundry, drinks, telephone and fax services, and all other services not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary.