Born as prince “Siddharth” in a small kingdom of Kapilavastu, present day’s south Nepal during 560 BC on a full moon night in the month of May he relinquished his kingdom not for conquering lands and other kingdoms but millions of hearts and went to become Lord Buddha or the enlightened one. His words have influenced and changed so many lives that his philosophy has taken the shape of a religion. Though Buddhists philosophy over the period of thousands of years has found many vehicles to carry the message of peace spread by Lord Buddha across the world and there are hundreds of sites of religious importance associated with Buddhism, in this tour we take you the places which are directly associated with the life and journey from prince “Siddharth” to “Lord Buddha”.
You will visit Lumbini the birth place of Lord Buddha. It is believed that prince Siddharth was born on the way when his mother was going to her maternal place to deliver her child (as per Hindu ritual). Bodhgaya the place where Siddhart attained Nirvana or conquered over three weaknesses or "three poisons" (as referred in Buddhist philosophy) Passion (Raga), Aversion (Dwesha) and Ignorance (Avidya) which he considered as main reason for sufferings. Today Bodhgaya is the biggest pilgrimage for Buddhists no matter which vehicle/ sect they preach or follow. Sarnath is the place where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon after attaining Nirvana. It is here Buddhist philosophy started getting it’s organizational shape. He first unfolded the central point of Buddhist philosophy which is also referred as turning of Dharma Chakra. During the discourse here he explained the meaning of middle path, four noble truths on sufferings. Vaishali where he preached his last sermon and Kushinagar where he took Parinirvana or his eternal soul left his body. It is believed in Buddhist philosophy that every human being is a Bodhisatva (potential Buddha) and we take rebirth in the process of attaining nirvana (which means with every birth/ rebirth we come on this earth as a better human being). The birth where we attain nirvana (Buddhahood) we then will not take a rebirth.
Apart from these sites you will get to visit Sravasti where Lord Buddha performed only miracle of his life. Nalanda which was great center of Buddhist learning in ancient India and Rajgir where the first Buddhist conclave took place after Lord Buddha took Parinirvana.
You will also get to see some of the important sites of traveller’s interest in Delhi and ancient city of Hindu pilgrimage “Varanasi” which is tucked on the bank of river Ganges. A boat ride on the river during dawn observing life/ activities along the river fronts and witnessing evening prayer are quite and captivating experience here. Exploring narrow alleys of Varanasi on a cycle rickshaw would be another experience which most travelers cherish for long.
An extension to Agra to visit Taj Mahal is possible if so desired.
Itinerary:
Day 01 – Arrive Delhi.
Day 02 – Visit some of the important sites in New and Old Delhi. Also, take a rickshaw ride in the narrow alleys of Old Delhi to explore old market places.
Day 03 – Fly to Varanasi and visit Sarnath where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon. Evening watch evening prayer on the Ganges which is quite an engaging sight.
Day 04 – Early morning take a boat ride on the river Ganges. Later in the morning visit some of famous temple and other important sites of this holy city.
Day 05 – Morning drive to Bodhgaya (252 Km). Afternoon visit the Bodhi Tree where Siddhartha attained nirvana to become Buddha. Afternoon visit Mahabodhi Temple.
Day 06 –Full day explore Bodhgaya on your own.
Day 07 – Morning drive to Rajgir (130 Km). Afternoon visit sites of Rajgir where the first Buddhist convention took place after Lord Buddha took Parinirvana and Nalanda which was a great center of Buddhist learning for centuries.
Day 08 - Morning depart Rajgir by surface for Kushinagar (360 Km) stopping by en route to visit Vaishali where Lord Buddha preached his last sermon.
Day 09 – Morning visit the site where Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana. Early afternoon drive to
Lumbini (170 Km)
Day 10 –Full day visit sites which is related with the life of Lord Buddha.
Day 11 – Late morning drive Saravasti (150 Km). Later in the day visit sites related with Lod Buddha’s life.
Day 12 – Morning depart Saravasti by surface for Lucknow (151 Km) to connect afternoon flight for Delhi. Arrive Delhi and connect international flight for onward destination.
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