Indian Tour Packages

Grand Buddhist Pilgrimage

Prince Siddhartha Gautama was born in 563 BC in Lumbini on the border of India and Nepal. His father was King Suddhodhana, ruler of the Sakya people and his mother Mayadevi. He was named Siddhartha (the one who obtains success and prosperity) and Gautama was his last name. Seers, at the time of his birth, predicted that he will either become a monarch or a Buddha (The Enlightened One). His mother died soon after his birth. He was brought up by his aunt. Siddhartha spent his childhood in Kapilavasthu in Southern Nepal. As a prince he trained in martial arts and hunting. At an early age he married Princess Yashodara. Siddhartha lived a princely life and in his late twenties he was blessed with a son. One day, during an excursion, he came across an old man, a diseased person, a corpse being cremated and an ascetic. He instantly realized that people had little control over their lives. At the age of 29, he secretly left home, became a monk and started practicing an ascetic life and self mortification. All this led him nowhere and he became disillusioned. Finally, he sat under a Bodhi tree for seven weeks and started meditating, discovering his inner being. He finally attained Enlightenment in Bodhgaya, India at the age of 35. He started preaching what is the gist of Buddhism. His first sermon was at Sarnath, India. Both Bodhgaya and Sarnath are very sacred places in India for the Buddhists. He gathered followers by the thousands. With his disciples, he established a Buddhist Order 'Sanga'. For 45 years after attaining Enlightenment, he tirelessly travelled and preached the tenets of Buddhism in Northern India. Having spread his teachings, he finally left his corporal body at the age of 80. He passed away in a forest near Kusinagara in Nepal in 483 BC. On his deathbed he spoke his last words "All compounded things are ephemeral; work diligently on your salvation". He then attained a state of Mahaparinirvana.

Detailed Itinerary

Places to See : Delhi - Agra - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Nalanda - Rajgir - Patna- Vashali - Kushinagar - Lumbini - Balrampur - Lucknow
Duration : 11 Nights / 12 Days

Day 01 : Delhi
Arrive DELHI. Meet on arrival by Company Representatives of Holiday India. Proceed to hotel and relax.

Overnight at Delhi.

Day 02 : Agra
Early morning proceed to Agra by Shatabdi Express Train. Breakfast to be served in the train. Upon arrival transfer to Hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of the Taj and Fort.

After Agra Fort we will visit BABY TAJ - The interiors of which are considered better than the Taj.

Day 03 : Agra - Varanasi
After breakfast drive to Fatehpur Sikri and visit the Bulund Darwaza.

Transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and visit Sarnath.

Reach and proceed to Sarnath.

Overnight at Varanasi.

Day 04 : Varanasi - Bodhgaya
Morning boat ride on the Sacred River Ganges to rituals performed by priests and devotees. Half day guided tour of Varanasi. After lunch proceed for Bodhgaya.

Overnight at Bodhgaya.

Morning after an early breakfast proceed to Bodhgaya. Packed lunch to be served.

Day 05 : Bodhgaya
Sightseeing of Maha Bodhi Temple and Tree. Visit the Chinese Temple. In the afternoon visit Niranjana Temple and River. Visit the school of the destitute. Lunch and dinner at Bodhgaya. Overnight at Bodhgaya.

Day 06 : Bodhgaya - Nalanda - Rajgir - Patna
Early morning proceed to visit the historical towns of Nalanda & Rajgir. Have lunch at Rajgir. Proceed to Patna after lunch. Overnight at Patna.

Day 07 : Patna - Vaishali - Kushinagar
Explore the side where Buddha was cremated and visit Mahaparinirvana Temple. Overnight at Kushinagar. Day-8: Kushinagar - Lumbini
BY ROAD. Proceed after breakfast. Reach and sightseeing.

Overnight at LUMBINI - NIRVANA / PAWAN

Day 09 : Lumbini - Balrampur
By road, Sight seeing of Shravasti visit : Saheth & Maheth.

Day 10 : Balrampur - Lucknow
Reach and sight Seeing : explore this royal city of Nawabs LUCKNOW.

Day 11 : Lucknow - Delhi
Arrive Delhi and check in at hotel.

Full day tour of Old & New Delhi. Overnight at Delhi.

Day 12 : Delhi - Park
Free to explore city and last minute shopping. Check out in the evening and proceed for The Dances of India Show. Have dinner then transfer to Airport for flight home.

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