Taj Mahal with Lord Buddha Tour
Duration: 12 Nights / 13 Days
Places Covered: Delhi - Agra - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda
- Vaishali - Patna - Kushinagar - Lumbini - Balrampur
Day 01 - Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi by international flight. Meeting and assistance on arrival and
transfer to the hotel. Check-in time is 12 Noon. Overnight at the hotel
Day 02 - Delhi - Sightseeing
Full day sightseeing tour of New Delhi and Old Delhi New Delhi visit includes
Qutab Minar, one of the earliest remains of Imperial Delhi (13th century AD
) Humayun's Tomb-the fine monument believed to be forerunner of Taj Mehal, India
Gata, the 42 metre high arch was raised as a memorial to soldiers, drives past
Parliament House, President's House, Secretariat Building, Laxminarayan Temple
and The Connaught Place. Delhi is just not a city but it is a book-- a book
which narrates the history of India. The city was built and destroyed seven
times and has been witness to the various events which has brought India through
the history books. Seven times this city went through the pain of being built
and rebuilt. Today as the capital of India Delhi is the seat of administration
and the monuments which tell the saga of a bygone era stand there. These icons
are testimony to the grandeur of past and also an attraction for the tourists.
With an area of 1483 sq. Kms, Delhi is all set to acquire full statehood. The
charm of Delhi has attracted Emperors, Conquerors and poor in equally. It is
correctly said that Delhi is a land of 'Dilwalas' or for people with heart.
This phrase acquires a true colour when one goes around the lanes of Delhi.
Day 03: Agra
Proceed for sight-seeing of the city after breakfast. First, proceed to TAJ
MAHAL which is just walking distance from the hotel. Visit TAJ MAHAL at sunset.
Overnight will be at Agra. Agra is famous as the home to one of the Seven Wonders
of the World -the Taj Mahal. The architectural splendor of the mausoleums, the
fort and the palaces in Agra is a vivid reminder of the opulence of the legendary
Mughal Empire. Agra was their capital for nearly a hundred years from 1564.
A pleasant town, with a comparatively easy pace, Agra is known for its superb
inlay work on marble and soapstone by artisans who are hereditary craft persons.
The city is also famous for its carpets, gold thread embroidery and leather
shoes.
Day 04: Agra - Varanasi
Morning transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi. Arrive Varanasi and transfer
to hotel. Afternoon visit Sarnath - a place where Buddha first preached his
sermon. The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for
Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living
city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is
older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice
as old as all of them put together". Hindus believe that one who is graced
to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle
of birth and re-birth. Abode of Lord Shiva and Parvati, the origins of Varanasi
are yet unknown. Ganges in Varanasi is believed to have the power to wash away
the sins of mortals.
Day 05: Varanasi
Early morning sunrise boat cruise over river Ganges. Later depart by private
motorcoach /Car to Bodhgaya. Arrive and check in at hotel.
Day 06: Bodhgaya
Full day visit to Bodhgaya a place where Lord Buddha entered a state of mediation
under the 'Bodhi' tree and attained Nirvana. On the walls of Mahabodhi temple,
one can see images of Lord Buddha in different aspects. Bodhgaya is one of the
most important and sacred Buddhist pilgrimage center in the world. It was here
under a banyan tree, the Bodhi Tree, Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become
Buddha,the Enlightened One. Born; in the foothills of the Himalayas as a Sakya
prince of Kapilvastu (now in Nepal), most of the major events of his life, like
enlightenment and last sermon, happened in Bihar. Buddhism as a religion was
really born in Bihar and evolved here through his preaching and the example
of his lifestyle of great simplicity, renunciation and empathy for everything
living. Significantly, the state's name of 'Bihar' originated from 'Vihara'
meaning monasteries which abounded in Bihar. Several centuries after Buddha's
passing away, the Maurya Emperor Ashoka (234-198 BC) contributed tremendously
towards the revival, consolidation and spread of the original religion. It is
the monasteries, Ashoka built for the Buddhist monks and the pillars known as
Ashokan Pillars erected to commemorate innumerable historical sites associated
with the Buddha's life, mostly intact to this day, that helped scholars and
pilgrims alike to trace the life events and preaching of a truly extraordinary
man. There is a magnificent Mahabodhi temple and the Tree from the original
sapling still stands in the temple premises. The temple is an architectural
amalgamation of many centuries, cultures and heritages. While its architecture
has a distinct stamp of the Gupta era, it has later ages inscriptions describing
visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Myanmar and China between 7th and 10th century
AD. It is perhaps still the same temple Hieuen Tsang visited in 7th century.
Day 07: Bodhgaya - Rajgir
Morning depart by motorcocach /car to Rajgir. Arrive and check in at hotel.
Visit Rajgir - a sacred town to all Buddhist where Lord Buddha meditated and
preached on the Hill, Karanda Tank where Lord Buddha would bathe, seven hot
springs where Lord Buddha for its healing powers. Also visit the ancient Nalanda
University founded in the fifth century B.C. Ancient Buddhist texts revelas
that Lord Buddha studied here. A Chinese travel Heum Tsang, who spent several
years at this University wrote about this great seat of learning. Visit the
Archaeological museums.
Day 08: Rajgir - Vaishali - Patna
Morning depart by private motorcoach/car to Patna visiting enroute Vaishali
- a place where Lord Buddha visited frequently and during the last visit here
told his disciplines that they would see him no more as he was to attain the
Mahaparinirvana. Visit the Buddhist stupas. Arrive Patna and check in at hotel.
Day 09: Patna - Kushinagar
Morning depart ofr Kushinagar by motorcoach/car. Arrive and check in at hotel.
Afternoon city tour of Kushinagar where Lord Buddha breathed his last and
attained Mahaparinirvana saying decay is inherent in all component things.
Visit the Nirvana temple which enshrines a colossal statue of Lord Buddha
in a reclining position.
Day 10: Kushinagar - Lumbini - Balrampur
Morning depart for Lumbinin by motorcoach/car on Indo-Nepal border. Lumbini,
a tiny village situated on the fotthills of Himalayas witnessed the birth
of a Prince called Shakyamuni Gautam Siddhartha who later vecame Lord Buddha
the awakened one. Visit the sacred pond, Ashoka Pillar, Mahadevi temple. Later
drive to Balrampur. Arrive and check in at hotel.
Day 11: Balrampur - Sahetath - Lucknow
Leave for Lucknow by motorcoach/car via Satehmath famous for Buddhist Stupas.
Arrive Lucknow and check in at hotel.
Day 12: Lucknow - Delhi
Transfer to airport for flight to Delhi. Arrive and check in at hotel.
Day 13: Delhi - Onward Journey
Transfer to airport flight to your onward destination
