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Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Siddharth Gautam, born the son of a king, grew up in Lumbini, Nepal amidst luxury and splendor. At the age of 29 he left earthly distraction behind, to begin his quest for the true meaning of life -a search that took him to the land of Magadha. At Bodhgaya, after years of penance and deprivation, he attained "Enlightenment" under the sacred Bodhi tree-to become Buddha. In the fabled deer park at Sarnath, the Buddha preached his first sermon. He then traveled widely preaching his philosophy. At the age of 80, in the forest of Kushinagar, he entered perfect tranquility-the state of "Parinirvana." Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar, Sravasti, Vaishali and Kapilvastu- these sacred places of Buddha continue the legacy of this remarkable being who practiced and preached peace, purity and love. We invite you now to this special world one not just of spectacular temples, monasteries and stupas but where you may actually walk in the footsteps of "The Enlightened One"-the man, who changed the world.
Itinerary:
Day 1:
Arrive Kathmandu:
Upon arrival, receive and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2:
Kathmandu:
Visit Baudhanath Stupa & Swoyambhunath Stupa. Overnight at hotel.
Boudhanath Stupa: One of the world's largest stupa of its kind. The unique aspect of this
great Buddhist monument is that it is set in the octagonal mandala design. Also set into the riches around this huge structure are the hundreds of prayer wheels and the 108 images of the Buddha adoring the Stupa. Another notable aspect of the area is the presence of about four dozen monasteries around it.
Swayambhunath Stupa: One of the world's oldest Buddhist shrines, the stupa graces a hilltop, 77 m. above the valley bottom. This huge dome-like structure is surrounded by 13 gilded rings representing 13 Heavens and an elaborate canopy.
Day 3:
Kathmandu:
Visit Namo Buddha
Namo Buddha is located in the mountains about 2 ½ hours from Kathmandu. It is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal and one of the holiest in the world. It is known as the place where the Buddha, in a previous life as a prince, gave his body to a starving tigress and her cubs. There is a very old temple in the village of Namo Buddha, located below Thrangu Rinpoche’s land, which sits on the top of the mountain. Several lamas have determined that the actual site where the Buddha gave his body is actually on Thrangu Rinpoche’s property near the retreat center. There is a cave with statues of the prince, the tigress and the cubs on this site. Namo Buddha is otherwise known by Tibetans and people of the Himalayan regions as “Takmo Lu Jin”, which is literally “Tigress Body Generosity”. .Later in the evening, drive back to Kathmandu . Overnight at hotel.
Day 4:
Kathmandu:
Drive to Pharping and on the way back visit Patan City.
Pharping: A pilgrimage town some 19km south of Kathmandu visitors to Pharping are pleasantly surprised by how untouched by tourism it is. Holy to both Hindus and Buddhists pilgrims come here to make a circumambulation of the town, its gompas, temples and the Guru Rinpoche Cave.
Patan Durbar Square: No where else can be seen a compression of marvellous monuments within a limited space like in the Patan Durbar Square. Besides the old royal palace, what dominates all others in grace and grandeur in this complex is the 17th century Krishna mandir. Other landmarks within the square are the marvellous Tushahity, Sundarichowk, Taleju-Temple etc. The Golden temple and the terra-cotta temple of Maha Bouddha are the highlights in the vicinity.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 5:
Kathmandu - Lumbini:
Drive to Lumbini.
A scenic countryside dirve of about 7 hours takes you to Lumbini. Overnight at hotel.
Day 6:
Lumbini:
Full day tour of Lumbini Garden.
Visit the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the apostle of peace, compassion & non-violence. Here one can see the broken Ashok pillar, remnants of an old monastery, images of Buddha's mother Maya Devi etc. are still preserved in Lumbini. Visit sacred Garden where Buddha was born, Mayadevi Temple, and Puskarni Pond where Buddha's mother had taken a bath before giving birth to Buddha. Visit different monasteries, which represent different countries like Myanmar Temple, China Temple, Korean Temple, Nepal Buddha Temple etc.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 7:
Lumbaini - Sarawasti
225kms approximately 7 hrs with border formalities.
After breakfast drive to Saravasti.the capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, has the honour for sheltering Buddha for 24 rainy seasons in the Jetvana Gardens. The city believed to be founded by the mythological king Sravast, has age-old stupas, majestic monasteries and several temples. Buddha is said to have performed some miracles here. In Sravasti visit Saheth - Maheth & Jetvan. Night stay in Sravasti.
Day 8:
Saravasti - Kushinagar.
Approximately 255 kms - 6 hrs
After breakfast drive to Kushinagar. Buddha finally attained Mahaparmirvana here in Kushinagar. Amongst the ruins are the Mukutbandhan Stupa and a beautiful statue of the reclining Buddha enroute visiting Vaishali. Arrive Kushinagar & transfer to hotel. Later proceed for sightseeing of Kushinagar - visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple & Stupas. Night stay in Kushinagar.
Day 9:
Kushinagar - Vaishali - Patna
Approximately 300 kms with sightseeing - 8 hrs
After breakfast drive to Kushinagar enroute visiting Vaishali. Arrive Patna & transfer to hotel. Night stay in Patna.
Day 10:
Patna - Nalanda - Rajgir - Bodhgaya
Approximately 200 kms with sightseeing - 8 hrs.
Early breakfast and drive to Bodhgaya. Gautam Buddha got enlightenment here in Bodhgaya. Bodhgaya is the spiritual home of Buddhists. Bodhgaya situated near the river Niranjana, is one of the holiest Buddhist pilgrimage centers.
Visit Nalanda and Rajgir enroute. -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 Charavaka school 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 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. Arrive Bodhgaya and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Bodhgaya.
Day 11:
Bodhgaya
Breakfast at the hotel. Visit the Mahabodhi Temple,Niranjana River, Sujata Village. Rest of the day at leisure. Night stay in Bodhgaya.
Day 12:
Bodhgaya - Varanasi
Approximately 250 kms for small vehicles & 300 kms for large vehicles (coaches) 6/7 hours
After early breakfast drive to Varanasi. On arrival transfer to hotel. Later excursion to Sarnath - where the Buddha preached his first sermon in the Deer Park, contains the most impressive remains, as well as a modern temple. Night stay in Varanasi.
Day 13:
Varanasi - Kathmandu
Leisurely breakfast. Transfer to the airport in time for the flight to Kathmandu. On arrival, meet and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14:
Departure. Transfer to airport for final departure.
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