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Buddha, “the enlightened” is not just the name. It is a belief of self-realization and self-teaching that was spread by Lord Buddha to treasure humanity around the world. The doctrine of enlightenment was initiated from Shravasti to Varanasi and then to Nalanda. It is also towards different places of India and the neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, and China.
The Buddhist Pilgrimage tour is basically a journey towards the enlightenment which is now residing in different stupas and monasteries at some of the essential Buddhism affiliated locations. The peak Adventure Tours is a journey full of spirituality and religion. It takes the believers of Buddhism towards such sacred locations to make a pacifying encounter with the statue of Lord Buddha and its teachings & values amidst the peaceful natural surroundings.
The major destinations covered in a Buddhist Circuit Tour are Varanasi, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Patna, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Balrampur, Lucknow, and Lumbini in Nepal. These destinations are well flourished with the presence of different stupas and monasteries (gompas) to express and spread the message of enlightenment towards Humanity.
Lumbini
It is located in southern Nepal. It is a place where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to Prince Siddhartha. It is just a short distance from the Shakya capital of Kapilavastu. Pilgrimages here visited on the sacred garden which contains the site of the birth, the Mayadevi temple, the Pashkarni pond, and the Ashoka pillar.
Bodhgaya
It was in Bodhgaya in Bihar, India. It was a place where Prince Siddhartha found Enlightenment (nirvana) under the bodhi tree after meditating for 49 days. He is now no longer a bodhisattva (mentor). After that, he became Lord Buddha, the Enlightened One who has many followers.
Sarnath
It is Sarnath where Buddha gave his first sermon after achieving enlightenment under the bodhi tree. It is about 10 km from the ancient holy city of Varanasi. It was here only where Buddha established his first disciples (sangha) to promote his new doctrine. The splendid Dhamekha Stupa at Sarnath was originally erected by King Ashoka. Now we know it as was the famous lion capital pillar which is now become the proud symbol of India.
Kushinagar
At the Kushinagar district of Uttar Pradesh, Lord Buddha fell ill. After that, he left this world in 543 BC. His mortal remains were preserved in eight commemorative Chortens. They are then further distributed by King Ashoka into 84,000 stupas across his kingdom and beyond.
Day 1: Arrive in Delhi
Arrive at Delhi International Airport and also by train in Delhi at Delhi railway station. Collect your luggage and then go to the hotel. Check in there and spend a night there.
Day 2: Delhi Sightseeing
After having breakfast at the hotel visit a full day tour to Delhi. Being the capital of India Delhi has a lot of things to visit like Red Fort. Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar, India gate. The malls and markets and delicious food are the top attractions of Delhi.
Day 3: Delhi to Varanasi via Agra
Wake up early in the morning, check out the hotel, and then way towards Agra. In Agra also there are many beautiful attractions like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, Fatepur Sikri. After exploring Agra board a train for Varanasi.
Day 4: Varanasi- Saranath
Upon arrival at Varanasi take a hotel and do some rest. After that move towards Sarnath, a place that holds a place in Buddhism. There are many attractions in Sarnath like Ashok Pillar, Chaukhani Stupa, the Muklgandakuti Vihar, and the Dhamesh Stupa. Here you will stay for some time and then go to the famous Varanasi Ghat for Aarti of Ganga river.
Day 5: Varanasi to Bodhgaya
Wake up early morning and go to attend the morning ritual ceremony of river Ganga and find Moksh. After that have some breakfast and to Bodhgaya, the holy place where Buddha attained enlightenment. There is a tree called the Boddhi tree where Buddha attained knowledge. It is considered an important site.
Day 6: Bodhgaya
This will be the most amazing day of this tour. You will spend your whole day exploring the life of Gautam Buddha. Afternoon sightseeing tour of Bodhgaya. The Mahabodhi Temple built on the east of the sacred tree stands majestically 17 feet high on a base 5 feet square and consists of a soaring pyramidal tower surmounted by a stupa. The Vajrasana or Diamond Throne lying between the Bodhi Tree and the temple marks the actual Spot. It is a tree where Buddha sat in meditation and attained supreme knowledge. A gilded Buddha smiles upon the visitors from a niche in the wall of the temple, and his footsteps carved in stone hold flower offerings from the devout. Unbelievable peace pervades the atmosphere giving credence to legend, besides the Mahabodhi temple, we would visit several Buddhist temples built by the followers of Buddhism from all over the world. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 7: Bodhgaya to Patna via Rajgir and Nalanda
After visiting Bodhgaya move towards Rajgir. It is a place where Buddha delivered lessons after enlightenment. This area has many places which belong to Buddha and then move towards Nalanda. Here we have one of the famous universities in history called Nalanda University. It also has the great appearance of Buddhism.
Day 8: Patna to Sravasti
In Patna, you can explore many places which belong to Buddha. After this go to Vaishali, which is a place where Buddha delivered his last sermon. The next place is Kushinagar, a place chosen by Buddha for his Maharari Nirvana. And then go Lumbini, it is a place where Gautam Buddha born. It is located in Nepal. You can also visit many temples and museums there.
Day 9: Sravasti to Lucknow
Sravasti is a place where Gautam Buddha delivered many of his sermons to his followers in large numbers. It also has many beautiful places to visit. After exploring this place take a train or a flight to Lucknow.
Day 10: Lucknow to Delhi
This will be the last day of this Buddhist tour. Spend your quality time to visit the beautiful places of Lucknow and then move towards Delhi. This is how the journey ends.
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