Buddhism in India, Buddhism religion is regarded as one of the three top most widespread major religions of the world. Buddhism was founded by the historical Buddha Shakyamuni or Lord Gautama, dated back to 5th or the 6th centuries B.C.E. This tour package is suitable for all buddhist pilgrims who are coming to India on spiritual journey, This Indian buddhism tour package covers all important places related to Lord Buddha and spread of buddhism in India, This tour package is EX Delhi and it cover tour of Historical city Aurangabad here you will get change to better understand ancient the Buddhist traditions through Ajanta and Ellora cave tour which are UNESCO world heritage sites, Next stop is Shanti stupa in Madhya Pradesh, After that this tour will take you Agra famous for Taj Mahal than visit Shravasti, Lumbini, Kapilavastu, Khushinagar, Vaishali , Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodhgaya and Sarnath all these places are related to Lord Buddha life circle. You will cover all these places in 12 nights and 13days, this buddh Circuit tour or Buddhist heritage tour quite popular among travellers.
Itinerary at Glance :-
Day 01:- Arrive Delhi for incredible india tour and Delhi tour ( Red Fort, Lotus Temple, Humayun Tomb are closed on Monday)
On arrival at Delhi airport, our representative will meet and greet outside exit gate#5 on your buddhist pilgrimage tour packages india or Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour, later go for Old Delhi city tour- by visiting the Raj Ghat, driving pasting Red fort, Than visit Jama Masjid- India Largest Mosque are important places to visit, you may also visit Chandni Chowk, spice market etc. For a better understanding of the Old Delhi tour you may go for a Rickshaw ride tour(optional) and ride through the bazaars and streets of Old Delhi (Optional cost). Later on proceed for a city tour of New Delhi. The Qutub Minar, which is UNESCO Heritage site in Delhi and tallest stone tower in India, imposing India Gate and the Rastrapathi Bhawan, Laxmi Narayan Temple, Lotus Temple. Post finishing place to visit in Delhi tour or perfect itinerary for Delhi tour. Drop to Hotel, Relaxing night stay in Delhi.
Day 02:- Delhi to Aurangabad (by flight own Expense) & Ajanta cave tour
After appetising breakfast at hotel, Check out and drop to Mumbai airport, On Arrival in historical city of Aurangabad, Meet and greet our representative and Later drive to Ajanta cave temple tour which is 105kms and 3.5hrs drive from Aurangabad, Ajanta Cave is UNESCO world heritage site since 1973 which consist of 30 rock cut Buddhist cave monuments dates between 2nd Century BCE to 480 CE, Rock cut sculptures and Painting here is amongst the finest surviving architectural marvels of ancient Indian art. It comprises ancient Buddhist traditions of Theravada and Mahayana, Ajanta caves boast some of the most priceless works of Buddhist art that is carved in it. Post Ajanta caves tour or Best tourist places to visit in Ajanta Caves, Things to do in & around Ajanta Caves, Drive back to Aurangabad check into hotel and rest of the free for relaxing., Overnight stay at Aurangabad Hotel.
Day 03:- Aurangabad- Ellora cave tour and Bhusaval Railway Station drop -Bhopal (overnight train)
This morning post yummy breakfast at hotel, Check from hotel and go for Ellora caves temple tour which is which is 30kms and 45 mins drive from Aurangabad. Later go for full day excursion tour to Ellora cave which is UNESCO world heritage site since 1983, It is one of the biggest and largest Rock Cut cave in the world which consist almost 34 monastery and temple Complexes from Hindu, Jain and Buddhist, This cave is dated back from 600-1000CE, don't forget to see Bhadra Maruti temple inside Ellora cave it is only sleeping Lord Maruti Idol in India. Out of these temples 12 are dedicated to Mahayana Buddhist caves that date back to 550-750 AD, whereas 17 are Hindu caves dating back to 600-875 AD and remaining 5 caves are of the Jainism dated from 800-1000 AD. Iconic Kailasa Temple, which is in cave number 16, is the most outstanding of all. Post Ellora cave tour later in the evening, get transferred to Bhusaval Railway Station to board an overnight train for your next destination Bhopal. Overnight on Board.
Day 04:- Bhopal to Sanchi and Bhopal-Agra (by train)
This morning on arrival in Bhopal meet and greet our representative just out of your train coach and late checkin to hotel for fresh up and breakfast, Later drive to Sanchi stupa from Bhopal which is 50kms and 1.5hrs away, On arrival go for Sanchi Stupa temple tour- This stupa is one of the oldest surviving stone structures in India dated back to the Mauryan Empire period from 323-185 BCE, Sanchi stupa in Madhya Pradesh is a UNESCO world heritage site since 1989 and it is a priceless specimen of Buddhist architecture, the Great Stupa at SanchiIt is very unique in own style, not only in terms of perfectness, but it also offer the visitor a chance to see, all in one place-almost covering wide range of Indian Buddhism. After completing sightseeing, return to Bhopal and get transferred to the Railway Station to connect the train for Agra. On arrival transfer from Agra Cantt Railway Station to Hotel and enjoy overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 05:- Agra Local and Agra to Lucknow (350kms/5hrs)
This is one of the exciting day of the tour, post breakfast check out and go for sightseeing tour of Agra city starts with Taj Mahal tour, the visit or time spend to the Taj Mahal will long be remembered by you, Listed among most amazing Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal is the emblem of eternal love. The Taj Mahal was built in 1653 by late Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Built with white marble, this monument is on top of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This epitome of love leaves the visitors speechless with its architectural magnificence. In the presence of moon light, it excels like a flawlessly carved diamond; looking as if instantly out of some magical saga and Later visit the Huge Agra fort or Red fort of Agra a UNESCO world heritage site and 2nd most famous monument of Agra, built by the great Emperor Akbar, this was main residence of Mughal rulers till 1638 buit of Red stand stones. Later post places to visit in Agra tour drive to Lucknow capital city of Uttar Pradesh through newly built expressway and On your arrival in Lucknow check-into your pre-booked hotel. Rest of the day is free for relaxing.
Day 06:- Lucknow to Sravasti (160kms/3.5hrs)| Sravasti to Balrampur (20kms/30mins)
This morning after tasty breakfast, drive to Balrampur and On the way visit other important site on your Indian Buddhist circuit Sravasti which have age-old stupas, huge majestic viharas and several ancient temples near the village of "Sahet-Mahet" which establish Buddha's association with Shravasti. It is said that the Vedic period king, Shravasta, founded this town and it was capital of the ancient kingdom of Kosala, an active centre for Buddhism. On arrival check-in to the hotel, Overnight stay in Balrampur .
Day 07:- Balrampur to Lumbini via Kapilavastu (197 kms / 6 hrs) |Lumbini to Kushinagar (160kms/4.5hrs)
Post tempting breakfast, Check out and drive to Birth place of Lord Buddha Lumbini which is located in Nepal. On the way visit Kapilavastu - the childhood home of Lord Gautam Buddha On arrival go for places to visit in Lumbini start with Pillar of Ashoka Brahmi inscription on the pillar is dated back to 3rd-century BCE, Ancient, Ancient Mayadevi Temple(the birth place of Buddha) which is main temple of Lumbini, After finishing Lumbini temple tour proceed to Kushinagar. Stay overnight in Kushinagar.
Day 08:- Kushinagar - Vaishali - Patna (230kms/5.5hrs)
Morning post delicious breakfast at hotel,Check out and go for Kushinagar temple tour Kushinagar (it is place where Lord Gautam Buddha had left this world behind him after offering an priceless contribution to humanity). later go for places to visit in Kushinagar tour visit Mahaparinirvana Temple (Place where Buddha took his last breathe) and Rambhar Stupa (cremation site of Lord Buddha), Post lunch drive to Patna On the way go for Vaishali tourism- it is place where Buddha announced the approaching of his Mahaparinirvana (Death). After Places to Visit in Vaishali, continue driving to Patna. Later check into the hotel and overnight stay at Patna hotel.
Day 09:- Patna- Nalanda- Rajgir- Bodhgaya (190 kms/ 6-7 hrs)
Post mouthwatering breakfast at hotel drive to Bodhgaya on the way you can see real Indian village cultural, Bodh Gaya is place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and which is one of the most sacred pilgrimage places for the Buddhist Pilgrimage in India. En-route visit Nalanda and Rajgir tour package. Nalanda- was a great centre of Buddhist learning in Asia and one of the most reputed university citadels of ancient times. Rajgir-it was once the capital of the powerful kingdom of Maghada in ancient times, this tour also called bodhgaya nalanda rajgir tour itinerary. Post Rajgir Nalanda tour drive to Patna which is 90kms from Nalanda, on arrival in Bodhgaya night stay in a hotel.
Day 10:- Places to visit in Bodhgaya
This morning post a healthy breakfast at hotel, Go for sightseeing of Bodhgaya tourism. Main attraction of Bodh Gaya is UNESCO world Heritage site "Maha Bodhi temple complex" , Under the Bodhi Tree here, Siddhartha Gautama attained supreme knowledge to become Buddha, or in other word go the Enlightened one here which changes his life from ordinary person to Lord Buddha and he started Buddhism which become one of the greatest religion of the world. Also don't forget to visit River Niranjana in which the Lord Buddha bathed post attaining enlightenment; it flows quietly just outside the tiny hamlet. Post Lunch go for Bodhgaya Temple tour first visit The Great Buddha Statue which is 80 feet in height, Later visit famous and beautiful Buddhist monasteries and temples which have been constructed by the people of buddhist nations like Srilanka, Bhutan, China, Japan, South Korea, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam in a huge areas in and around the Mahabodhi Temple. Post best itinerary tour of Bodhgaya, stay overnight in Bodhgaya.
Day 11:- Bodhgaya to Varanasi (275 kms / 6-7 hrs.)
Morning Post yummy breakfast Check from hotel and drive to Oldest city of the world Varanasi, After long drive Check in to Varanasi hotel and Post relaxing for sometime, In the evening time first visit Manikarnika ghat or Burning ghar and later participate in the world famous Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. After completion of places to visit in Varanasi or best itinerary for Varanasi tour, enjoy your overnight stay in Kashi.
Day 12:- Varanasi (morning boat ride) to Sarnath to Varanasi to Delhi (by flight own expense)
Wake up Early this morning and go take a Subah-e-Banaras(Sunrise of Varanasi) boat trip to enjoy the mesmerising sunrise and also see historical ghats of Varanasi. In the boat trip one can understand Tradition and Culture of Kashi, Uniqueness of Kashi, Why Kashi hold such an important place in Hinduism post Varanasi sunrise trip. Return to the hotel, have your healthy breakfast and relax. Later Check out and visit Sarnath is the place where Lord Buddha had preached his sermon/dharma to his first five disciples after attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya under the sacred Bodhi Tree. In Sarnath visit holy Dhamek Stupa - most visited and it is one of the most important Buddhist shrines in the world. Later, also visit Sarnath museum, Thai temple and Main temple, these are places to visit in Sarnath. post Sarnath temple tour drop at Varanasi airport, On arrival drop to your pre-booked hotel in Delhi. Overnight stay in Delhi
Day 13:- Delhi dropping
Post tempting breakfast at hotel, pack your bag and baggage with a promise of come back again for buddhist pilgrimage tour packages. Proceed to Delhi Airport with a lot of lifelong memories of Buddhism in India and life of Buddha, Reach on time to board your flight/train with a lot of sweet memories of your Buddhist Holy Pilgrimages sites in India tour.