Buddhist Circuit Tour

On arrival at Varanasi Railway Station you will be met and assisted by our company executive and transfer to your hotel. Welcome Drink on arrival. Check into hotel. Lunch at hotel than relax.

Varanasi – Varanasi, or Benaras, (also known as Kashi) is one of the oldest living cities in the world. Varanasi`s Prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually unrevealed. Mark Twain, the English author and literature, who was enthralled by the legend and sanctity of Benaras, once wrote: “Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together”. According to the ‘Vamana Purana’, the Varuna and the Assi rivers originated from the body of the primordial Person at the beginning of time itself. The tract of land lying between them is believed to be ‘Varanasi’, the holiest of all pilgrimages. The word ‘Kashi’ originated from the word ‘Kas’ which means to shine. Steeped in tradition and mythological legacy, Kashi is the ‘original ground ‘created by Shiva and Parvati, upon which they stood at the beginning of time.

Get ready for evening Ganga Aaarti. Come back to hotel. Dinner. Stay overnight at hotel.

Early morning enjoy a boat ride on the holy river The Ganges followed by the tour of Varanasi. A highlight of any trip to Varanasi – this incredible scene as multitudes of devotees comes to the river to pay homage to Sun God, after that come back to Hotel, Breakfast and drive down to Bodhgaya.

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.

After reaching to Bodhgaya. Lunch. Relax than proceed to bodhgaya sightseeing.

Mahabodhi Temple: The temple stands in the east to the Bodhi Tree. Its architectural effect is superb. Its basement is 48 square feet and it rises in the form of a slender Pyramid till it reaches its neck, which is cylindrical in shape. The total height of the temple is 170 ft. and on the top of the temple are Chatras which symbolize sovereignty of religion. Four towers on its corners rise gracefully giving the holy structure a poise balance. This sacred edifice is like a grand banner unfurled by time to proclaim to the world the pious efforts of the Buddha to solve the knots of human miseries, to ascend above worldly problems and to attain transcendental peace through wisdom, good conduct and disciplined life.

Inside the temple, in the main sanctum, there is a colossal image of the Buddha in sitting posture touching the earth by his right hand. In this posture the Buddha accomplished the supreme enlightenment. The statue is of black stone but it has been guilder by the devotees. The entire courtyard of the temple is studded with large number of votive stupas. These stupas are of all sizes built during the past 2500 years ago. Most of them are extremely elegant in structural beauty. The ancient railings, which surround the temple, are of the first century BC and are among the very interesting monuments of the century.

Animesh Lochan Chaitya: It is believed that the Buddha spent one week here looking towards the great Bodhi tree out of gratitude, without twinkling his eyes.

Bodhi Tree: The present Bodhi Tree is probably the fifth succession of the original tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment. Vajrasana, the seat of stability, is a stone platform on which the Buddha is supposed to have sat in meditation gazing east, under the Bodhi tree.

Chankramana: This marks the sacred spot of the Buddha’s meditative perambulations during the third week after pious enlightenment. It is believed that wherever the Buddha put his feet lotus sprang up.

Ratnagarh: The Buddha spent one week here, where it is believed that five colors came out of his body.

Other Treasures of Bodhgaya: 80 ft Statue of the Buddha, Lotus Tank, Buddha Kund, Rajayatana, Brahm Yoni, Chinese Temple & Monastery, Burmese Temple, Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, International Buddhist House & Japanese Temple, Thai Temple & Monastery, Tibetan Monastery, Archaeological Museum. Sujata village (2 kms).

Stay overnight at hotel.

Buffet breakfast the hotel. Assemble at the hotel lobby to proceed to Rajgir – ancient city & the first capital of the Kingdom of Magadha (distance from Gaya to Rajgir – 75 kms & time taken 1 hour & 45 minutes approx.). Visit the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, photo-stop at Sapatarani Cave, Bimbisar Jail, Ajatsatru Fort & temple. Post lunch transfer to Nalanda – distance 15 kms from Rajgir & visit the ruins of Nalanda University, Buddhist monastery & Hindu temple. Return to Bodhgaya. Dinner and overnight stay in Bodhgaya

After Breakfast proceed to Varanasi. After reaching to Varanasi. Lunch. Relax than proceed to sightseeing of Sarnath.

Sarnath – Where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya, today it presents the most expansive ruins amongst places on the Buddhist trail. At Sarnath visit Dhamek Stupa – which is now an official symbol of Modern India. Chaukandi Stupa – this stupa was rebuilt by Mughal Emperor Akbar. After that come back to Hotel. Dinner. Stay overnight at hotel.

After Breakfast sightseeing tour of this ancient city includes The Bharat Mata Temple, which has a big relief map of India in marble, the Benares Hindu University with its art gallery, and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb built on the side of an ancient Hindu temple, bathing Ghats, Kashivishwanath temple & Durgakund.

Afternoon come back to Hotel, Take Lunch and check out from the hotel and depart to Airport/Railway Station for onward Journey.