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Buddhist Routes
Duration: 06 Days
Places to Visit: Varanasi–Bodhgaya–Rajgir–Nalanda–Patna–Delhi–Dharamshala–Amritsar–Delhi
Day
01 - Arrive Varanasi – Bodhgaya Morning visit Sarnath – 8 kms from Varanasi one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 B.C. Here you will witness the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Archaeological Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site. The main attraction at this excellent Archaeological Museum is the superb capital from the Ashokan pillar. It has the Ashokan symbol of four back-to-back lions which has been adopted as the state symbol of modern India. (The museum is closed on Fridays).
Thereafter drive to Bodhgaya (243 km). Upon arrival in Bodhgaya – check into the hotel.
Bodhgaya -The Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya, under the Bodhi tree, 10 km from Gaya, the ancient Hindu pilgrimage centre. The tree from the original sapling still stands in the temple premises. It is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centre as Buddha was born here. The magnificent Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya is an architectural amalgamation of many centuries, cultures and many heritages’ that came to pay their homage here. The temple definitely has architecture of the Gupta period and 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 Hieun Tsang visited in the 7th century. Overnight at hotel
Day
02 - Bodhgaya – Gaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna Morning drive to Patna (181 kms) enroute visit Rajgir & Nalanda
Rajgir, known earlier as 'Rajagriha' or Girivaraja, nestles in the rocky hills that witnessed the teachings of both Buddha and Mahavira. It lies 15 km south of Nalanda, and was the ancient capital of the Magadha kings. The Buddha frequented Rajagriha, seeking the solitude and tranquility of the Jivkamaravana monastery, preaching and meditating at the Griddhakuta hill (Hill of vultures). It was at this hill, that he converted one of his celebrated followers, the Mauryan king Bimbisara, to Buddhism. After the Buddha reached 'parinirvana', his followers held the first Buddhist council at the Saptaparni cave. It was here, that His teachings were penned down for the very first time. An important pilgrimage centre for Hindus and Jains, Rajgir is also known as Panchpahari with shrines on five hills. Today, Rajgir is a picturesque and serene place, visited by pilgrims from all over the globe.
The site of Nalanda was one of the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world. Established in the 5th century B.C. it remained a live center of learning till the 12th century A.D. when it was destroyed by the invader Bakhtiar Khilji. Lord Mahavira and the Buddha both taught here for years. Hsuan Tsang. The Chinese traveler studied here in the 7th century A.D. and there is a monument in his memory. He was one amongst many of those from East and Southeast Asia who came here to study logic, meta-physics, medicine, prose composition and rhetoric. Excavations have revealed nine levels of occupation. Spread over 15 hectares stand the ruins of six temples, eleven monasteries, the Sariputra Stupa built by Asoka to honor the Buddha's first disciple, Ananda, and scattered chaityas or prayer halls.
Upon arrival in Patna – check into the hotel. Overnight at hotel
Day
03 - Patna – Delhi – DharamshalaMorning transfer to airport for flight to Delhi.
Leave: Patna at: 0910 hrs by: IC 410 Arrive: Delhi at: 1035 hrs
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met and proceed for a brief sightseeing tour of Delhi.
This afternoon you will be taken to visit New Delhi drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto Bangla Sahib Gurudwara temple, the most important site of worship for both Sikhs and Hindus in Delhi. Thereafter, drive to Connaught Place, the commercial heart of Delhi, for souvenir shopping.
Evening transfer to the railway station for train to Pathankot.
Leave: Delhi at: 2110 hrs by: Jammu Mail Overnight on board
Day 04 - Arrive Dharamshala
Arrive: Pathankot at: 0740 hrs
Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met and transferred to Dharamshala (90 kms). Check into hotel.
Dharamshala - the hill resort, once very popular with the British, is today the residence and headquaters of His Holiness the 'Dalai Lama' who set up his government in exile at Mcleodgunj. The town rises in levels up the hill from 1250m to 2000m with the dramatic peaks of the Dauladhar rising above.
Visit the Tashijong monastery - with a commanding view of the Kangra valley, this monastery is one of the several built after the Dalai Lama settled here. Tashijong also promotes arts like carpet weaving, tankha painting & block printing, and runs a school for young Tibetan children. Overnight at hotel
Day
05 - Dharamshala – AmritsarMorning at leisure for own activities. Afternoon drive to Amritsar (199 km). On arrival, check-in at hotel. If the time permits, you can visit Indian-Pakistan Border famously known as Wagah Border (28 km from Amritsar) to experience the “beating the retreat” ceremony when border is closed for the day after sunset. Overnight at hotel
Day 06 - Amritsar – Delhi – Onward journey
Morning sightseeing tour of Amritsar: visit the Golden Temple: During Maharaja Ranjit Singh's reign the lower half of the temple was decorated with marble while the entire upper half was inlaid with copper covered over by gold plate : hence its new name, the Golden Temple. Free kitchen and recitation of the divine word never cease here. Its four gates invite everyone from all directions.
Jallianwala Bagh: Martyrs' Memorial built in the shape of eternal flame of liberty is situated on the outskirts of Golden Temple. Here, about 1500 to 2000 persons who were attending a peaceful meeting during the freedom movement fell under the bullets of the British General Dyer, on April 13, 1919. The British Queen Elizabeth II and her husband laid a wreath at the Memorial on 14 Oct' 1997.
Evening transfer to the railway station for train to Delhi.
Leave: Amritsar at: 1705 hrs by: Shatabdi Express Arrive: Delhi at: 2250 hrs Upon arrival in Delhi, you will be met and transferred to the international airport for your onward journey.