India, being the birthplace of Buddhism is among one of the top pilgrimage destinations in the world. The Buddhist pilgrimage with Taj Mahal special tour package of 11 days and 10 nights will make you experience the wonders of Buddhism in a new light. Visit the top Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in India, gain enlightenment of your own and rejuvenate your senses.
Upon arriving at Delhi your Buddhist pilgrimage with Taj mahal special tour will commence. You will be escorted to your hotel by our tour representative who will fetch you from your location. You will be staying overnight at the hotel. Evening time will be free for you to explore the neighboring places and gorge on the famous street foods of Delhi.
Post breakfast you will be taken on a sightseeing tour of the capital starting with a visit to the cremation ground of father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi, which is Raj Ghat. Afte rpaying your respects there you will be taken to the famous red sandstone structure of Red fort which also houses numerous museums inside it showcasing the lifestyle of the mughals. Next you will then be escorted to Jama Masjid, a prime place of worship for the muslim population and an imposing representation of Islamic architecture. The complex of Qutab minar (the tallest brick tower in the world) will be next on your list in places you must visit in Delhi.
Driving past the neatly trimmed and maintained lanes of the glorious president’s house and parliament house you will be taken back to your hotel for staying the night.
Post breakfast you will be driven to airport where you will be catching your flight to Patna. After a 1.5 hour long journey you will be escorted by the tour representative to Bodhgaya. This 4 hour drive will take you en route Nalanda one of the oldest university in the world along with being one of the prime centres of Buddhist learning and Rajgir – the site for Gridha kuta, apart from being Buddha’s favourite place for offering discourses it was here where the first Buddhist council took place after Buddha’s mahaparinirvana. You will finally be checked in to your allotted hotel here for an overnight stay.
Post breakfast you will be escorted on a sightseeing tour of this holy city. You will be made to visit the famous mahabodhi mandir, which is built on the spot where Buddha had attained his enlightenment after years of preaching and meditation. Built by Ashoka, the temple also houses a descendant of the bodhi tree under which Buddha had attained his enlightenment. You will then be taken to Lilajan River, which was crossed by Buddha on his journey towards the Bodhi tree and he also took his first bath here after enlightenment.
After an enriching experience at these sites of Buddhist pilgrimages you will then be taken back to your hotel. The evening time will be free for you to explore the nearby city on foot.
You will be driven to Varanasi after breakfast which will be a 6 to 7 hours drive. Upon your arrival in Varanasi you will be checked in to your hotel duly. Varanasi is one of the prime Hindu pilgrimage destinations. In the evening before spending the night at your hotel you will be taken for an evening Ganga arti at a nearby ghat.
Early in the morning you will be headed out for a boat ride on the holy River Ganga. You will then return for breakfast to your hotel before heading out for a sightseeing tour. The sightseeing tour will start off with a visit to some of the famous temples here like, Kashi Vishwanath – one of the most popular Lord Shiva temples, dhamek stupa – one of the earliest stupas commissioned by Ashoka which is located at a distance of 13 km from Varanasi, and Banaras Hindu University before kick starting your excursion to Sarnath which is located at a distance of 45 mins to 1 hour. Sarnath is another important pilgrimage destination among Buddhists since it is here where Buddha had delivered his very first sermon after enlightenment hence setting in motion the wheels of Buddhist faith.
Your day will conclude by heading on towards your allotted hotel in Sarnath.
You will be taken to Kushinagar after covering a drive of 7 hours. Upon arriving here you will be straightaway checked in to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Your morning time will commence with a visit to Mahaparinirvana mandir – the place where Buddha took his last breath and addressed his sangha. Next you will be taken to Rambhar stupa – which is a wide dome and one of the prime pilgrimage spots for devout Buddhists.
Later you will be driven to the birth place of Buddha – Lumbini, which is situated in Nepal. This will be a 4 hour drive and upon your arrival here you will be transferred to your allotted hotel. Ashokan pillar here holds immense significance for Buddhists before heading back to your hotel after paying a visit to this pillar.
After concluding an early breakfast meal in the morning you will be taken to Sravasti, which is located at a distance of 4 hours from Lumbini. Once you arrive here you will immediately be checked in to your hotel. You will then be made to proceed for a brief sightseeing tour of some of the important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations here like, sahet mahet – the capital of ancient Kosala and an active centre of pilgrimage for Buddhism. Your day will end once you head back to your hotel for an overnight stay.
Your early morning time will be free for you to carry out your leisurely activities. Later you will be driven to Lucknow which is a 5 hours drive, from where you will be made to board the train heading towards Agra which will be an overnight journey.
You will be arriving at Agra early in the morning and after breakfast you will proceed to visit the 7th wonder of the world and a true representation of love – Taj Mahal along with visiting its neighboring red sandstone structure which was also the residential place for Mughal rulers – Agra fort.
After a wholesome day out you will be driven to Delhi which is a 4 hours drive where you will board your flight heading onwards to your desired destination hence concluding your journey.
