Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours
Siddharth Gautama, born the son of a king, grew up in Kaplavastu amidst luxury and splendor. At the age of 20 he left earthly distractions behind, to begin his quest for the true meaning of life- a search that took him to the land of Magadha.At Bodhgaya, after many years of penance and deprivation, he attained " Enlightenment" under the sacred Bodhi tree to become the Buddha. In the fabled deer park of Saranath, the Buddha preached his first sermon. He then traveled widely preaching his philosophy. At the age of 80, in the forest of Kushinagar, he entered perfect tranquility the state of "Parinirvana." In the fabled deer park of Saranath, the Buddha preached his first sermon. He then traveled widely preaching his philosophy. At the age of 80, in the forest of Kushinagar, he entered perfect tranquility the state of "Parinirvana." Lumbini, Bodhgaya, Saranath, Khushinagar, Saravasti, Vaishali and Kapilavastu - sacred places of the Buddha continue the legacy of this remarkable being who practiced and preached peace, purity and love. We invite you now to this special world not just for spectacular temples, monasteries, and stupas but where you may actually walk in the footsteps of "The Enlightened One" the man who changed the world.
LUMBINI
It was about 2500 years ago Lord Buddha was born to Queen Maya. In 249 B.C. Emperor Ashok raised a Pillar to commemorate the sacred spot. Today, although nothing remains at Lumbini, but Buddhist followers regard it as one of the sacred Site of Buddhist Pilgrimage being birth place of Blessed one.
BODHGAYA
Bihar State reckoned as the most important Buddhist Pilgrimage Centre where Lord Sakyamuni entered into mediation after being moved by the sufferings of mankind. Prince Siddharth mediated for 6 long years under the BODHI TREE and finally attained NIRVANA.
RAJGIR
Rajgir meaning Royal Palace is the Seat from where LORD BUDDHA delivered many of His sermons. It is the place where the Teachings of Lord Buddha were recorded in writing for the first time. There are many other places having Historical significance in Rajgir.
SARNATH
About 10 kms. from Varanasi where Lord Buddha has chosen to deliver His first sermon after attaining NIRVANA to His first 5 disciples now termed Dharmachkra Pravartan. This set in motion the great Buddhist tradition of Sangh.
KUSHINAGAR
Lord Buddha has visited this place in the 6th. & 9th. years after His Enlightenment. He delivered several Sermons here elevating it to a Centre of learning Buddhism. Today, one can see the ruins of an Ashokan Pillar, an old FORT and Ghositaram monastery. It is the place where the Lord Buddha (Tathagata), the reciter of truth, breathed His last with the last words " Behold now, brethren, I exhort you, saying, decay is interent in all component things! Work out Your salvation with diligence " Since the Mahaparinirvana of LORD BUDDHA, the Kushinagar was turned into a memorial Site with Stupa including relics of Buddha.
SRAVASTI
is the Capital of the ancient Kingdom of Kosala and where Buddha confounded his cretics with a manifold manifestation of himself, seated on a thousand petalled Lotus. In the third rainy season after His enlightenment, the Lord Buddha visited Sravasti and stayed at the beautiful pleasure garden " JETVANA " a gift of devotion from the rich merchange SUDATTA who later on built numerous Shrines and monasteries in memory of The Lord Buddha.
SANKASIA
About 200 kms. from Agra there is a Buddhist Site known as Sankasia where Lord Buddha descended from the Heaven after preaching His mother in the 9th. month of Tibetan Calendar. He visited small Buddha Temple, Ashokan column with an Elephant Capital and hamlet mound that remains here.
VAISHALI
is believed to be the first Republic of the world having an elected body of representatives who holds special significance for Buddhist devotees. At Kolhua LORD BUDDHA delivered His last sermon, hinging at His impending departure from the mortal World. Later Emperor Ashok erected a huge Pillar to commemorate the spot of the Last Sermon. Vaishali was also the Centre of the II Buddhist Council congregation , held after 100 years of Buddha's Parinirvana to discuss the ten points of VINAYA, the rule of conduct under dispute.
NALANDA
90 kms. from Bodhgaya is the Site of a Buddhist University of great repute which came up much after Buddha passed into Mahaparinirvana. The ruins reflect the architectural styles of three famous periods in Indian History. The Mauryas, The Gupta and the Pala periods. There are ruins of Temples and Stupas within the University complex and The Nalanda Museum houses several undamaged Statues of the Lord Buddha, collection of Buddhist bronzes and Coins.
SANCHI
is situated 45 kms. from Bhopal. Sanchi can be covered during a Days excursion. It has a special importance in Buddhist history and sculptures here are some of the most beautiful expression of Buddhist Arts in the world. It was from here that the Emperor Ashok sent his Son Mahindra to Sri Lanka to propagate Buddhism. Later SANCHI became a seat of Buddhist learning and its monuments dating back to 2500 years are well preserved to this Day.
AJANTA
A full day excursion from Aurangabad. There are 30 magnificent Rock-Cut Buddhist Cave Temples dating from 2nd. Century B.C. to 7th. Century A.D One can see the Wall paintings, pulating with life, recount the life of the King and the commoner. Also one can see the frescos portraying in epic form the religious and secular life through eight centuries.
ELLORA
Ellora is just 30 kms. from Aurangabad. There are 30 magnificent rock-cut temples of three religions i.e. Buddhist, Hindu and Jain. The most remarkable rock-cut Buddhist temples are Cave No. 5, 6 & 12 and the Kailash temple carved out of a mountain side, an engineering marvel.
NAGARJUNAKONDA
Nagarjuna Sagar earlier called Vijayapuri is an important Buddhist site located 150 kms. from Hyderabad the Capital of Andhra Pradesh State. It was named after the Buddhist Saint Acharya Nagarjuna and reveals one of the most civilizations of the 3rd. Century A.D. A replica of the excavated site has been created and carefully preserved on an Island known as Nagarjuna Konda. The excavation have brought to light the Maha chaitya, the most sacred of the stupas. An inscription in Brahim characters states that the relics of Buddha lie within the Mahachaitya while others have revealed the existence of a Vihara and also an Aswanedha (sacrificial alter) besides tools from the Paleolithic and Neolithic ages.
AMRAVATI
Another most magnificent and widely known Buddhist Site in Andhra Pradesh is AMRAVATI for its massive, lavishly recreated Stupa. This is the place where Lord Buddha has given the first KALACHAKRA INITIATION and proper place is next to the Stupa. This place is most sacred Buddhist pilgrim Centre situated on South bank of River Krishna and is 65 kms from Vijayawada.
Tour Duration - 11 Days/ 10 Nights
Route - DELHI OR KOLKATA/ PATNA/ NALANDA/ RAJGIR/ BODHGAYA/ VARANASI/ KUSHINAGA/ LUMBINI/ LUCKNOW/ DELHI/ AGRA / DELHI OR KOLKATA
Total days :17 Days
Total days :8 to 12 days
