On the Footsteps of the
Buddha

Gautama Buddha, born a prince
over 2500 years ago, set out to discover how to overcome suffering and bring
happiness to the individual, family and society. Before he died, the Buddha
suggested that it would be of great benefit to make a pilgrimage to the places
associated with his life. Travel in the Buddha’s Footsteps, visiting the sites
of the Buddha’s birth, childhood, enlightenment, and death. This is an
opportunity to develop an understanding of the aspects of Indian life that have
not changed for millennia, and experience rural life in villages and homes. This
transforming journey is set at a slow pace, exploring the Buddha as a human
being, to understand his dramatic life and his significance. |
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Day 1: Depart for Delhi
Day 2: Delhi Arrive Delhi and be transferred to your hotel.
Day 3: Delhi - Patna (B, L, D) Fly to Patna, an ancient northern Indian
city, founded 490 BC as a small fort (Pataligrama) near the River Ganges within
the kingdom of Magadha janapada. It became the capital for both the Mauryan
dynasty under Chandragupta and, later, of the Imperial Guptas. Pataliputra
reached the pinnacle of prosperity when it was the capital of the great Mauryan
Emperors, Chandragupta Maurya and Ashoka the Great. The city prospered under the
Mauryas and a Greek ambassador Megasthenes resided there and left a detailed
account of its splendour. The city also became a flourishing Buddhist centre
boasting a number of important monasteries. It remained the capital of the Gupta
dynasty (3rd-6th century) and the Pala Dynasty (8th-12th century). The city was
largely in ruins when visited by the famous Chinese monk Hsüan-tsang in 7th
century, and suffered further damage at the hands of Muslim raiders in the 12th
century. Afterwards Sher Shah Suri made Pataliputra his capital and changed the
name to modern Patna. In the afternoon drive to Vaishali, located 40 miles away
and famous for its Buddhist stupas, the Asoka Column and the Bawan Pokhar
Temple.
Day 4: Patna - Rajgir (B, L, D) Drive to Rajgir, once capital of the
Magadha Empire and location of the first Buddhist Council. Visit the site of the
Buddha’s first monastery, Vulture Peak, Jivaka’s mango Grove, the jail where
King Bhimbisara was imprisoned by his son and continue to the Satadhara (seven
hot springs).
Day 5: Rajgir - Nalanda - Bodhgaya (B, L, D) Drive to Nalanda. Founded in
the 5th century, Nalanda was one of the world’s greatest universities. See the
Great Stupa and the Archaeolgical Museum. Continue south to Bodhgaya, the place
of the Buddha’s enlightenment for a 3-night stay.
Day 6: Bodhgaya (B, L, D) Spend the day in contemplation, in and around
the Mahabodhi Temple; and listening to stories of Buddha. Visit some of the best
outlying temples erected by Buddhists from all parts of the world.
Day 7: Bodhgaya (B, L, D) Take a gently day walk across the countryside to
a cave in the Dungasiri Mountains where the ascetic Gautama practiced
austerities.
Day 8: Bodhgaya - Varanasi (B, L, D) Drive to Varanasi. Varanasi, “eternal
city,” has been a center of learning for over 2,000 years, and is one of the
most important pilgrimage sites in all of India. A city of lingams dedicated to
the Lord God Shiva, Varanasi is known as an “auspicious” place to die and a
super-highway to heaven. Lining the river are numerous burning ghats and bathing
ghats. In addition to the ghats, numerous temples dedicated to numerous gods dot
the city streets. Later, you can begin to explore the area around your hotel and
visit a sari factory.
Day 9: Varanasi (B, L, D) Before dawn, you will take a morning boat ride
on the Ganges to see the early morning prayers along the ghats. When you
disembark, you can do some sightseeing visiting some of the temples on the
shore, wandering the narrow streets of Vishwanatha Khanda, the Old City at the
heart of Varanasi. The area will be buzzing with the activity of pilgrims, and
stalls selling offerings to the faithful. In the afternoon, you will pay a visit
to the holy ruined city of Sarnath. Here in Sarnath, Buddha gave his first
sermon after attaining enlightenment. Few major Buddhist cities escaped the
building frenzy of Ashoka, and Sarnath is no exception. Right near the Dhamekh
Stupa are the remains of Ashoka’s pillar, with his name engraved in the stone.
The stupa is believed to mark the spot where Buddha preached his sermon at Deer
Park. Sarnath also has a small but very interesting museum, with some prized
sculptures dating back to the Gupta period.
Day 10: Varanasi - Kushinagar (B, L, D) Start early to drive north to
Kasia, the ancient Kushinagara, where the Buddha uttered his final words in 479
BC. Visit the Nirvana Stupa, the magnificient stone reclining Buddha and the
site of his cremation. The late afternoon sunlight gives the place a very nice
atmosphere that is rarely sightseen by other Western visitors.
Day 11: Kushinagar - Lumbini (B, L, D) Drive across the India - Nepal
Border to the Buddha’s birthplace in Lumbini. Visit the sacred garden in
Lumbini, the Temple of Maya Devi of the Buddha’s mother.
Day 12: Lumbini - Kapilavastu - Sravasti (B, L, D) Drive to Kapilavastu,
the kingdom of Prince Siddhartha’s father, King Suddhodhana who tried in vain to
protect his son from suffering. Continue on to Sravasti where the Buddha spent
three to four months each year on retreat. Spend some time in the beautiful Jeta
Grove where the Buddha gave some of his most important teachings.
Day 13: Sravasti - Lucknow - Delhi (B, L, D) Drive to Lucknow, capital of
Uttar Pradesh State, where you catch a short flight to Delhi, arriving
Delhi late in the late afternoon.
Day 14: Delhi - USA (B) Board your return flight.
Trip date: October 16 - 29, 2016
Tour Price: including flights: $ 4640 per
person excluding flights: $ 3090 per person
Landcost includes: First class accommodation Internal
flights, All tours with English speaking guides Meals as listed in the
program (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner) Air conditioned vehicle for
ground transportation Monument entrance fees as per program Baggage
handling, hotel taxes and service charges
Landcost does not include: International airfare Visa
fees for the countries visited All personal insurances Gratuities and
items of personal nature
Our Hotels (or similar): Delhi: Ashok Country Resort
**** Patna: Maurya **** Rajgir: Indo Hokke *** Bodhgaya: Royal
Residency *** Varanasi: Taj Gateway **** Kushinagar: Royal Residency
*** Lumbini: Lumbini Hokke *** Sravasti: Lotus Nikko *** |