Land Of Bhuddha

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for sightseeing and visit - the Mahabodhi Temple Complex the  Bodhgaya Archaeological Museum which houses a small collection of Buddhist sculpture from the 1st century B.C, to the 11th century A.D., the Sujata House - temple dedicated to an Uruvela tribeswoman, who offered food to the starving Siddhartha.  

• Overnight: stay at Bodhgaya.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and depart for Patna enroute visit – Nalanda, the ancient Buddhist university, one of the world’s oldest universities founded in the 5th century. Also visit monasteries and temples with impressive Buddhist & Hindu images. The Institute for research in Buddhism and Pali literature which houses rare manuscripts is also worth visiting for the enthusiasts. After Nalanda, drive further to Rajgir. During the lifetime of the Buddha, Rajgir was the capital of the powerful Magadh kingdom, ruled by the virtuous king Bimbisara. Visit the Vishwa Shanti Stupa. It is a marble structure with niches bearing golden images of the Buddha, built by the Nipponza Myohoji sect of Japan, Griddhakuta - a rock protrusion resembling a vulture’s beak, probably gave the hill its name. In the rock cut caves here the Buddha spent many rainy seasons, meditating and preaching. Venuvana Vihara- Site of the monastery Venuvana Vihar built by king Bimbisara for Lord Buddha to reside. This was the king’s first offering to Lord Buddha.Jivakameavan Gardens: Seat of the Royal Physician’s dispensary where Lord Buddha was once brought to have wound dressed by Jivaka, the royal physician during the reign of Ajatshatru and Bimbisara. On arrival at Patna, check-in at the hotel. 

• Overnight: stay at Patna.

After breakfast at the hotel, check out and proceed to Kushinagar enroute visit Vaishali. Lord Buddha visited Vaishali frequently and at Kolhua, close by, preached his last sermon. To commemorate the event, Emperor Ashoka, in the third century B.C. erected one of his famous lion pillars here. A hundred years after the Mahaparinirvana of the Buddha – Vaishali hosted the second great Buddhist council. Two stupas were erected to commemorate this event. On arrival at Kushinagar, check-in at the hotel. 

• Overnight: stay at Kushinagar.

After breakfast at the hotel, proceed for sightseeing of Kushinagar - the place that the Buddha chose for his Mahaparinirvana or final exit from this earth. There are several new monasteries and temples,  the Rambhar Stupa that marks Buddha’s cremation ground. Mahakashyapa lit the funeral pyre at Mukutabandha Vihara (Rambhar Stupa) in Kushinagar. Today not much remains of this stupa except a large brick mound rising to a height of almost 15 meters set within a well-kept park and the Mahaparinirvana Temple. Check out of the hotel by Noon and depart to Varanasi. On arrival at Varanasi, check-in at the hotel. 

• Overnight: stay at Varanasi.

Early morning after breakfast at the hotel, check out of the hotel and proceed to enjoy a sublime boat ride on the Ganges River. View the numerous ghats along the bank of the Ganges, presenting a varied scene from dawn to dusk. Later, proceed to Sarnath, located eight km from Varanasi. It is famous as the place where the Buddha first preached his message after attaining nirvana. And, visit the Dhamek Stupa… it marks the spot where the Buddha proclaimed his faith in front of his first five followers. The earliest and most important relic found here is the Ashoka pillar, erected in 250 BC. Later, you will be transferred to the airport in time to board your flight back home.