| [Update: 04Oct 2008] | |
| Tour Name | 10 days Footsteps of Buddha Pilgrimage Tour |
| Tour Code | 10DFBPT |
| Validity |
2 To Go. Valid from Now to 31Mar 2009 |
In
regarding the places of Pilgrimage for any Buddhist
are the locations where the Buddha had stayed, gave his sermons,
or became enlightened. Among these places there are four that
are the most prominent. These are Lumbini where
the Buddha was born; Bodhgaya where
he became enlightened, Sarnath where
he gave his first sermon to the first followers that he had,
and Kushinagar where he
left this world, entering into Mahanirvana. |
||
| Day
1 Singapore
Q Delhi |
(Dinner) | |
 |
Set
your watch back 2hr 30min to Indian time. Welcome to Delhi,
India. Meet & assist upon arrival by our representative and
proceed for a combined tour of Old and New Delhi. Visit Jamma
Mosque (biggest Mosque in India), built in 1650AD. Drive
past Red Fort; India Gate –
the 42-metres high memorial arch is a tribute to the 90,000 Indian
soldiers killed during World War I; Parliament House.
After dinner transfer back to hotel for overnight stay 3* hotel
or similar. |
|
| Day 2 Delhi Q Lucknowv Balrampur (153 kms/4 hrs) | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) | |
 |
Morning
after breakfast, transfer to domestic airport for flight to Lucknow.
Arrive Lucknow meet and greet by local representative will welcome
you at the airport upon your arrival drive to Balrampur. Upon arrival visit Sharavasti (Sehath-Mehath). Dinner & Overnight at hotel Maya Balrampur or similar. |
|
| Day 3 Balrampur v Sravasti v Lumbini (197 kms/4hrs) | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) | |
 |
After
breakfast in hotel, you can have some time to roam around the
place before leaving for Lumbini in Nepal, drive 197kms journey
will take around 4 to 5 hours. While going to Lumbini stop at India / Nepal border for Visa / Immigration formalities after clearing border drive to the little village of Lumbini. On arrival visit The Birth Place of Lord Buddha - Lumbini is situated in Kapilvastu district of Lumbini Zone, the western Teria of Nepal. Here in a grove of Sal trees, Queen Mahamaya gave birth to Gautama, the Buddha. Emeror Ashoka in twenthy first year after his coronation visited the birthplace and raised a pillar on the spot. The pillar carries the inscription - where the Buddha was born. Another shrine preserves an ancient image depicting the nativity of the Lord. Overnight Lumbini Htl Nirvana or similar. |
|
| Day 4 Lumbini v Kushinagar (230kms/5hrs) | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) | |
|
Morning
after breakfast leave for Kushinagar, (from Lumbini
to Kapilvastu approx. 85 kms) Enroute visit Kapilavasti
(Piprahwa) The capital city of the Sakya clan where one of the
earliest republics. Here Lord Buddha spent his childhood. Here
he saw sorrow and pain, disease and death. Then, finally he saw
a radiant happy Sadhu who had conquered all these, he decided
to renounce all worldly riches and pleasures to seek truth and
embark on the path of salvation. This place holds significant value for Buddhist pilgrims and has several stupas. The archaeological excavations have revealed stone caskets containing relics believed to be that of Buddha’s. Continue your journey to Kushinagar (approx: 148kms estimated journey 3-4hrs) Later drive to Kushinagar The Holy Place of Mahanirvana temple. It was here the Tathagata, the reciter of truth, breathed his last words!” behold now, brethren, I exhort you, saying, decay is inherent in all component things! Work out your salvation with diligence!” A temple dedicated to the event-the Mahaprinirvana temple today stands amidst a serene “Sal “grove, As if still reminiscing the great demise. Also visit Ramabhar Stupa, which is supposedly the spot where Lord Buddha was cremated. Also see the beautiful statue of reclining Buddha. Thereafter visit Mukutbandhan Stupa built by Malla Dynasty to house Buddha’s relics after cremation. Overnight stay in Kushinagar Hotel Lotus Nikko or silimar. |
||
| Day 5 Kushinagar v Vaishali v Patna (253 kms/6.5 hrs) | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) | |
|
Morning
after breakfast leave for Patna. Entroute visit Vaishali,
believed to be the first republic of the World, having an elected
body of representatives, hold a special significance for Buddhist
devotes. The excavations carried out in vaishali have brought
to light Buddha stupa 1 and 11 (14th century B.C) built in brick
with a casket containing part of ashes of Buddha. Emperor Ashoka
erected a huge pillar to commemorate the spot of the last sermon.
Thereafter continue journey to Patna. Upon arrival visit Harmandir Temple in Marble built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh (19th century), Golghar - Huge Beehive shaped Granary; the Patna Museum containing original Chinese and Tibetan scrolls and the Khudabaksh oriental library. Overnight stay in Patliputra Ashok Hotel or similar. |
||
| Day 6 Patna v Nalanda v Rajgir v Bodhgaya (198 kms/5 hrs) | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) | |
|
After
breakfast drive to Bodhgaya enroute visit Nalanda
90kms from Patna, Founded in the 5th century B.C. Nalanda was
one of the World’s great universities and an important Buddhist
center until its sacking by the Afghans in the 12th Century. It
is said that over 10,000 students and Buddhist monks resided here.
The extensive brick built remains include few intact votive stupas
around it and the monks cell. An archeological museum houses the
Nalanda University seal, sculptures and other
remains found on the site. Lunch at Rajgir. Rajgir Hills are known for a large number of Buddhist & Jain monuments. The Buddha preached at Rajgir and so did Mahavira. There are hot springs and pools at Rajgir, which add to the charm of the holy place. Sightseeing of Gridhrkutta Mountain (Vulture’s Peak), Venuvana and Bimbisara Fort. Thereafter drive to Bodhgaya, upon arrival transfer to hotel for overnight stay at Hotel Lotus Nikko or similar. |
||
| Day 7 Bodhgaya | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) | |
|
Bodhgaya
where the prince became a seer twenty-five centuries ago, a prince
of a tiny kingdom on the indo-Nepal Border, as dissatisfied with
Life. He wandered for many years and then came to a spot in a
forest where he sat under a Bodhi tree, the saplings
of which can still be seen in the temple premises. There in burst
of illumination, he discovered the meaning of existence and became
Lord Buddha. The place is Bodega. Full day visit of the Mahabodhi temple is an amalgation of many cultures and centuries. The highlight of the temple include tall stone lotuses, figures of Buddha sitting in different postures on the walls, his footprints on the stones and a colossal golden Buddha in the sanctum sanctorum. The Bodhi Tree is situated in the premises of the temple, is the one under which Buddha attained illumination. White, Green and Red flags tied onto the tree form a canopy over seven sacred shrines, which symbolize the seven weeks that Buddha spent here. Overnight at Bodhgaya. |
||
| Day 8 Bodhgaya v Varanasi | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) | |
|
After
breakfast depart for Varanasi (approx: 275kms
7hr) estimated journey. Varanasi is probably the oldest living
city in India and one of the worlds most ancient. It was earlier
known as Kasi, the city that illuminates. The present name is probably derived from the fact that it is situated on the confluence of the rivers Varuna and Asi – Varanasi is a city that can not be described, only experienced. Later visit Sarnath 10km from Varanasi, is the blessed locale where more than 2,500 years ago Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon, after attaining Nirvana. The Great emperor Ashok erected magnificent stupas, and monasteries here, which are now in ruins, however the 34 meter high Dhamekh stupa still marks the spot where the Master first preached. Besides Dhamekh stupa, Sarnath also has ruins of Dharmajajika stupa, Dharmok stupa, built more than 2000 years ago. At Sarnath smooth glistening stone pillar, called Ashok Pillar. The lion capital on top of this pillar built is now the National Emblem of India. Many ruins survive including shrine built by Great Indian Emperor Ashok (272-232 BC). A Modern Sri Lankan temple contains Japanese Buddhist paintings. Dinner and overnight stay hotel Hindustan International or similar. |
||
| Day 9 Varanasi Q Delhi | (Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner) | |
(Optional
Tour) Early Morning 5.45 AM visit to bathing Ghats
take a Boat ride on Holy River Ganges exposes one to some of the
carefree, colourful and revered aspects of Hindu life as the sunrise
over the far banks, the Ghats come alive with ritual Hindu worship
and sounds of temple bells, walk through narrow lanes, past the
gold plated Vishwanath temple. Visit the Bharat Mata temple, Durga Temple, Emperor Aurangzeb Mosque, drive past famous Benaras Hindu University with its marble Shiv temple and drive through the busy shopping streets enjoy some time for shopping for Baneras silk materials Benaras is famous for its Silk Brocades and beautiful Benaras sarees. Afternoon transfer to the domestic airport for flight back to Delhi. Upon arrive Delhi at 1655 hrs, meet assistance on arrival and if time permits will go for a last min shopping in Connaught Place. After dinner, transfer to hotel for your overnight stay. Overnight stay at hotel Sun Star Grand or similar 3* hotel. |
||
| Day 10 Delhi Q Singapore | ||
|
Morning
transferred to International Airport for your flight back to Singapore.
Arrive home sweet home with holy blessing of Lord
Buddha! |
||
*Under
certain circumstances, the actual sequences of sightseeing programs
might be altered based on local agents arrangements |
||
| BUDDHIST
PILGRIMAGE |
Per
Adult Rate (S$) |
Per
Child Rate (S$) |
||||
| Twn |
Triple |
Singale |
1A1C |
With
Bed |
No
Bed |
|
| Package
Inclusive; ~ Return Airfare on Indian Airlines "W" Low; ~ Tour and meals as per itinerary; ~ Private Tour with driver cum guide; |
Package
Excludes; ~ Tipping; ~ India Tourist Visa Fees; ~ Airport Taxes. |
|
|||||||||
|