Buddhist Culture Tour

Tour Destination: Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Sarnath - Varanasi - Bodhgaya - Rajgir - Nalanda - Patna - Delhi

Travel Duration: 10 Nights/11 Days

DAY 1: DELHI

Arrive in Delhi and later transfer to the hotel. In the evening you can enjoy local activities and shopping the local markets.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 2: DELHI

After breakfast enjoy full day city tour of Old Delhi & New Delhi visiting

RED FORT- This is a magnificent fort with beautiful artwork of red sandstone on the banks of river Yamuna. It is a huge complex of gardens and pavilions and marble palaces.

JAMA MASJID- This is the largest mosque in India, located opposite to the Red Fort, it was again the great Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan behind this architectural masterpiece.

RAJ GHAT- Built on the banks of the legendary Yamuna, which flows past New Delhi, Raj Ghat-the last resting place of Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation.

INDIA GATE- Built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers killed in World War I, India Gate was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and completed in 1931. The green, velvety lawns at India Gate, particularly, are a popular evening and holiday rendezvous for young and old alike.

PRESIDENT'S HOUSE- New Delhi, centers around the Rashtrapati Bhawan. It is architecturally a very impressive building standing at a height, flowing down as it were to India Gate. 

HUMAYUN'S TOMB- The emperor's grieving widow, Haji Begum, built Humayun's Tomb the first mature example of Mughal architecture in India, in 1565 AD.

LAXMI NARAYAN TEMPLE- Also called the Birla Mandir it was built in 1938; the temple is an ideal introduction to some of the gods of the India pantheon.

LOTUS TEMPLE- The Bahai's Temple, is shaped like a lotus. It is an eye-catching edifice worth exploring. Built by the Bahai's community, it offers the visitor a serenity that pervades the temple and its artistic design.

QUTAB MINAR- It is among the tallest and famous towers in the world. Qutab Minar is famed as the highest brick minaret of the world, located amidst the lush greens of South Delhi. 

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 3: DELHI - JAIPUR

Today, drive towards Jaipur- the pristine jewel in the desert sands of Rajasthan. Transfer to hotel. In the afternoon visit the Pink City viewing

HAWA MAHAL- One of the most common and popular tourist attractions in Jaipur. This five-storey building was used as a veil by the royal women folk to watch the proceedings on the road below. 

CITY PALACE- In the heart of the old city is former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. The palace also has an art gallery with an excellent collection of miniature paintings, carpets, royal paraphernalia and rare astronomical works in Arabic, Persian, Latin and Sanskrit, acquired by Sawai Jai Singh II to study astronomy in detail.

JANTAR MANTAR- A stone observatory, largest of Jai Singh's five remarkable observatories. The observatory was built to study the movement of stars. The observatory is built in stone and marble.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 4: JAIPUR - FATHEPUR SIKRI - AGRA

After breakfast visit 

AMER PALACE- A beautiful complex of palaces, halls, pavilions, gardens and temples built by Raja Man Singh. Tourists often ride on the elephant back to the Singh pool and the JalebChowk.

And drive towards Agra, enroute visiting Fatehpur Sikri

FATHEPUR SIKRI- Once the capital of the Mughal emperor Akbar, a deserted, red sandstone city built by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century.

Further continue your drive to Agra. Transfer to hotel and evening free for leisure.

Overnight at Hotel

DAY 5: AGRA - JHANSI - KHAJURAHO

After breakfast at the hotel, visit Agra viewing

TAJ MAHAL- It is the most beautiful monument in Agra. The beauty and grandeur of the Taj Mahal has made it one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife-Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the most beautiful monuments in the world. A beautiful gift from a Mughal emperor to his deceased wife, the Taj Mahal is a symbol of love and beauty. 

AGRA FORT- Built in red sandstone, this huge fortress on the bank of the Yamuna. The fort house has many beautiful palaces and mansions, which include Jahangiri Mahal, Khass Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass and Diwan-i-Aam.

ITMAD-UD-DAULA TOMB- Also known as Baby Taj, this tomb is a daughter's tribute to her father. It was built in 1628 by Nurjahan in memory of her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg.

Later in the afternoon transfer to Agra Railway Station to catch train to Jhansi. On arrival straight drive to a unique thousand-year-old heritage temple complex in Madhya Pradesh- Khajuraho.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 6: KHAJURAHO - VARANASI

After breakfast, visit Khajuraho viewing

EASTERN GROUP OF TEMPLES- The Eastern Group of Temples is divided into two parts, temples dedicated to Jainism and temples dedicated to Hinduism. Some of the main temples of this group include Parsavanath Temple, Adinath Temple, Ghantai Temple, Hanuman Temple, Vamana Temple and Brahma temple.

SOUTHERN GROUP OF TEMPLES-The Southern Group of temples consists of two very important temples of Dulah Dao Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which was erected between 1100 AD and 1150 AD and the Chaturbhuja Temple.

WESTERN GROUP OF TEMPLES- The Western Group of Temples is mainly dedicated to Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Varaha Temple, Kandariya Mahadeo, Chaunsat Yogini Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Lakshamana Temple, Vishwanath Temple and Matangeswara Temple are the main temples of this group.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM- Founded by W.A. Jardine in the year 1910, Khajuraho Archaeological Museum is located close to the Matangeshwar Temple nearby the western group of temples. This open-air museum consists of amazing artifacts of Indian architecture.

Later in the evening transfer to Khajuraho Airport to catch flight to Varanasi situated on the west bank of the holiest of all Indian rivers, the Ganga or Ganges.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 7: VARANASI - SARNATH - VARANASI

Today morning go on an excursion to the City of Enlightenment- Sarnath. Located 10kms East of Varanasi close to the confluence of rivers Ganges and Varuna, Sarnath is one of the major Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world.

CHAUKANDI STUPA- The stupa is regarded as one of the most divine and important monuments of the Buddhist culture. This stupa has been built on the exact spot where the great Lord Buddha first met his five ascetics- to whom he later went on to preach his first teachings.

ASHOKA PILLAR- The national emblem of India and a mark of Emperor Ashoka's visit to Sarnath, the Ashoka Pillar crafted out of stone is an impressive structure with four lions at the top.

THAI TEMPLE- The temple displays the Thai style of architecture. The temple is set amongst beautiful gardens and is managed by Thai Buddhist Monks offering calm and peaceful surroundings.

TIBETAN TEMPLE- This Buddhist shrine has been decorated with Thangksa, which are Tibetan Buddhist paintings. The temple features a statue of Shakyamuni, the Buddha. 

Later return back to Varanasi and spend evening view Aarti ceremony on the Ghats. 

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 8: VARANASI

After breakfast, visit Varanasi viewing

KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE- Kashi Vishwanath, a manifestation of Lord Shiva, is the patron deity of Varanasi. The idol is a jyotirlinga, one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. The Kashi Vishwanath temple has been built and re-built several times over the past few centuries. The present temple was built in the 18th century by Rani Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore after Mughal emperor Aurangzeb destroyed the previous temple and built a mosque at the site (now adjacent to it). The temple gets its name from Kashi, which is another name for Varanasi.

BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY- Banaras Hindu University is one of the largest universities in the world and a prime attraction in Varanasi. It was founded by Pandit Mohan Malviya in 1916 and is internationally reputed. 

ASSI GHAT- Assi Ghat is the southern most ghat . It is located at the confluence of Ganga and Assi rivers. In the evenings, there is an aarti at Assi Ghat which attracts many tourists. Pilgrims bathe in the waters at the ghat before paying homage to Lord Shiva. It is the best place to witness Hindu culture and traditions as well as a beautiful sunrise.

DASHASHWAMEDH GHAT- Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the oldest and most important ghats in Varanasi. In the early 16th century when the Marathas were ruling over the region, they built several ghat sin Varanasi that lined the holy river Ganga. 

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 9: VARANASI - BODHGAYA

Today drive to Bodhgaya. Transfer to the hotel. Later visit the holy city of Gaya.

MAHABODHI TEMPLE- The Mahabodhi temple is also called as the "Great Awakening Temple". It is among one of the World Heritage Sites. It is a Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, which marks the location where the Buddha, is said to have attained enlightenment. Mahabodhi temple is a historical place at which the Enlightenment of Gautam Buddha took place which later on became a place of pilgrimage. 

BODHI TREE- The Bodhi Tree, is perhaps the most prominent and respected sacred places in Buddhism because of the rich historical significance attached to it. It is under this tree that Prince Siddhartha Gautama, the spiritual teacher who later became to be known as the Buddha, attained enlightenment. It is believed that Prince Siddhartha had to sit and meditate under this tree for seven days. Later on, a shrine known as Animisalocana Cetiya was erected on the spot where he had sat down. A small temple was also built near the Bodhi tree in the 7th century.

GREAT BUDDHA STATUE- This statue of Lord Buddha is the tallest in India and was instated by the XIV Dalai Lama in 1989. It is a meditating Buddha resting on a giant lotus, constructed using intricately carved sandstone and red granite.

THAI MONESTRY- Well known for its curved roof covered with exquisite tiles of gold, the Thai Monastery houses a bronze statue of Buddha and another recently erected 25m high statue in the garden.

ROYAL BHUTAN MONESTRY- The Royal Bhutan Monastery has been named so, as it was built by the King of Bhutan as a dedication to Lord Buddha. Clay carvings are seen on the interior walls of the monastery that depict different aspects of the Buddhist culture.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 10: BODHGAYA - RAJGIR - NALANDA - BODHGAYA

Today morning go on an excursion to Rajgir and Nalanda. 

JAPANESE PEACE STUPA- Also known as the Vishwa Shanti Stupa, this pillar is situated atop the Gridhakuta hill at an altitude of 400m. It was built as a symbol of world peace by the Japanese. This marble pillar also showcases four golden statues of Buddha depicting different stages of his life - birth, enlightenment, preaching and death. This location can be accessed by an aerial ropeway.

VULTURE'S PEAK- This was the place where the Lord Buddha set in motion his second wheel of Law and for three months every year during the rainy season, preached many inspiring sermons to his disciples. The Buddha Sangha of Japan has constructed a massive modern stupa, the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), at the top of the hill in commemoration.

BAMBOO GROVE- King Bimbisara donated the Bamboo Grove, Veluvana to Buddha for his residence. Today, it is a park with admiring sights of bamboos, flowers and a large pond with Buddha's image in the centre.

Further continue your drive to the beautiful city of Nalanda visiting 

NALANDA UNIVERSITY- This University is one of the ancient heritage marvels of India that shaped the country's identity as the giver of the knowledge. Spread over an area of 14 hectares, the ruins here feature splendid temples and monasteries built by the patron kings.

NALANDA MUSEUM- Established in 1971, Nalanda Museum houses many ancient antiquities excavated from Nalanda University ruins and also at Rajgir. The antiques here feature many Buddhist and Hindu bronzes, a number of ancient Buddhist manuscripts, coins, pottery and inscriptions of Maurya and Gupta period.

SURYA MANDIR- Located near Nalanda University, Surya Mandir is dedicated to the Sun God and features a number of Hindu and Buddhist idols.

HUIEN TSANG MEMORIAL HALL- This memorial hall is dedicated to the historic Chinese traveller who came who left his home country in pursuit of Buddha and Buddhism to India in the 5th century AD and stayed in Nalanda for 12 years as a student. Also, he served the university as a teacher and studied the social and political conditions in the country. The memorial hall was built in his memory.

In the evening drive to Patna. 

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 11: PATNA - DELHI

Day free for leisure and in the evening depart at Patna Airport to catch flight to Delhi and onward.