| 28 Nov: USA -> NEPAL - transit. |
29 Nov: ARRIVAL IN KATHMANDU |
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Upon arrival in Kathmandu, meet Anila Delek and transfer
to the hotel.
Overnight: Hotel Bluestar. |
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30 Nov: KATHMANDU
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Morning: sightseeing in Kathmandu and visit of
the Swayambhunath Stupa.
Afternoon: visit of
Boudhanath, the Great Stupa.
Overnight: Hotel
Yak and Yati or Hotel Blue Star. |
01 Dec: KATHMANDU -> BHAIRAWA (F5-545 Cosmic Air
Flight. Departure 9:30 am,
Arrival 10:15 am) |
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Transfer to airport after breakfast. Fly to Bhairawa via
Cosmic Air. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.
Afternoon:
After lunch, sightseeing tour of the sacred Lumbini Garden,
including the Ashokan Pillar, Maya Devi Temple, Puskarni -
the sacred pool, sanctum and Buddhist temple.
Overnight:
Buddha Maya Garden Hotel. |
02 Dec: Bhairawa -> Kushinagar (150 Km: approximately
3 hr drive): |
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Today after breakfast we check out of our hotel and proceed
27 km west of Lumbini to Kapilvastu. Believed to be the capital
of the Shakya republic where Lord Buddha lived and studied
until his thirteenth year, the ruins of the historic town
Kapilvastu have been identified as Tilaurakot by archaeologists.
The site is believed to have
been associated with different important periods; there are
ruins and mounds of old stupas and monasteries made of kiln-burnt
bricks and clay-mortar. The remains are surrounded by a moat
and the city ramparts are made of brick. In fact, the city
of Kapilvastu is so vast that it can be easily be visualized
as an ancient seat of high culture.
Next, we continue our drive
to Kushinagar, one of the principal Buddhist pilgrimage sites.
53 km west of Gorakhpur, Kushinagar is where Shakyamuni Buddha
entered Mahaparinirvana. His departure from his body and the
subsequent cremation here marked his final liberation from
the samsaric cycles of death and rebirth. This was the endpoint
of his final journey, which retraced much of the road he had
traveled when he left Kapilavastu many years before.
It was General Cunningham and
A.C. Carlyl who brought this ancient site to light. Only after
its excavation in 1861 was its antiquity established for the
first time. After this, between 1904 and 1912, several excavations
conducted by the archaeological Survey of India at Kushinagar
confirmed its ancient identity. When he reached his eighty-first
year, Buddha gave his last major teaching - the subject was
the thirty-seven wings of enlightenment - and left Vulture
Peak to journey north.
On arrival in Kushinagar we
check in to our hotel. Later we will visit Maha Parinirvana
Temple and the Ramabhar Stupa. The rest of the day is free
for relaxation.
Overnight: Lotus Nikko. |
03 Dec: Kushinagar -> Patna: (200 km: approximately
4 hr drive): |
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After breakfast we leave for Patna, and will visit Vaishali
en route. From here we continue our journey to Patna. On arrival
in Patna we check in our hotel. The rest of the day is free
for relaxation.
Overnight: Hotel Maurya. |
04 Dec: Patna -> Bodhgaya: (253 km: approximately
5 hr drive): |
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After breakfast we leave for Bodhgaya. En route we will
visit Rajgir, where we can visit Vulture Peak and the ruins
of Nalanda Buddhist University. On arrival in Bodhgaya we
check in to our hotel. Bodhgaya is the most important Buddhist
pilgrimage site in the world. Apart from being a significant
archaeological site, it is also a vital Buddhist centre. Devout
Buddhists and tourists from all over the world visit Bodhgaya
to study Buddhism and the art of meditation, or to simply
absorb the aura of solemn grandeur that permeates the area.
Bodhgaya is generally a quiet and peaceful place. The rest
of the day is free for relaxation.
Overnight: Hotel Lotus Nikko. |
05 Dec: Bodhgaya |
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Today our pilgrimage begins with a visit to The Bodhi Tree.
At the western side of the Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodhgaya stands
the large and historic Bodhi Tree under which Shakyamuni Buddha,
then known as Gautama, attained enlightenment some 2540 years
ago. Gautama had been practicing austerities for six years
in the area of the Niranjana River near Bodhgaya. Finally
understanding that this could not lead to realization, he
abandoned his austerities and in the nearby village of Senani
(now also known as Sujata) the Brahmin girl Sujata offered
him milk-rice. Strengthened by this, he took some kusha grass
for a mat and sat under the pipal tree facing east. He resolved
not to rise until he attained enlightenment.
We’ll also visit the Mahabodhi
Temple, next to the Bodhi Tree. Its architectural effect is
impressive indeed. The ground floor is 48 square feet, and
it rises in the form of a slender pyramid, till it reaches
its top point, which is cylindrical in shape. The total height
of the temple is 170 feet; on the top of the temple are Chatras,
which symbolize the sovereignty of the religion. Four towers
on its four corners rise gracefully, giving the holy structure
poise and balance.
This sacred edifice is like
a grand, timeless banner that proclaims to the world the Buddha’s
enlightened efforts to overcome the pain of human misery and
lead us beyond worldly problems, towards attaining transcendental
peace through a disciplined life, positive actions and wisdom.
Inside the temple in the main
sanctum, on an altar, is a grand statue of the Buddha. Seated,
he is touching the earth with his right hand, the posture
of supreme enlightenment. The statue is of black stone but
it has been guilded by devotees.
The entire courtyard of the
temple is studded with a large variety of stupas: votive,
decorative, and memorative. These stupas of all sizes were
made during the past 2500 years. Many of them are very beautiful.
The rest of the day is free for personal activities.
Overnight:
Lotus Nikko. |
06 Dec: Bodhgaya -> Varanasi (Via the Mahabodhi
Express Train, Departure 2:10pm, Arrival 6pm) |
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Afternoon: we will be driven to the railway station
in time to board our train to Varanasi. On arrival in Varanasi
we’ll check into our hotel. Varanasi or Banaras (also
known as Kashi), is one of the oldest living cities in the
world. Varanasi`s prominence in Hindu mythology is virtually
unrivalled. The word 'Kashi' originated from the word 'Kas'
which means to shine. Steeped in tradition and mythological
legacy, Kashi is the 'original ground ' created by Shiva and
Parvati. A cornerstone of Indian classical culture, glorified
by legend and sanctified by religion, it is said to have existed
since the beginning of time. Varanasi is also renowned for
its rich heritage of music, arts, crafts and education.
The rest of the day is free for relaxation.
Overnight:
Hindustan International. |
07 Dec: Varanasi |
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Early morning a serene experience begins as we take a sunrise
cruise on the River Ganges. One of the cardinal principles
of Hinduism is the belief in the holiness of the Ganges; every
morning scores of pilgrim and priests fill the riverbanks
performing holy ablutions and other rituals. This site, so
different from anything we may have seen anywhere else in
the world, has to be seen and experienced. After breakfast
we’ll take a tour of Varanasi and visit are around Sarnath.
The city is famous also for
its silk, especially its Banarasi silk sarees.
We’ll then visit Sarnath, the buried Buddhist city.
Seven miles from Varanasi, Sarnath is where Gautam Buddha
delivered his first sermon in the quietness of Deer Park and
set the "Wheel of the Dharma" in motion. After the
site visit, feel free to visit the Sarnath Museum, where the
Ashoka Pillar-the lion-capital or emblem of the Government
of India - is preserved. The evening is free to enjoy this
5000-year-old city.
Overnight: Hindustan International. |
08 Dec: Varanasi -> Kathmandu (By air) |
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Today we are transferred to airport in time to connect our
flight for Kathmandu. Upon arrival, we’ll transfer to
the hotel. The rest of the day is free.
Overnight:
Hotel Bluestar. |
09 Dec: Kathmandu -> USA |
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Free till departure. Transfer to airport and journey homeward. |
