AWAKENING & EMPIRE: THE BUDDHA-MUGHAL JOURNEY

Arrival: Welcome on arrival at Delhi Airport, Meet & greet by Magadh Tours executive with traditional garland.

Transfer: Transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Overnight: Stay overnight at the hotel in Delhi.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer: Timely transfer to airport to catch the flight for Bodhgaya. 

Arrive: On arrive Bodhgaya, check-in at the hotel.

Bodhgaya is famous as the site where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.

Proceed to Visit:

Mahabodhi Temple: is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in the world.

Bodhi Tree: is a sacred fig tree (Ficus religiosa) that holds immense spiritual significance for Buddhists worldwide.

Overnight: Stay overnight at hotel in Bodhgaya.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to Full-day sightseeing in Bodhgaya:

Sujata Village: Village where Sujata offered milk-rice to Buddha, marking the end of his asceticism.

Niranjana River: River near which Buddha meditated before his enlightenment.

Dungeshwari Cave: The place where Lord Buddha spent severe 6 years before getting enlightenment at Bodhgaya.

Various International Monasteries: Monasteries built by various Buddhist countries, reflecting their unique architectural styles and traditions.

Overnight: Stay overnight at hotel in Bodhgaya.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to Visit: Early departure to Rajgir (approx. 2 hours/ 170 kms), known for its hot springs and as a meditation retreat for Buddha and Mahavira. 

Vulture’s Peak (Griddhakuta): where Buddha delivered many sermons.

Venuvana Monastery: Gifted by King Bimbisara.

Proceed to Nalanda (20 minutes), home to the ancient Nalanda University, a great center of learning in ancient India. 

Nalanda ruins: One of the world’s oldest universities and a center of learning for Mahayana Buddhism.

Nalanda Archaeological Museum: one of the world’s earliest and most famous centers of higher learning and Buddhist studies.

Afternoon Transfer to Bodhgaya: Drive to Bodhgaya (1.5 - 2 hours), the most sacred Buddhist pilgrimage site where Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree.

Evening: Check in to the hotel in Bodhgaya. 

Overnight: Stay overnight at Hotel in Bodhgaya.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer: Drive to Varanasi (approx. 250 km).

Arrive: On arrival, excursion to Sarnath (approx. 14 km).

Proceed for Sightseeing:

Dhamekha Stupa: Built at the site where Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment.

Deer Park: The location where Buddha first taught the Dharma to his five disciples.

Sarnath Museum: Houses the Lion Capital of Ashoka and other significant Buddhist artifacts.

Evening: Enjoy Aarti on Holy River The Ganges. 

Return to Varanasi, hotel check-in.

Overnight: Stay overnight at hotel in Varanasi.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer: Drive to Kushinagar (approx. 260 Kms / 4 Hrs).

Arrive: On arrival Kushinagar, transfer to hotel.

Proceed to visit: 

Mahaparinirvana Temple: Marks the sacred place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana, or final nirvana, after his death.

Ramabhar Stupa: It is considered one of the holiest sites in Buddhism, symbolizing the Buddha’s final release from the cycle of rebirth (samsara).

Indo-Japan Temple: is a prominent Buddhist temple built through the collaboration between India and Japan.

Overnight Stay: Overnight stay in a hotel at Kushinagar.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer: Drive to Lumbini, Nepal (approx. 04 hrs. / 190 kms). Kindly obtain double entry visa for India & single entry visa for Nepal.

Arrive: On arrival, check in at hotel. Overnight stay in a hotel at Lumbini.

Proceed to visit: 

The Holy Birth place of Lord Buddha: Lumbini is the sacred birthplace of Gautama Buddha and a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide.

Maya Devi Temple: The Maya Devi Temple in Lumbini marks the exact spot where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Lord Buddha, and is the spiritual heart of the sacred garden, surrounded by ancient ruins and the sacred pond.

The Ashokan Pillar in Lumbini: was erected by Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE to commemorate Lord Buddha’s birthplace, and it still stands as a symbol of peace and devotion.

Overnight: Stay overnight at hotel in Lumbini.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer: Drive to Sravasti (approx. 220 Kms / 5 Hrs). 

Enroute visit Kapilavastu – The place where Lord Buddha spent his childhood. 

After visit drive continue to Sravasti.

Arrive: On arrive Sravasti. Check in at hotel. 

Proceed to visit: 

Jetvanaram Monastery: A famous monastery where Gautama Buddha spent many rainy seasons teaching.

Ananda Bodhi Tree: A sacred tree planted by Ananda as a symbol of the original Bodhi tree.

Saheth-Maheth: Ancient ruins of stupas and monasteries marking the historic city of Shravasti.

Overnight: Stay overnight at hotel in Sravasti.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer: Drive to Sankasia (approx. 380 Kms / 7-8 Hrs).

Arrive: On arrival Sankasia, check in at hotel.

Sankasia is the Place where Lord Buddha descended from heaven to teach his mother. 

Proceed for Sightseeing:

The Bisari Devi Temple: An ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Bisari, attracting local devotees.

Ashokan Pillar: A pillar built by Emperor Ashoka, topped with an elephant capital.

Sankisa Stupa: sacred Buddhist site marking the place where Gautama Buddha is believed to have descended from heaven.

Overnight: Stay overnight at Hotel in Sankasia.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer: Drive to Agra (approx. 180 Kms / 3 Hrs).

Arrive: On arrival Agra, check in at hotel.

Proceed for Sightseeing:

Taj Mahal: A magnificent white marble mausoleum built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

Agra Fort: A historic red sandstone fort that served as the main residence of Mughal emperors.

Overnight: Stay overnight at Hotel in Agra.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Transfer: Depart to Delhi (approx. 240 Kms / 4.5 Hrs).

Arrive: On arrive Delhi.

Proceed for sightseeing:

India Gate: A war memorial honoring Indian soldiers who died in World War I.

Drive Pass Parliament House: The seat of India’s legislature, seen during a drive pass for its grand circular architecture.

Drive Pass President House: The official residence of the President of India, admired for its majestic design during a drive pass.

Transfer: Timely Transfer to airport to catch the flight for onward destination.