5 Nights Itinerary Covering: Bodhgaya – Rajgir – Nalanda – Patna – Vaishali - Kushinagar
Buddhism is one of the oldest religions in our country. And when it comes to Buddhism, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are the most prominent sites where Gautam Buddha (the founder of Buddhism) had spent most of his life. Bihar is blessed with the divine light as it is the place where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. And after his enlightenment, Buddha traveled to Uttar Pradesh where he met his five disciples and finally attained Parinirvana (after death). Hence, both of these Indian states hold immense religious significance for the devotees of Buddhism.
The Golden Triangle of Buddhist Tour is a 6-day and 5-night package tour covering the prominent religious centers in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The tour starts from Bodhgaya, taking you to Rajgir, Patna, Vaishali, Kushinagar and Varanasi. Our Buddhist tour in India will shed light into the life of Lord Buddha and take you to some of the renowned historical and religious landmarks in both of these states.
Browse through our suggested itinerary and let us know if you want to make any kind of modification.
Note: This is just a suggested itinerary indicative of what could be possible. We tailor holidays for your specific needs. Contact us if you want modifications so that we could tailor a holiday to suit your need for an unforgettable India tour.
Upon arrival in Bodhgaya, you will be greeted by our tour representative and escorted to the hotel. After completing the check-in formalities, freshen up and embark on a tour of the much revered Mahabodhi Temple, Bodhi Tree as well as the Thai Temple.
Bodhgaya is a major religious destination for the Buddhist devotees. It is the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment 2500 years back. Thousands of devotees flock to this small holy town to pray and seek blessing from the lord.
Mahabodhi Temple is one of the most prominent religious attractions in the world. This temple is also a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. The 180-feet tall structure rises out of the flat plain land and sprawls across 4.8 acres of land. A yellow sandstone statue of Buddha is enshrined in the temple. It also contains ancient shrines built by the followers of Buddhism.
Adjacent to the Mahabodhi Temple stands the ancient Bodhi Tree which is known for its religious and spiritual significance. It is believed that the tree you see today is a direct descendant under which Gautam Buddha meditated long back.
To strengthen the bond between India and Thailand, the Monarch built the Thai Temple in Bodhgaya in the year 1956. A huge bronze statue of Lord Buddha is enshrined in the temple. This shrine showcases the beauty of Thai architecture and its exquisite interior and exterior are a feast to the eyes.
Overnight stay at Bodhgaya.
The second day of your Buddhist tour in India starts with a hearty breakfast and then heading towards Patna by car. On the way, you will be sightseeing around Rajgir, the ancient capital of Bihar and afterward stop at Nalanda University, one of the oldest universities in the world. The day ends after arrival in Patna and finally checking in to the allotted hotel.
Patna, also known as Pataliputra is the capital as well as the largest city in Bihar that stands along the bank of the River Ganga. It was founded by the Magadha King in 490 BC.
The ancient city of Rajgir is a place of historic as well as spiritual importance. It is closely related to Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism. It is believed that Gautam Buddha has delivered many sermons at this holy destination. The region is also packed with hot water springs that have medicinal properties and helps in curing skin related diseases.
Ajatshatru Fort was built in the 6th-century by Ajatshatru, the famous Magadh King. The palatial fort also houses a stupa of the same name. It is believed that Lord Buddha stayed here during the construction of the fort.
The Vishwa Shanti Stupa is perched atop the Ratnagiri Hill at a height of 400 meters above the sea level. This stupa is an architectural marvel and draws tourists throughout the year.
The bamboo forest of Venu Vana was gifted by Bimbisara to Lord Buddha. This tranquil spot houses a huge pond in the center. It is believed that Lord Buddha used to take a bath here before starting his day.
The 40 kilometers cyclopean walls enclose ancient Rajgir. They were built during the Mauryan period and separated this region from other places. The remains of the cyclopean walls can be seen even today.
Nalanda is one of the oldest universities in the world that was built during the patronage of the Gupta Dynasty. The legendary Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang also studied at this reputed institution.
Overnight stay at Patna.
Early in the morning, indulge in a lip-smacking breakfast and freshen up. Today your India Buddhist pilgrimage tour will continue to Kushinagar. The estimated travel distance is 518 kilometers. On the way, you will be exploring Vaishali which had its roots in the Hindu epic Ramayana. After reaching Kushinagar, check-in at the allotted hotel and rest for the night.
The small town of Kushinagar is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage site where Lord Buddha attained Parinirvana. The followers of Buddhism living abroad believe visiting this holy region is a lifetime experience.
Vaishali is a very ancient city that stands on the bank of the Gandak River. This old city is closely associated with Buddhism as well as Jainism. Devotees believe that on major occasions, Gautam Buddha used to visit Vaishali. Today, some parts of this ancient city are excavated by archaeologists.
The iconic Ashoka Pillar is the top tourist attraction in Vaishali. Built by King Ashoka, it stands erected near the coronation tank. Unlike all other Ashoka Pillars, this Lion Pillar is designed with only one lion on the top.
Abhishek Pushkarna is often referred to as the ceremonial tank that contains the sacred ashes of Lord Buddha.
Overnight stay at Kushinagar
On the fourth day of your Golden Triangle India Buddhist pilgrimage tour, you will be going for a sightseeing tour in Kushinagar. After getting a glimpse of the much-revered Mahaparinirvana Temple and the sacred Wat Thai Temple, you will proceed towards Varanasi. The approximate distance is 230 kilometers by road. After arrival, complete your check-in formalities and rest for the day.
Mahaparinirvana Stupa is a renowned Buddhist Temple which is considered as the death bed of Lord Buddha. The stupa contains the reclining Buddha statue in a vaulted chamber. This sacred site was restored in 1877 and was entirely reconstructed by the Archaeological Survey of India.
The gorgeous Wat Thai Temple is an architectural delight that is nestled amidst the lush greenery. The temple was built by the Buddhist disciples to celebrate King Bhumibol's accession to the throne.
Overnight stay at Varanasi
The day begins with an early morning boat ride on Ganga River. Post breakfast, get ready and visit the holy town of Sarnath that holds a lot of significance amongst the followers of Buddhism. Afterward, embark on a sightseeing tour around Varanasi. Visit the iconic Kashi Viswanath Temple, Durga Temple and the Benaras Hindu University. Finally, drive back to the hotel.
Varanasi, formerly known as Kashi is the oldest living city on the earth. This atmospheric city is the epicenter of Hinduism in the country. Varanasi is dotted with temples and has a unique vibe that you cannot find anywhere else.
The sacred destination of Sarnath is the site where Lord Buddha preached 'Dharma'. This small town is the home to the Dhamekha Stupa and a few more Buddhist structures that belonged to the ancient era.
The much-revered Kashi Viswanath Temple stands along the bank of River Ganga. It is considered as one of the holiest Shiva temples in the world. The auspicious occasion of Shiv Ratri draws devotees from every corner of the country.
Durga Temple is an 18th-century temple dedicated to Maa Durga. It was built by a Bengali queen in the Nagara architectural style. On the occasion of Navratri thousands of devotees flock to the temple to seek blessings from the goddess.
The historic Benaras University was built by Annie Besant and Madan Mohan Malaviya in the year 1916. The main campus sprawls across 1300 acres of land that was donated by the former ruler of Benaras. Today, this educational institution boasts of the largest residential campus in Asia.
Overnight stay at Varanasi.
After breakfast, you will be driven back to the airport for your onward journey. Finally, the Golden Triangle India Buddhist pilgrimage tour ends here.
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