Buddhism Tour from Varanasi - A Journey of Enlightenment

Arrival in Varanasi:

Upon arrival at Varanasi Airport or Railway Station, our representatives will warmly welcome you. You will then be transferred to your pre-booked hotel for check-in.

Temple Tour: After some rest, begin your spiritual journey by visiting some of Varanasi’s most revered temples: New Kashi Vishwanath Temple (BHU) – also known as the Birla Temple, Sankat Mochan Temple, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir.

Excursion to Sarnath: Following the temple visits, proceed to Sarnath, one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites. It is here that Lord Buddha, after attaining enlightenment in Bodhgaya, delivered his First Sermon at the Deer Park in Isipatana.

Mulagandhakuti Vihara, Sarnath Museum (closed on Fridays), Chaukhandi Stupa, Dhamekh Stupa, Dharmarajika Stupa and Buddhist Monastery

Evening Experience – Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat:

After returning and freshening up, witness the captivating Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. This divine ritual is a symphony of lights, sounds, and spiritual chants performed by priests in perfect choreography. The aarti honors Mother Ganga, the sacred river worshipped as a goddess in Hinduism.

Optional: You can experience the aarti either from the ghat or by boat on the river (boating available on direct payment basis).

 After this spiritually uplifting experience, return to your hotel for an overnight stay in Varanasi.

Begin your day early at 5:30 AM with a spiritual tour of Varanasi. Visit the revered Old Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, followed by the Annapurna Temple, Vishalakshi Temple, and the powerful Kal Bhairav Temple, each holding deep religious significance for devotees.

After your temple visits, return to the hotel for breakfast. Post breakfast, check out and begin your scenic drive to Bodhgaya, one of the holiest sites in Buddhism.

Upon arrival in Bodhgaya, check in to your hotel and take some time to rest. Later, continue your journey of spiritual discovery with visits to:

Sujata Temple – dedicated to the woman who offered Buddha his first meal after his asceticism, Sujata Kheerdan Sthal – the spot believed to be where Sujata offered kheer (sweet rice pudding) to Buddha, Mahabodhi Temple – the iconic symbol of Buddha’s Enlightenment, The sacred Bodhi Tree, The towering Great Buddha Statue, and Various monasteries built by Buddhist communities from across the world.

After completing your sightseeing, return to the hotel for a comfortable overnight stay in Bodhgaya.

After breakfast, set out to explore Bodhgaya, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Buddhists around the world. This is the revered place where Gautama Buddha attained supreme Enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree.

Begin your visit at the iconic Mahabodhi Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that stands as a symbol of peace and spiritual awakening. Continue to the Bodhi Tree, believed to be a direct descendant of the original tree where Buddha meditated.

Next, marvel at the Great Buddha Statue, an impressive 25-meter tall representation of Lord Buddha in meditation. Then, take time to explore the various monasteries built by different Buddhist countries, each showcasing unique cultural and architectural styles.

After completing the day's sightseeing, return to your hotel for a comfortable overnight stay in Bodhgaya.

After breakfast, depart for Patna, with en-route visits to Rajgir and Nalanda, two historically and spiritually significant sites.

Your first stop is Rajgir, the ancient capital of the Magadha Kingdom and an important pilgrimage destination for Jains, Hindus, and Buddhists. Visit the impressive Viswa Shanti Stupa, built by Japanese Buddhists on Ratnagiri Hill. This grand white peace pagoda, accessible by chairlift, features statues of Lord Buddha representing the four key stages of his life—birth, enlightenment, teaching, and death. From the hilltop, take in panoramic views of Jain shrines scattered across 26 surrounding hills.

Also explore Griddhakuta (Vulture’s Peak), another sacred site on Ratnagiri Hill where Buddha is believed to have delivered many important sermons.

Next, proceed to Nalanda, one of the world’s oldest centers of learning and a renowned monastic university dating back to the 6th century B.C. Visit the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara, which was once a vibrant hub of Buddhist studies and attracted scholars from as far as Tibet, China, Korea, and Central Asia.

After the sightseeing tour, continue your journey to Patna. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and relax after the day's enriching experiences.

Overnight stay in Patna.

After breakfast, embark on a scenic drive to Kushinagar, with an en-route visit to the historic site of Vaishali. It was here that Lord Buddha announced his approaching Mahaparinirvana, marking a significant event in the history of Buddhism.

Continue your journey to Kushinagar, the sacred place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvana and was cremated, making it one of the four major pilgrimage sites for Buddhists around the world.

Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy some rest.

In the afternoon, proceed to visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple, which houses a magnificent reclining statue of Lord Buddha, commemorating his final moments. Afterwards, explore the Rambhar Stupa, the cremation site of the Buddha, surrounded by serene gardens and spiritual tranquility.

Overnight stay in Kushinagar.

After breakfast, depart for Lumbini, the revered birthplace of Lord Buddha, located in the Rupandehi District of Nepal. This sacred site marks the beginning of Buddha’s earthly journey and is a vital pilgrimage destination for Buddhists around the world.

Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and relax.

Later in the day, explore the Lumbini Sacred Garden, home to several spiritually significant sites:

The Ashokan Pillar, erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BCE to mark Buddha’s birthplace.
The Bodhi Tree, under which many devotees meditate in silence.
The Royal Thai Buddhist Monastery, a stunning example of traditional Thai architecture amidst serene surroundings.

Lumbini offers not just spiritual depth, but also a unique blend of natural beauty and peaceful ambiance, making it a place of reflection and tranquility.

Overnight stay in Lumbini.

After breakfast, begin your journey to Sravasti, with a stop en route at Kapilavastu, the ancient capital of the Shakya kingdom. This is where Prince Siddhartha (later Gautama Buddha) spent his early years before renouncing worldly life in search of enlightenment.

Continue the drive to Sravasti, a prominent center for Buddhist learning and meditation. It was here that Lord Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons and delivered many important sermons. The city is also associated with several miracles performed by the Buddha.

Upon arrival, visit:
The Angulimala Stupa, dedicated to the reformed dacoit-turned-disciple of the Buddha.
The ruins of Sahet-Mahet, once part of the ancient city and now an important archaeological and pilgrimage site.

After sightseeing, return to the hotel. Overnight stay in Sravasti.

After breakfast, visit the sacred site of Jetavana, one of the most frequented monasteries during Lord Buddha’s lifetime. It was here that he delivered numerous sermons and spent a significant part of his monastic life. Also visit the revered Ananda Bodhi Tree, believed to have been planted by Buddha’s chief disciple, Ananda.

After your visit, drive to Lucknow. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to Lucknow Airport or Railway Station for your return or onward journey.

End of Tour.