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Day 1: Arrival / New Delhi
Late night arrival, Meeting and assistance upon arrival as our
representatives welcome you and escort you to your van. Whilst
the room keys and check-in is organized, our representative
would introduce the tour to you and hand over the documents to
you. Welcome to India, or as we say 'atithi devo bhava' (the
guest is an incarnation of God). Thank you for giving us the
opportunity to serve you!
Overnight Stay in Hotel
Day 2: Delhi to Agra
Visit beautiful Taj Mahal, Agra fort, night stay at Agra.
Day 3: Delhi / Varanasi (Shivganga Express - 182 / 7*)
After breakfast, we proceed on a guided tour of New Delhi,
Visiting such sights as Bahai Temple, Humayun's Tomb (1586), the
Qutab Minar 72 meters high and one of the most perfect towers in
the Persian world. The Iron Pillar which has survived the
vagaries of weather for over 15 years. Continue with a drive
through Embassy area, the Government buildings (1921-193) and
Connaught Place, the heart and main shopping district of the
capital.
Later in the evening drive to the Delhi Railway station to board
an overnight train to Varanasi.
Overnight : 1st Air-Conditioned Sleeper Accommodation
Day 4: Arrival / Varanasi
Meeting and assistance upon arrival and transfer to Hotel
After breakfast we proceed for the sightseeing tour. First stop
would be the Bharat Mata (temple of Mother India). Inaugurated
by Mahatma Gandhi, it features a huge marble map of India on the
ground floor. Next up, the Durga Temple. Known for its bright
red color and the playful, if sometimes aggressive, monkeys that
run amok there, the Durga Temple is one of the most imposing
architectural monuments in Varanasi.
The university, which occupies a large piece of land at the
southern end of town, is also home to the New Vishwanatha
Temple. The New Temple is modern in design and open to Hindus
and non-Hindus alike. Surrounded by palm trees, it is a splendid
white marble structure that shines in the afternoon sun against
a pale blue sky. Inside, the temple is spacious and airy. The
interior walls are covered with Vedic art above inscriptions
from the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads. In the center of the
first floor is the Shiva linga.
Overnight Stay in Hotel
Day 5: Varanasi
Day free at Varanasi.
Day 6: Varanasi / Bodhgaya
At dawn we visit the sacred Ganges for a boat ride. Every
morning at dawn hundreds of worshippers can be seen bathing in
the sacred waters. The great river banks are lined with an
endless chain of stone steps-the ghats-that stretch from one end
of the city to the other. The Ghats form an impressive part of
the religious landscape of the city. Proceeding downstream at a
leisurely pace, you would be pointed out the significant temples
and buildings as well as the changing architectural style. Life
and death go hand in hand in Varanasi. While young people seek
prosperity and protection from harmful influences, the older
generation comes to Varanasi to cleanse their souls in the
forgiving waters in preparation for their ultimate dissolution.
Believing that anyone who dies in the river of life in Varanasi
gains freedom from the cycle of birth and death, the City of
Light has become a haven for the sick and aged waiting out their
final days. The smoke that billows from the crematoriums on the
edge of the river gives testimony to their final release from
life's earthly confines. We would docked our boat at Manikarnika
(Cremation) Ghat. On any given day, anywhere from a few dozen to
a few hundred corpses are cremated here, The ghat is assiduous
with activity as the cremated bodies threw up smoke and fire.
Later we drive to Bodhgaya. Upon arrival check into your Hotel.
Overnight Stay in Hotel
Day 7: Bodhgaya
Full day touring of Bodhgaya. One of the holiest of holy pilgrim
places for the Buddhists of the world is Mahabodhi Temple at
Bodh Gaya The Mahabodhi Temple built on the east of the sacred
tree stands majestically 17 feet high on a base 5 feet square,
and consists of a soaring pyramidal tower surmounted by a stupa.
The Vajrasan or Diamond Throne lying between the Bodhi Tree and
the temple marks the actual spot where Buddha sat in meditation
and attained supreme knowledge. A gilded Buddha smiles upon the
visitors from a niche in the wall of the temple, and his
footsteps carved in stone hold flower offerings from the devout.
Unbelievable peace pervades the atmosphere giving credence to
legend
Day 8 : Bodhgaya
Day free at bodhgaya on your own.
Day 9: Bodhgaya / Rajgir / Nalanda / Patna Patna / Delhi (Magadh
Exp: 185/1145 hrs)
Morning we drive to Patna en-route we visit Rajgir & Nalanda.
Rajgir is a verdant valley surrounded by rocky hills. Here on
Griddhakuta or Vultures Peak the 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 have constructed a massive modern stupa,
the Shanti (peace) stupa at the top of the hill in
commemoration. The view from the top is breathtaking. One can
climb up to the top along a bridle path. However, the aerial
chairlift is far more exciting.
Twelve kilometres from Rajgir is Nalanda which was in Buddha's
time a lovely resort of Saints and ascetics. Lord Buddha visited
Nalanda several times and delivered some important sermons. It
emerged as a university in the 5th century A.D. and remained the
greatest seat of learning for 7 years. Great thinkers like
Nagarjuna, the Mahayana Buddhist Philosopher. Dharmapala the
Brahman scholar, Aryadeva, and Padmasambhava taught here.
After sightseeing we drive to Patna Train Station in time to
board overnight train for Delhi.
Overnight : 1st Air-conditioned Sleeper Accommodation
Day10: Arrival / Delhi Delhi / Departure
Meeting and assistance on arrival in Delhi and transfer to the
hotel, Rest of the day is at leisure for your independent
activities Delhi today is truly the melting pot of India, and
the main gateway to one of the most fascinating cities in the
world and late night transfer to the International airport in
time to board flight back home
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