Spiritual Tour of Bodhgaya and Varanasi (5 Days)

Spiritual Tour of Bodhgaya and Varanasi (5 Days)

This private tour will begin with pickup from Patna airport and will end with drop off at Varanasi airport. Explore the Buddhist sites of Nalanda, Rajgir and Bodhgaya where Buddha achieved enlightenment while sitting under a bodhi tree. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here he delivered his first sermon and set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. Varanasi the spiritual capital of India, and one of the oldest cities on earth, where you can see bathing and cremations by the sacred River Ganges.

Itinerary

Day 1: Patna - Nalanda – Rajgir – Bodhgaya (175kms/ 4hrs approx.)

Stop At: Nalanda University Ruins, Nalanda 803101 India
Nalanda a hot seat of knowledge and learning established in the 5th century. The highly formalized methods of Jain and Buddhist learning helped inspire the establishment of large teaching institutions such as Nalanda, and Vikramashila which are often characterized as India's early universities. Nalanda flourished under the patronage of the Gupta Empire in the 5th and 6th centuries and later under Harsha, the emperor of Kannauj. The liberal cultural traditions inherited from the Gupta age resulted in a period of growth and prosperity until the ninth century. The subsequent centuries were a time of gradual decline, a period during which the tantric developments of Buddhism became most pronounced in eastern India under the Pala Empire.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Rajgir, India
"Rajgir is an ancient city surrounded by hills, known for its holy sites. Remains of the Cyclopean Wall, which encircled the city centuries ago, still stand in the center. Close by, Venu Vana park was once home to a monastery built for Buddha. The shield-shaped Japanese Temple contains a huge Buddha statue. Nearby there are hot springs believed to have medicinal properties.

Lord Mahavira, 24th Tirthankara spent fourteen years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda, spending Chaturmas (i.e. 4 months of the rainy season) at a single place in Rajgir (Rajgruhi) and the rest in the places in the vicinity. It was the capital of one of his Shravaks(follower) King Shrenik. Thus Rajgir is a very important religious place for Jains. The twentieth Jain tirthankara, Munisuvrata is supposed to have been born here. An ancient temple(about 1200 years old) dedicated to Munisuvrat bhagwan is also present here along with many other Jain temples. This temple is also a place for four Kalyanakas of Bhagwan Munisuvratnath."
Duration: 2 hours

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 2: Bodhgaya

Stop At: Mahabodhi Temple, Bihar 824231, Bodh Gaya 824231 India
Mahabodhi Temple an UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 54mts tall temple has been renovated over the years. It enshrines a large golden Buddha, and is encompassed by an ancient railing, dating back to 100 BC. Bodhi Tree: where Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment, and the Vajrasana or throne, where Buddha sat. Tibetan Monastery, housing the Maitreya Buddha (future Buddha). Also see the Burmese Temple, Chinese Temple and Monastery, Buddhist Monastery of Bhutan, Thai Temple and Monastery, and many more. Rest time to relax, evening attend temple aarti.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 3: Bodhgaya – Varanasi (250kms/ 5hrs approx.)

Stop At: Dasaswamedh Ghat Road Bangali Tola, Varanasi 221001 India
Breakfast at hotel, drive to Varanasi check in at hotel. Evening walking tour of Ghats’s temples & mosque on ghats. Also attend Holy Ganga Aarti in evening, a magical aarti is performed at Dasashwamedh Ghat. Halt your boat right at the steps for the best view.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.

Day 4: Varanasi

Stop At: Dasaswamedh Ghat Road Bangali Tola, Varanasi 221001 India
Early morning boat ride and Ghat visit along the Ganges and catch the scene of devotees bathing and praying in the sacred water.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005 India
Banaras Hindu University, formerly Central Hindu College, is a public central university located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. It was established in 1916 by Madan Mohan Malaviya and Annie Besant. With over 30,000 students residing in campus, it claims the title of largest residential university in Asia.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Ramnagar Fort, Kila Road Ramnagar Crossing, Varanasi 221008 India
This crumbling 17th-century fort and palace, on the eastern bank of the Ganges, isn't worth coming out to if you only have a few days in Varanasi, but it is a beautiful place to watch the sun set over the river. It also houses an eccentric museum. There are vintage American cars, jewel-encrusted sedan chairs, a superb weaponry section and an extremely unusual astrological clock.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Sarnath Via-Anlabereni, Varanasi 759026 India
Sarnath about 10 km from the holy city of Varanasi is the place where Buddha chose to deliver his first sermon. The celebrated Mantra, Buddham Sharanam Gachhami, owes its origin to Sarnath. It makes Sarnath one of the most venerated Buddhist places. Besides Buddhism, Sarnath is also connected with Jainism.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Varanasi 221001 India
There are temples at almost every turn in Varanasi, but this is the most famous of the lot. It is dedicated to Vishveswara Shiva as lord of the universe. The current temple was built in 1776 by Ahalya Bai of Indore; the 800kg of gold plating on the tower and dome was supplied by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Lahore 50 years later. (non-Hindus are not allowed to enter inside the main temple sanctum)
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Overnight at hotel.