Whispers of the Dharma

Arrival: Welcome on arrival at Gaya Airport, where a Magadh Tours executive will greet you with a traditional garland.

Transfer: After meet-and-assist services, you will be transferred to your hotel for check-in.

In the Evening: Proceed to visit MahaBodhi Temple - UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The MahaBodhi Temple marks the sacred spot where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. 

Overnight Stay: Back to hotel & overnight stay at the hotel in Bodhgaya.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to visit: 

• Dungeshwari Cave- The place where Lord Buddha spent severe 6 years before getting enlightenment at Bodhgaya.
• Sujata Village - Sujata Village is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site located just across the Niranjana River from Bodhgaya. It is named after Sujata, a local village girl who offered sweet rice (kheer) to Siddhartha Gautama before he attained enlightenment.
• Niranjana River- Niranjana River (also known as Phalgu River) flows near Bodhgaya and holds great spiritual significance in Buddhism. It was on the banks of this river that Prince Siddhartha Gautama practiced severe asceticism for years during his search for truth.
• Various International monasteries- Various International Monasteries surround the MahaBodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, built by different Buddhist countries such as Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Tibet, Vietnam, Myanmar, China, and others.

Overnight Stay: Back to hotel & overnight stay at the hotel in Bodhgaya.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Drive towards Rajgir (site of great Sanctity and significance for Buddhists) and it around (75 kms / 2 hours).

On arrival proceed to visit:

• Gridhkutta Hill - Gridhkutta Hill (also known as Vulture’s Peak) is a sacred Buddhist site located in Rajgir, Bihar. It was one of Lord Buddha’s favorite places for meditation and teaching.
• Bimbisar jail - Bimbisara Jail is a historical site in Rajgir, believed to be the place where King Bimbisara, a great follower of Lord Buddha, was imprisoned by his own son, Ajatashatru.
• Ajatashatru's Fort - Ajatashatru’s Fort in Rajgir was built by King Ajatashatru around the 6th century BCE. It is one of the oldest forts in India, known for its strong stone walls and strategic design.
• Venuvanaram: The first monastery gifted to Lord Buddha by King Bimbisara of Magadha. The park, a bamboo grove, provided a peaceful place for Buddha and his disciples to reside and preach.

Excursion to Nalanda (15 Kms / 20 Min / per way) . 

• Visit Nalanda University - was one of the oldest Universities of the World & International Centre for Buddhist Studies., Nalanda was one of the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world University established in 5th century BC.

Drive towards Vaishali transfer to hotel and overnight stay in Vaishali.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Procced to visit: 

• Ashokan Pillar - Yes, there is a famous Ashokan Pillar in Vaishali. It’s an important historical monument erected by Emperor Ashoka to mark significant Buddhist events.
• Buddha Samyak Darshan Museum and Memorial Stupa -Vaishali does have stupas, including relic stupas believed to contain remains of Lord Buddha or his disciples. Vaishali is a great Buddhist pilgrimage and also the birthplace of Lord Mahavira. It is said that the Buddha visited this place thrice and spent quite a long time here. The Buddha also delivered his last sermon at Vaishali and announced his Nirvana here.

Then drive towards Kushinagar (5 hrs / 220 kms) from Vaishali. 

On arrival transfer to hotel O/N stay in Kushinagar. 

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to visit: 

• Mahaparinirvana Temple- Mahaparinirvana Temple in Kushinagar is the sacred site where Lord Buddha attained final Nirvana, featuring a serene reclining statue symbolizing his peaceful passing.
• Rambhar Stupa- also known as Mukut¬bandhan Chaitya, is a sacred brick monument in Kushinagar believed to be the exact spot where Lord Buddha was cremated after attaining Mahaparinirvana, built by the Malla clan over his ashes and later excavated in the early 20th century
• Japan Temple- also known as the Indosan Nipponji Temple, is a serene Buddhist temple in Bodhgaya built by the Japanese, featuring traditional Japanese architecture and a peaceful environment for meditation and prayer.

After drive towards Lumbini (4.5 hrs / 145 kms.) on arrival transfer to hotel and overninght stay at hotel.

• Kindly obtain double entry visa for India & single entry visa for Nepal

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to visit: 

• 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.

Drive towards Sravasti Enroute Visit Kapilvastu

• The Kingdom of King Suddhodana, Father of Lord Buddha.
• The ruins of Tilaurakot & nearby stupas. - Tilaurakot is believed to be the ancient capital of the Shakya Kingdom, ruled by King Suddhodana, the father of Lord Buddha.

After drive towards Sravasti (150 kms / 3 hrs.)

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Proceed to visit.

• Jetvanaram Monastery - is one of the most important Buddhist sites where Lord Buddha spent 25 rainy seasons.
• Ananda Bodhi Tree - is a sacred fig tree planted by the Buddha’s disciple Anathapindika to offer a place for devotees to worship when the Buddha was away
• Saheth and Maheth are the ancient sites in Shravasti where Lord Buddha spent many rainy seasons teaching, with Saheth housing the Jetavana Monastery and Maheth containing the ruins of the old city and important stupas.

After drive towards Lucknow (154 kms / 3 hrs.)  

On arrival transfer to hotel and O/N stay in hotel Lucknow.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel. Drive towards Varanasi (5 hrs / 315 kms) 

On arrival transfer to hotel. In the Evening: 

• Ganga Aarti - Ganga Aarti is a beautiful and spiritual ritual performed on the banks of the River Ganga, especially in cities like Varanasi, Haridwar, and Rishikesh. It involves priests dressed in traditional attire offering prayers to the river using lit oil lamps (diyas), incense, flowers, and chanting of mantras.

Transfer to hotel and overninght stay in Varanasi.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Early morning boat ride in early river Ganga - An early morning boat ride on the Ganga River, especially in Varanasi, is a peaceful and spiritual experience. As the sun rises, the river glows with golden light, and the ghats come alive with priests, pilgrims, and daily rituals. Hotel: Then transfer to hotel for breakfast.

After excursion to Sarnath. Visit: 

• Dhamekha Stupa – A massive and sacred monument marking the spot where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after enlightenment. 
• Mulagandha Kuti Vihar – The Vihara enshrined with the sacred relics of Sakyamuni Buddha. 
• Ashokan Pillar – Marked the site of Buddha’s first sermon. It is famed for its Lion Capital, now the national emblem of India.
• Deer Park - A sacred site where Gautama Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment, marking the beginning of the Buddhist Sangha.
• Sarnath Museum - The Buddhist artifacts excavated from Sarnath, kept here.

In evening explore the local market and free for shopping. 

Transfer to hotel and overninght stay in Varanasi. 

Hotel: Then transfer to hotel for breakfast. After drive towards Bodhgaya (5.3 hrs / 255 kms) from Varanasi. 

On arrival transfer to hotel and take rest. After proceed to visit: 

• Sujata Village - Sujata Village is a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site located just across the Niranjana River from Bodhgaya. It is named after Sujata, a local village girl who offered sweet rice (kheer) to Siddhartha Gautama before he attained enlightenment.
• Niranjana River- Niranjana River (also known as Phalgu River) flows near Bodhgaya and holds great spiritual significance in Buddhism. It was on the banks of this river that Prince Siddhartha Gautama practiced severe asceticism for years during his search for truth.
• Various International monasteries- Various International Monasteries surround the MahaBodhi Temple in Bodhgaya, built by different Buddhist countries such as Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Tibet, Vietnam, Myanmar, China, and others.

Overnight Stay: Back to hotel & O/N stay at the hotel in Bodhgaya.

Breakfast: Start the day with breakfast at the hotel.

Departure: Transfer to the airport to catch the flight for your onward destination.