The
Indian sub-continent has been the birth place of several religions, but the
only one to take a real hold in the Western world is Buddhism.Founded about 500 BC by Prince Siddhartha Gautama, when under the Bo tree at Bodh Gaya he became the "enlightened one" - the Buddha, his philosophy swept both India and Nepal and the surrounding countries, and later, the West.
This fascinating tour will take you from Delhi, to Agra, through the pilgrimage trails of northern India and into the mountain kingdom of Nepal, tracing the path taken by Gautama Buddha during his search for the ultimate truth.
Following two days acclimatizing and orientation in Delhi, you will visit Agra, the home of the majestic and beautiful Taj Mahal, Red Fort and Itmad-ud-Daulah tomb, then on to the fabled deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri. Begun by the Mughal emperor Akbar in 1571, the city was suddenly abandoned after being occupied for only 14 years.
The city famous for its riverside "ghats", or bathing places, Benares (now called Varanasi), is an image familiar to anyone interested in India, with its high temples and shrines lining the banks of the holy river Ganges, on which you will take an early morning boat excursion to watch the Hindu faithful during their morning prayers. On to Sarnath, where the Buddha preached his first sermon, to visit the ruins of monasteries built more than 2,000 years ago and the Dhumak Stupa, built around relics of the Buddha to commemorate his sermon in the Deer Park.
Travelling overland, you will reach Bodhgaya, where 20 meter high Maha Dhobi temple marks the place where the Buddha attained enlightenment under the shade of the Bodhi tree. Here sites a huge image of the Buddha. In the evening, if you wish, you may participate in the evening prayers.
En route to Patna, you will visit Nalanda, the, ruins of the, famous Buddhist University, founded by the emperor Ashoka, once the home of more than 10,000 students and 1,500 professors. At Rajgir, the first Buddhist council sat, following the death of the Buddha. Here also, time permitting, you can visit the Japanese built mountain top temple and the ancient ruins of Rajgriha. The city's surrounding hills are topped by temples built by the members of the Jain religion. There may even be time for you to dip your toes into the hot springs for which this area is famous.
It is at Kushinagar that the Buddha is reputed to have spoken his last words, "Decay is inherent in all things" and then expired. In the afternoon you will visit the site of his cremation and also the Mahaparinirvana temple, containing a massive reclining Buddha figure. Originally 13 stupas were constructed here, but now only the ruins of six remain.
Continuing the road journey from Balrampur, we next visit Sarasvati, where the Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons preaching his message.
Our
overland journey brings us to the Buddha's place of birth, 2,500 years ago -
Lumbini. We will stay here for one night to allow you to explore at your
leisure, then traveling on over the border and into Nepal and it's capital
city, Kathmandu, where we will arrive late in the evening.The city and valley of Kathmandu is littered with evidence of the religion which predominates here - Buddhism, tinted with Tibetan Trantric influences and Hinduism. During your time here you will visit Bodhnath, Bhadgaon and Pashupatinath. And, of course, no visit to Kathmandu would be complete without a visit to the "allseeing" temple of Swayambhunath, sitting on top of a wooded hill (now a nature park). The walk up the hill will reward you with sights of the many small monkeys who live here scavenging for food, left by Hindu and Buddhist pilgrims, from the multitude of Shrines on the hill slopes. Reaching the summit temple, with it's multicoloured Tibetan prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, is an experience never to be forgotten.
Please Note -
(1) local conditions may dictate that this tour is done in reverse order.
(2) Visas for both India and Nepal are required and are best obtained before your departure)