Spirituality and Buddhism In India

Post breakfast proceed for sightseeing tour of Capital city Delhi. Start with Raj Ghat  - Mahatma Ghandi's moving cremation site, Qutub Minar the oldest Muslim monument in India and nearby Baha'i Lotus Temple with its faiths tenets of the oneness of God the oneness of religions and the oneness of mankind.  Evening Akshardham Temple visit for Sound & Light show (Optional). 

Overnight at hotel in Delhi.

Post breakfast check out from hotel and transfer to railway station to board the train to Amritsar (Amritsar Shatabdi).  On arrival meet at railway station and proceed to hotel, complete the check in formalities. 

Overnight at hotel in Amritsar.

Post breakfast enjoy city tour visit the spectacular Sikh Golden Temple the holiest shrine of Sikhism and learn about every Sikh's goal to build a close loving relationship with God.  No visit other places as Jallianwala Bagh where General Dyer massacred unarmed Indians in 1919.  Explore locar bazaar.   In the evening you  will visit the Wagha boarder.   Now board train to Mathura.

Overnight on board.

On arrival meet at railway station and proceed to hotel for check in.  Mathura is a holy city for Hinduism, it is birthplace of Lord Krishna and one of the 7 most sacred pilgrimage cities for Hindus. In the afternoon explore the temples in Mathura and its twin city  Vrindaban where Lord Krishna spend his childhood.  Transfer back to hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Mathura.

Post breakfast  you will  visit the villages of Gokul, where Lord Krishna was brought up in secret by his foster Mother Yashoda and Goverdhan another important pilgrimage centre.  Explore other local surroundings.  Return back to hotel by evening.

Overnight at hotel in Mathura.

Post breakfast proceed to Bharatpur (1 hour approx.).  On arrival check in at hotel.  Today you will be visiting the bird sanctuary of Bharatpur.  Over 300 species of birds live in the small sanctuary which was developed by the local Royal family originally as a hunting reserve.   

Overnight at hotel in Bharatpur.

Post breakfast check out from hotel and proceed to next destination Agra by drive (1 hour approx.), which is known as city of Mughals.  On arrival check in at hotel.  Afternoon free at leisure or explore local bazaar.

Overnight at hotel in Agra.

Post breakfast leave from hotel & take city tour visit Agra Fort built by successive Mughal Emperors to emphasise his wealth and might, Taj Mahal the beautiful Mausoleum covered in a soft pink hue as the sun's rays caress the stone, also visit  Itmad Ud Daulah’s Tomb a master piece in marble stone carving.  On time transfer to railway station to board the train to Varanasi

Overnight on board.

On arrival meet at Railway station and transfer to hotel.   Varanasi  - A  major religious hub in India  and the holiest of the seven sacred cities in Hinduism and Jainism. It is  also known as Benares or Banaras and Kashi, located at Northern state of India.  It is closely associated the holy river Ganges which makes it one of the main cultural centres of North India. The city is popular for its ghats , temples & other worthseeing places.  Afternoon take excursion trip to Sarnath where the Lord Buddha preached his first discourse and see the Stupas, ancient, Modern Temples and Ashoka Pillar.

Overnight at hotel in Varanasi.

Early morning enjoy a boat ride at River Ganges . As the dawn mists rise on the Holy River Ganges, glide silently on a boat to see the devout come to bathe and pray.  Transfer back to hotel for breakfast.  Afternoon proceed for city tour.  Visit BHU (banaras Hindu University)  is the largest residential university of Asia, with 124 departments, Durga Temple or Monkey Temple, Bharat Mata Mandir, Kashi Vishwanath Temple - the temple was destroyed multiple times by Mughal invaders and was re-constructed by Hindu kings who followed them, now pay a visit to the Ghats, it  is a series of steps leading down to the river used by bathers and pilgrims. Dasaswamedh Ghat is the main Ghat. In the evening witness Ganges arti and enjoy Rikshaw ride.  Return back to the hotel.

Overnight at hotel in Varanasi.

Post breakfast check out from hotel & proceed to Bodhgaya.  On arrival check in at hotel.  Evening free at leisure.  Bodhgaya -  it is  a popula religious site and place of pilgrimage. For Buddhist it is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites as related to life of Gautama Buddha, it is said he obtained enlightenment over here.  Bodhgaya is located by the bank of River Neranjana which is also known as uruwela where first temple was built by King Ashoka.

Overnight at hotel in Bodhgaya.

Post breakfast explore the Bodhgaya temple. It is one of the most holy of places where the Lord Buddha obtained Enlightenment. Today you will visit the magnificent Mahabodhi Temple and see the wonderful sculpture of Lord Buddha, in the exact place where he got enlightenment with his back to the Bodhi tree.

Overnight at hotel in Bodhgaya.

Post breakfast free at leisure . Spend time in personal meditation and reflexion.   On time transfer to railway station to board the train to Delhi. 

Overnight on board.

On arrival meet at railway station. Transfer to airport to board the flight for onwards destination.