Buddhist Pilgrimage Tours

Transcription

1 Pilgrims tour has been tailor made in order to visit the holiest temples and monasteries of Nepal. This tour also includes visiting the birth place of Lord Buddha, Lumbini. Besides visiting the holy temples and monasteries we have added a visit to Pokhara a beautiful town surrounded by the Annapurna range and a peaceful Phewa Lake. This tour also gives you an opportunity to visit Chitwan and explore wildlife in its natural habitat. Duration: 10 days Destination: Nepal Activity: Nepal Tours Itinerary: Day 1: Arrival in Kathmandu and later transfer to the hotel. Day 2: Kathmandu - Sightseeing of Boudha, Pashupati and Swayambhu. Pashupatinath: Just a small walk takes you to the temple of Lord Shiva-Pasupatinath with a two tiered golden roof and silver doors. This structure is famous for its superb Newari architecture, situated near the banks of the sacred Bagmati River. Entrance to the temple precinct is permitted to the Hindus Only, however visitors can clearly see the temple from the eastern bank of the Bagmati River.

2 Pashupati, literally, Lord of the Animals is the patron deity of Nepal and believed to have been unearthed by an obscure herdsman while one of his cattle was showering the earth with milk. Across the sacred river, above the array of decorated monuments, is the Slasmantak or Mrigasthali Ban (forest) where legends has it that Lord Siva dwelled in a form of an antelope to evade the hordes of demigods. Swayambhunath: 2

3 One of the world s most glorious, ancient, enigmatic and the holiest of Buddhist Chaityas, dating back more than 2000 years. Situated on a hillock Swayambhunath, literally the Self-Created or Existent, is a mosaic of small stupas and pagoda temple contributed over time by the succession of kings and noblemen. The main structure of the stupa is made of a solid hemisphere of brick and clay, supporting a lofty conical spire and capped by pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four sides on the base of the spire are the All Seeing Eyes of Lord Buddha. The main features of Swayambhunath in brief are The Five Buddhas. Bouddhanth: This colossal and ancient Stupa, one of Nepal s most unique monuments and said to be the world's biggest, attracts Nepalese pilgrimage of Tibetan stock from as far as Dolpo and Mugu as well as Tibet, Ladhak in India and Bhutan. Baudhanath Stupa, with all seeing eyes of primordial Adi Buddha on all the four sides of the stupa, is 3

4 said to hold the remains of Kasyapa - the Buddha of the previous time.the Stupa is 100 meters in diameter and was built on an octagonal base. Inset into the base are prayer wheels established by the Lichchivi King Mana Deva in the fifth century. The stupa rises to 36 meters above the base including the spire, all seeing eyes and the pinnacle represents the stages of enlightenment, symbol of royalty, compassion, knowing and nirvana. There are many myths about the origins of the stupa. We'll have lunch here after the sightseeing (around 1330hrs). Introducing Pharping About 19km south of Kathmandu, Pharping is a thriving Newari town whose ancient Buddhist pilgrimage sites have been taken over by large numbers of Tibetans. A circuit of its religious sites makes for a compelling day out from Kathmandu. Pharping lies on the 4

5 road to Dakshinkali and it s easy to visit both villages in a day by bus or bicycle. En route you ll pass the pond at Taudaha, alleged Drölma Lhakhang The shrine is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, who identify Saraswati as Tara. It s accessed via a set of steps to the right of Sakya Tharig Gompa. To the right of this chapel is the Rigzu Phodrang Gompa, which contains an impressive frieze of statues, with Guru Rinpoche surrounded by his fearsome incarnations as Dorje Drolo (riding a tiger) and Dorje Phurba (with three faces, Garuda-like wings and a coupling consort). Guru Rinpoche Cave 5

6 Climb the steps behind the Drölma Lhakhang, passing a rocky fissure jammed full of tsha tsha (stupa-shaped clay offerings) and cracks stuffed with little bags of wishes and human hair. Eventually you ll come to the walls of a large white monastery, inside which is a small cave (also known as the Gorakhnath Cave). Take off your shoes and duck between the monastery buildings to reach the soot-darkened cavern, which is illuminated by butter lamps and a Liza Minnelli style row of coloured light bulbs. Day 3: Visit Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square Sightseeing Bhaktapur Durbar Sqaure 6

7 After breakfast we take you to Bhaktapur old Durbar square where you will witness unique culture and finest display of craftsmanship. Bhaktapur is the only place in Nepal which has remained untouched by western culture. Lion Gate, Golden Gate, Art Gallery, Statue of King Bhupatindra, Nyatapola Temple and fifty-five windowed Malla Palace are the living prides of Bhaktapur and you will tour around all these places. Drive you to Patan Durbar Square to explore Patan Durbar Square, Mahaboudha Temple, Kumbeshwor Temple, Krishna Temple, Golden Temple and many other places of Patan, you feel as if Patan has been unveiled before you as an open museum showcasing intricately carved windows, intrinsic roof struts, statues of gods and goddesses, temples designed in pagoda style with erotic carvings and repoussé metalwork facades and many other exquisite facets. You will also get to see handicraft centre in Patan then drive you to Hotel. Day 4: Kathmandu/Pokhara - Transfer to Pokhara from Kathmandu. After breakfast we will drive to Charaudi where we begin our short rafting trip, After getting the safety briefing from our specialized rafters we raft down the Trisuli river for about 3 hrs, Rafting at Trishuli river: 7

8 Then we stop for lunch at the River side hotel.after lunch we continue to drove to Pokhara (the very beautiful picturesque town). Day 5: Pokhara City tour Your sightseeing trip will start at 9 AM in the morning after breakfast. Places we visit are Fewa Lake, Bagnes Lake, Devis water fall, Museum, Tibetan refugee settlement and Gupteshower cave. You will have relaxing afternoon. Overnight at hotel with breakfast included. Day 4: Pokhara to Chitwan Morning sightseeing of Pokhara. Later transfer to Chitwan and jungle activities in the evening. Overnight at Safari Island jungle 8

9 resort Lodge. Morning Pokhara sightseeing covering Devi s fall, Tibetan camp. Mahindra cave, Seti Gorge and Bindevasini Temple Afternoon free for optional boating in Phewa Lake. Then drive to Royal Chitwan National Park. We will reach around 16:00 hrs there and we will be welcomed with warm hospitality. Naturalists at the ghat (river crossing point) will transfer you by canoes across the River to the waiting elephants which will ferry you to your camp, situated in the heart of the Park the home to the great one horned rhinoceros, sloth bear, wild boar, gaur (bison), 4 species of deer, 2 species of monkeys, 2 species of crocodiles, leopard, the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, over 400 species of birds and various other reptiles. Briefing takes place as you arrive and lodges are assigned. Some activities takes place to penetrate deep into the jungle for viewing and photographing wildlife, experience the abundant bird-life, the flora and fauna. Jungle Resort Overnight. Day 5: Chitwan Full day of jungle activities. 9

10 Early morning you will be mounted on elephant back and then taken for a jungle safari for 2-3 hours penetrating through dense ft grasslands. It is the favorite habitat of the rhinoceros and other mammals. After breakfast you will be taken to the elephant stables where talk about the habits of the elephants takes place. Here you may witness the rare scene of the elephants at bath. Take your bathing suit along. In the afternoon you may just relax around the camp or take a dugout canoe ride down the Narayani River to view the Gharial and the marsh mugger crocodiles. Dinner will be served around the campfire at the Resort. Day 6: Chitwan National Park From Pokhara, scenic drive to Chitwan by Car / Coach Depend on the group size and lunch in hotel. After lunch activities- village tour / birds watching tour, evening Tharu culture programs. 10

11 Day 7: Jungle Safari. Full day Jungle wildlife activities; Elephant ride, Jungle walk, canoeing, Bird watch etc and overnight safari lodge. Chitwan full day at jungle activities Day 8: Chitwan Lumbini. 192 km scenic drive to Lumbini from Chitwan and check in hotel. After lunch visit Maya Devi temple and over night hotel. Lumbini is birth place lord Buddha situated at the terrain plains of the southern Nepal. Where Siddhartha Gautam, the Shakya prince and ultimate Buddha enlighten one was born in 623 BC. 11

12 Today the holy site is being developed as the supreme Buddhist pilgrimage and a symbol of world peace. Day 8: Lumbini Kathmandu After Breakfast, drive or flight to Kathmandu. Check in at Kathmandu hotel. Rest of the day free. overnight hotel. Day 9: Free day in Kathmandu or remaining Sightseeing and Overnight hotel Day 10: Transfer to airport departure onward Journey to home 12