Buddhist Pilgrimage to India ON CALL OF BUDDHA

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Gabriella Shields
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1 Buddhist Pilgrimage to India ON CALL OF BUDDHA

2 AGENDA Buddhist Pilgrimage Recalling Lord Buddha s Teachings Tracing Buddha s footprints Buddhist Pilgrimage Destinations Attractions Infrastructure

3 Buddhist Pilgrimage Recalling Lord Buddha s Teachings Before his Mahaparinirvana, the Call of Lord Buddha in Mahaparinibbana Sutta suggests the followers to embark on Buddhist-Pilgrimage in the journey of awakening This journey follows the footprints of Lord Buddha in - Bodhgaya Sarnath Kushinagara Lumbini Site of Enlightenment or Bodha Preaching First Sermon to first five followers or Bodhisattvas Site of Mahaparinirvana Birthplace of Sakyamuni

4 Let s embark on the pilgrimage of life In the Land of Lord Buddha

5 Tracing Buddha s Footprints Bodhgaya Rajgir Nalanda Kesariya Vaishali Kushinagar Sravasti Kapilvastu Sarnath Stupas Lumbini Mayadevi Temple

6 Buddhist Pilgrimage Bodhgaya Bodhgaya in Bihar is the site of Prince Siddhartha s enlightenment. After wandering as a monk for years, he found answers to the problems troubling him in deep meditation and attained enlightenment.

7 Buddhist Pilgrimage Bodhgaya The Great Awakening Temple Mahabodhi Temple, in Bihar is deeply associated with the life of Buddha. Built by Emperor Ashoka in 3 rd Century BC, it is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in brick standing in India. The inscription dated between 1 st and 2 nd century AD mentions that the temple of Ashoka was replaced by a new structure.

8 Buddhist Pilgrimage Bodhgaya Under Bodhi Tree, the sacred Banyan / Peepal tree, Lord Buddha sat in his meditation at Vajrasana, the diamond throne and attained enlightenment. Animesh Lochan Chaitya is the site where Gautama Buddha spent his one week gazing in gratitude towards the Bodhi tree.

9 Buddhist Pilgrimage Bodhgaya Lord Buddha did the meditation tour at Chankramana during third week post enlightenment. On this platform, lotuses indicate the places the Buddha s feet rested while walking. The statue of Buddha amidst the lake meditating on a snake coil at Muchalinda Lake inspires pilgrims to meditate and keep the coil

10 Buddhist Pilgrimage Bodhgaya Pragbodhi Where Prince Practised Austerities Pragbodhi was the site where Siddhartha practiced austerities for six years before descending to Bodh Gaya.

11 Tourist Infrastructure at Bodhgaya Bodhgaya, being the world heritage site is equipped with the infrastructure assisting Buddhist Pilgrimage The city enjoys connectivity from the nearest airport at Gaya in Bihar There are many hotels that accommodate pilgrims during their Buddhist Pilgrimage Hotel Royal Residency Hotel Sujata Hotel Lotus Nikko Hotel Siddhartha International Hotel Niranjana Hotel Bodhgaya Gautam Hotel Galaxy Intercontinental Imperial Hotel Taj Darbar Sambodhi Retreat

12 Hotels of Bodhgaya at a Glance

13 Buddhist Pilgrimage Sarnath Sarnath, near Varanasi is the deer park where Lord Buddha first taught dharma to his first five followers after enlightenment. He initiated Sangha and turned the Wheel of Law at Deer Park or Issipattna Teachings of Middle Path and Eightfold Path deserve mention when importance of Sarnath is concerned.

14 Buddhist Pilgrimage Sarnath Stupas of Sarnath Chaukhandi Stupa commemorates the spot where Buddha met his first disciples. The massive Dhamekh Stupa symbolizes the place where Lord Buddha delivered his first teachings in the form of four noble truths.

15 Buddhist Pilgrimage Sarnath Ashokan Pillar - Lion Capital at Sarnath Museum Ashokan Pillar at Sarnath is one of the most celebrated icons of India. It consists of a canopy representing an inverted bell-shaped lotus flower with Lion Capital facing four directions. Did you know that National Emblem of India featuring four lions is inspired by the same Lion Capital of Ashokan Pillar.

16 Excursions of Sarnath Varanasi Varanasi As old as time Located close to Sarnath is Varanasi, one of the oldest continuing spiritual cities of India. Situated on the eastern banks of River Ganges, this city is famous for its rich culture and spiritual traditions. Boat-ride on River Ganges and Evening Aarti at Dashashwamedha Ghat is a must do activity post Sarnath Tour.

17 Tourist infrastructure at Sarnath Sarnath, one of the important Buddhist Pilgrimage sites, is equipped with adequate infrastructure to support pilgrims This Buddhist site is well connected by the nearest airport in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Pilgrims can stay in the luxurious hotels of Varanasi and experience the serenity of Sarnath during the day Some renowned hotels preferred by Pilgrims during the stay at Varanasi are Radisson Hotel Ramada Plaza JHV The Gateway Hotel Ganges Hotel Clarks Hotel Hindustan International (HHI) Hotel Rivatas By Ideal

18 Hotels of Varanasi at a Glance

19 Buddhist Pilgrimage Kushinagar Site of Mahaparinirvana Kushinagar is the site of Lord Buddha s Mahaparinirvana, the final exit from this earth on the full moon night The then capital of the Mallas, Kushinagar also witnessed the last teaching of Buddha, Mahaparinibbana Sutta.

20 Buddhist Pilgrimage Kushinagar Temple of Reclining Buddha Mahaparinirvana Temple This famous Temple houses a statue of Buddha reclining on his right side, representing his Mahaparinirvana. This Chunar sandstone statue belongs to the fifth century, according to inscriptions.

21 Buddhist Pilgrimage Kushinagar Stupas of Kushinagar Ramabhar Stupa This 50 ft large stupa is famous as the cremation site of Lord Buddha. Nirvana Stupa Nirvana Stupa in Kushinagar is a huge brickwork stupa enshrining the Lord Buddha remains, right next to Mahaparinirvana Temple. This bell-shaped stupa symbolizes the Buddha's complete absorption into the highest state of mind.

22 Tourist Infrastructure Kushinagar Kushinagar is easily accessible for pilgrims by road and rail. The nearest airport to Kushinagar is in Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh (52 km) There are a number of hotels, dharamshalas and monasteries that accommodate pilgrims in Kushinagar. Some renowned accommodation options in Kushinagar are - The Royal Residency Lotus Nikko The Imperial Pathik Niwas (Government owned accommodation)

23 Hotels of Kushinagar at a Glance

24 Buddhist Pilgrimage Lumbini Where Buddha was Born 2500 years ago, the village of Lumbini in Nepal witnessed the divine birth of Lord Buddha under the grove of Sal tree. Keeping in mind its glorious heritage and contribution to the Buddhist beliefs, Lumbini is a world heritage site.

25 Mayadevi Temple, Lumbini Maya Devi Temple was built over the foundations of more than one earlier temple or Ashokan stupa. In 1996, an archaeological dig unearthed a 'flawless stone' placed there by Ashoka in 249 BC to mark the precise location of the Buddha's birth more than 2,600 years ago. This excavation has brought Lumbini more prominently on the map for millions of religious pilgrims.

26 Buddhist Pilgrimage Lumbini Mayadevi Pond or Pushkarni is the site where Queen Mayadevi, mother of Prince Siddhartha took bath before delivery. Ashokan Pillar in Lumbini is one of the inscribed evidences testifying the fact that the village was the birthplace of Lord Buddha.

27 Buddhist Pilgrimage Rajgir The Royal Abode Lord Buddha visited Rajgriha, during the times of Bimbisara and Ajatshatru. After Buddha s Parinirvana, Rajgir was chosen for the first Buddhist Council. Griddhakuta The rock cut caves of Griddhakuta were sanctified by the Lord Buddha s presence. The hills were one of the favourite meditation sites of the master. Opposite to this Bimbisara Jail, is another landmark where the jailed king used to observe Buddha in meditation.

28 Buddhist Pilgrimage Rajgir Site of First Buddhist Council Saptaparni Cave in Rajgir is the site where the first Buddhist council was held immediately after Buddha attained Nirvana.

29 Buddhist Pilgrimage Rajgir Peace for the World Vishwa Shanti Stupa is a marble structure bearing golden image of the Buddha. This was recently built by the Napponzan Myohoji sect of Japan, The 38 metre high Vishwa Shanti Stupa is the 22nd in the chain of shrines built to propagate world peace.

30 Hotels of Rajgir The Royal Abode

31 Buddhist Pilgrimage Nalanda Ancient University of Learning Nalanda was one of the first great centers of learning in as the world s first residential university. Around 2,000 teachers and 10,000 Buddhist monk students lived and studied here. Buddha himself visited the university many times.

32 Buddhist Pilgrimage Kesariya World s Largest Buddhist Stupa Kesariya is the site where the largest Buddhist Stupa of the world rests in peace. Here, Lord Buddha stayed once and preached the Sutta on Kalamas of Kesaputta, dedicated to natives of Kesariya.

33 Buddhist Pilgrimage Vaishali Site of Second Buddhist Council Vaishali, one of the favourite resorts of Lord Buddha was the site of the announcement of his Parinirvana. Lord Buddha received a bowl of honey from monkeys. Notable Buddhist sites in Vaishali include Stupa of Buddha s ashes built by Lichchvis, Ananda Stupa, the famous lion pillar by Emperor Ashoka.

34 Buddhist Pilgrimage Sravasti Monastic shelter of Lord Buddha Sravasti was one of the prominent cities in India during Buddha s time. Jetavana in Sravasti was the famous monastery where Buddha gave majority of his discourses and spent 20 rainy seasons. Ruins of Sahet and Mahet are primarily visited for their religious importance

35 Hotels of Sravasti

36 Buddhist Pilgrimage Kapilvastu Kingdom of Shakyas Kapilvastu was the Sakya Kingdom, whose king was Sudhodhana, Prince Siddhartha s Father. Lord Buddha spent his first 29 years living in royal indulgence.

37 Buddhist Pilgrimage Attend the call of Lord Buddha This spiritual call of Buddha invites the followers from the world over visit Buddhist-Pilgrimage and walk on the path to enlightenment, just like him.

A Prime Buddhist Pilgrimage Experience Buddhist-Pilgrimage, a division of Top Travels and Tours is a special venture exploring the footprints of Lord Buddha in India

38 A Prime Buddhist Pilgrimage Experience Buddhist-Pilgrimage, a division of Top Travels and Tours is a special venture exploring the footprints of Lord Buddha in India and Nepal. With an experience of 27 years, the company is committed to provide pilgrims a serene experience in the blissful land of Buddha India. For more information visit

39 Thank You

BUDDHIST TOUR 7 DAYS. Day 01 : Mumbai Varanasi

BUDDHIST TOUR 7 DAYS. Day 01 : Mumbai Varanasi Info@gayatobodhgaya.com BUDDHIST TOUR 7 DAYS Day 01 : Mumbai Varanasi Flight On arrival at Varanasi Airport you will be met and assisted by our company executive and transferred to your hotel for check