Footsteps Of Buddha The Mahabodhi Temple Rajgir is town situated in East of India where the air that surrounds its beautiful sceneries carries hints of spirituality and vibrant hues of history with links with both Buddhism and Jainism. Bodh Gaya is the very place that houses the Mahabodhi tree, under which Gautam Buddha meditated and attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi temple built near the Mahabodhi tree is highly revered and it is an enriching experience to visit the temple. Day 01 Arrive / Aurangabad Morning arrive at Aurangabad airport, upon arrival you will be met by our representative and transfer to hotel to leave your luggage. Later proceed to visit the The Ellora caves (closed on Tuesdays), 34 in number, are carved into the sides of a basaltic hill, 30 kms from Aurangabad. The finest specimens of cave - temple architecture, they house elaborate facades and exquisitely adorned interiors. These structures representing the three faiths of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, were carved during the 350 AD to 700 AD period. The 12 caves to the south are Buddhist, the 17 in the center dedicated to Hinduism, and the 5 caves to the north are Jain. The sculptures in the Buddhist caves accurately convey the nobility, grace and serenity inherent in the Buddha. Caves 6 and 10 house images from the Buddhist and Hindu faith, under the same roof, the latter dedicated to Vishwakarma, the patron saint of Indian craftsmen. The Vishvakarma cave is both a Chaitya and a Vihara, with a seated Buddha placed in the stupa. It s two - storeyed structure sports a colourful pageant of dwarfs, dancing and making music. These caves & shrines are memorable for their invaluable contribution to the enormous wealth of Indian heritage Day 02 Aurangabad / Mumbai
Following breakfast starts your journey to visit the Ajanta Caves (closed on Mondays) (110 Km / 03 hours one way). It was only in the 19th century, that the Ajanta group of caves, lying deep within the Sahyadri hills, cut into the curved mountain side, above the Waghora river, were discovered. A group of British officers on a tiger hunt, stumbled on these ancient works of art. They depict the story of Buddhism, spanning the period from 200 BC to 650 AD. The 29 caves were built as secluded retreats of the Buddhist monks, who taught and performed rituals in the Chaityas and Viharas, the ancient seats of learning, and nerve - centers of the Buddhist cultural movement. Using simple tools like hammer and chisel, the monks carved out the impressive figures adorning the walls of these structures. Exquisite wall - paintings and sculptures speak volumes of the India of yore. Many of the caves house panels depicting stories from the Jatakas, a rich mine of tales of the several incarnations of the Buddha. Images of nymphs and princesses amongst others are also elaborately portrayed. In the evening return to hotel in Aurangabad. Day 03 Mumbai / Patna Following breakfast, transfer to airport to board flight for Patna. Remain in transit and connect onward flight for Patna. Upon arrival you will be met by our representative who will transfer you to Hotel. Check in at hotel on arrival Day 04 Patna / Nalanda / Rajgir / Bodhgaya After early breakfast you will be driven to Bodhgaya (130 Km / approx 07 hours included visits), en-route visit Rajgir. Rajgir: It was the capital of the Magadha empire until Ajatasatru moved to Pataliputra (Patna) in the 5th century BC. Rajgir is an
important Buddhist pilgrimage site since Buddha spent 12 years here and the first Buddhist council after Buddha attained nirvana was held here. It is also an important place for Jains, as Mahavira spend some time in Rajgir and the hills are topped with Digambara shrines. Nalanda, Founded in the 5th century BC, Nalanda was one of the world s great universities and an important Buddhist centre until it s sacking by the Afghans in the 12th century. When Chinese scholar and traveller Xuan Zhang visited between 685 and 762 AD 10,000 monks and students resided here. The extensive brick-built remains include few intact votive stupas around it, and the monks cells. An Archeological Museum [open from 10:00-17:00 hrs] houses the Nalanda University seal, sculptures and other remains found on the site. Continue driving to Bodhgaya, upon arrival check-in at the hotel Day 05 Bodhgaya Following breakfast visit Mahabodhi Temple to offer prayers. This temple is an architectural amalgamation of many centuries and cultures architectures of the Gupta and later ages, inscriptions describing visits of pilgrims from Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and China are some example. The highlights of the temple include tall stone lotuses, figures of Buddha sitting in different postures on the walls, his footprints on stone, and a clossal golden Buddha in the sanctum sanctorum. The Bodhi Tree, situated inside the temple premises, under which Buddha attained illumination. White, green and red flags, tied onto the tree, form a canopy over seven sacred shrines, which symbolize the seven weeks that Buddha spent here. Continue sightseeing visiting Shaivite Monastery, near the Mahabodhi Temple. Four temples dominate a huge courtyard full of shrubs and samadhis represented by stones shaped like upturned urns. Cells, which served as living quarters of the monks, can also be seen. The Buddha Archaeological Museum (open 10:00-17:00 hrs and closed on Fridays), near the temple, houses a rare collection of Buddhist sculptures from the 01st century BC to 11th century AD. The Jagannath Temple, near the Mahabodhi Temple, is a Shiva Temple housing a four-armed statue of the deity believed to have healing powers. Evening free to participate in the prayers at Mahabodhi Temple
Day 06 Bodhgaya / Varanasi Morning after breakfast drive to Varansi (245 Km / 06 hours) and check-in at hotel on arrival. Rest of the day free to relax. Day 07 Varanasi Very early in the morning you will take a boat ride along the bathing ghats on the Holy River Ganges. At sunrise the Hindu faithful flock to the river to cleanse themselves of their sins. You see the cremation ghats and the Deswameedha ghats. To die in Varanasi is to end the Hindu cycle of rebirth, thereby making it a popular place to end one's life. After sunrise you will visit some of the temples in the surrounding area. Return to the hotel for breakfast. After breakfast enjoy city tour of Varanasi, including a visit to Vishwanath Temple, the Benaras Hindu University and the Bharat Mata Temple. Vishwanath Temple Dedicated to Lord Shiva; this temple is the most sacred shrine in Varanasi. The original temple was destroyed by the Mughal Emperor, Aurangzeb which was later restored by Rani Ahilyabai of Indore in the 18th century. The Gold plating of the dome was done during the 19th century by Maharaja Ranjit Singh of Punjab. Foreigner s entry inside the temple is restricted. Banaras Hindu University was founded by Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya it is considered to be the largest residential university in Asia. Within the university campus, Vishwanath Temple and Bharat Kala Kendra (Museum) are well worth a visit. Afternoon proceed to visit the Sarnath is a major Buddhist centre where after achieving enlightenment at Bodhgaya, Buddha, the 'Awakened One', delivered his first sermon here. It was sixth century then, when he also set in motion the wheel of law, the Dharmachakra. This dwelling place of the Rishis, it was also known as 'Rishipatana' (the place of the Rishis or sages). Buddha gave his first
sermon in the Deer Park where he initiated his first five disciples into Buddhist monkshood. Buddhism found its roots in Sarnath, the birthplace of this way of life. In the evening you will be taken to the Ghats to see the illuminated Ganga Aarti ceremony. The Ganga Aarti is a spectacular sight. As the sun begins to set, plating the river with gold, bells and gongs ring and chants fill the air. Rows of religious celebrants hold plates of flaming ghee, moving them in a circular salutation to the Goddess of the River Offerings of lamps and flowers are made to the river immediately following this ceremony and it is a moving sight to watch hundreds of miniature lamps float along the river Return to your hotel after sightseeing tour. Day 08 Varanasi / Departure Following breakfast, morning is at leisure. Later transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. **** End of Tour ****