Traveling to the Pilgrimage Places in India

All the pilgrimage places described in this book are located in the Northern Indian states of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, except Lumbini, which is in Nepal. In ancient times, this area was called Puratthima (Eastern Tract) but today it is known as the Buddhist Circuit. The majority of the Buddhist shrines are in remote places where taxi service and public transport are poor, making it diffi­cult to get there unless one travels in a group by chartered bus. The capacity of the tour bus is normally 35 seats and air-conditioning is provided at extra cost. The suggested group size is around 25 persons, so that it is not too crowded. For a smaller group, an 18-seater air-conditioned coach is also available.

For the first-time pilgrim, traveling in a group is the best way to visit the Eight Great Places for several reasons. First is the conven­ience, since all the traveling arrangements and itinerary would have been made by someone who has experience in the pilgrim­age. Secondly, group travel provides safety, especially for female pilgrims. Lastly, and probably most important is the spirit of Buddhist fellowship among pilgrims traveling together, especial­ly in the company of a venerable monk to act as a spiritual advisor, making the journey more pleasant and meaningful. A minor dis­advantage of a group tour is that the itinerary is less flexible.

The best time to travel in Northern India is during autumn/winter, from November to February when the weather is pleas­ant. From March to June, the weather is hot and dusty while from July to October, the rainy season sets in. By the end of October the weather turns dry and cool, the countryside is full of greenery and traveling in Northern India is pleasant because of the general cleanliness of the land after the rains.

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