On Buddha's Trail PILGRIMAGE
Buddhsist Fellowship: 5-Precepts India Pilgrimage
29 November - 9 December 2003

DAY 01 29TH NOV. SINGAPORE-GAYA- BODHGAYA (D)
Met upon arrival and after assistance at the airport, transfer to your hotel at Bodhgaya, 10 Kms. Arrive in Bodhgaya and check-in at your Hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

DAY 02 30TH NOV. BODHGAYA (B/F,L,D)
Visit of Mahabodhi temple.  It was in Bodhgaya under the Bodhi tree that Gautam, the  prince,  attained  enlightenment to become Buddha. King Ashoka erected a shrine near the Bodhi tree, which was replaced by Mahabodhi Temple in the 2nd century BC. It houses a gilded image of the Buddha in the pose signifying enlightenment, there are carvings on the Stupa depicting tales  from  Buddha's lives. After lunch visit various monastries and River Niranjana.

DAY 03 1ST DEC. BODHGAYA-VARANASI (B/F,L,D)
After breakfast drive to Varanasi. Varanasi is probably the oldest living city in India and one of the worlds most ancient. It was earlier known as Kasi ? the city that illuminates. The Present name is probably derived from the fact that it is situated on the confluence of the rivers Varuna & Asi Varanasi is a city that cannot be described, only experienced.. After lunch drive to Sarnath, where Buddha preached his first sermon after he had attained enlightenment at Bodhgaya. A lot has changed here since then but ancient aura is retained in the ruins and gardens. More importantly, at the museum in Sarnath is the Ashoka Pillar with its four guardian lions that has been used as independent India's national emblem.

DAY 04 2ND DEC. VARANASI (B/F,L,D)
Early morning enjoy the boat ride at the Holy River Ganges.Also view the Sunrise from the center of the river during the ride. Later on return to the Hotel for Breakfast. After breakfast temple tour and free time for shopping.

DAY 05 3RD DEC. VARANASI--LUMBINI. (B/F,L,D)
After breakfast drive to Lumbini. On arrival check in to the Hotel O/N Lumbini. ( 7 Hours Drive) 

DAY06 4TH DEC. LUMBINI. (B/F,L,D)
Full day Sight seeing of Lumbini where the Lord was born, Emperor Ashoka, in the  twenty-first  years  after his coronation visited the birthplace and raised  a  pillar  on  the  spot.  Also visit the Mahamaya Devi temple. The locals believe that Ladies after worshipping at this temple get rid of the sterility curse.

DAY 07 5TH DEC. LUMBINI-SRAVASTI
After breakfast drive to Sravasti. After lunch visit Sravasti Garden which is an important pilgrimage for Buddhists. Lord Buddha is believed to have spent 25 rainy seasons here preaching his teachings.

DAY 08 6TH DEC. SRAVASTI-KUSHINAGAR
After breakfast drive to Kushinagar. Arrive in Kushinagar and check-in at your hotel. Evening proceed with visit to the Mahabodhi temple. Kushinagar is where Lord Buddha at an age of 80 passed into Mahaparinirvana. The famous sites are Mahaparinirvana temple and Ramabhar Stupa where Buddha was cremated. Amongst the ruins are Mukutbandhan Stupa and a beautiful status of reclining Buddha. Also visit the Mukutbandhan Stupa built by Malla Dynasty to house Buddha's relics after the cremation. Dinner and overnight at Hotel. 

DAY 09 7TH DEC. KUSHINAGAR-VAISHALI-RAJGIR
After breakfast drive to Kushinagar via Vaishali. Vaishali is believed to be the first republic of the world, having an elected body of representatives hold special significance for Buddhist devotees. The Buddha preached the Radha Sutra to the eighty four thousand faithful gathered there. Women were ordained for the first time into Buddhism. It was at Vaishali that the famous courtesan of the Lichchavi empire, Amrapali, became a famous devotee of the Lord. She once entreated the Lord to grace her house. When Lord Buddha graciously accepted, the Lichchavi princes asked her to exchange this visit for a hundred thousand gold coins. Amrapali refused and after the Lord's visit, she was purged of her impurities and became a bhikshuni. A hundred years after Mahaparinirvana, the second Buddhist Council was held here.Continue drive to Rajgir.On Arrival check in to the Hotel.O/n Rajgir

DAY 10 8th DEC. RAJGIR-BODHGAYA
After breakfast sightseeing of Rajgir and Nalanada. Rajgir was the capital of Magadh Empire around 800 BC. This is evident from the remains of the cyclopean dry stone that once enclosed the ancient city. Visit the Ajatshatru Fort, Venuvana, and the bamboo grove where Lord Buddha spent some time. Located close is the Jivakamarvana Monastery (4-3rd C BC). After this take the cable car ride to visit the Visva Shanti Stupa built by Japanese on top of Ratnagiri mountain. From here you can have a good view of the Griddakuta Hill (the hill of vultures) from where Lord Buddha, delivered many important sermons and also of the Sattapani Cave, where the First Buddhist Council was convened six months after the death of Lord Buddha. Later visit Nalanda. The site of Nalanda was one of the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world University established in 5th century BC. It is believed that Lord Buddha and also the founder of Jainism religion Lord Mahavir taught at his university for years. There is even a monument to felicitate Chinese traveler and writer Hiuen Tsang studied at this university in the 7th century A.D. After Lunch drive to Bodhgaya. Arrive and O/N Bodhgaya.

DAY 11 9th DEC. BODHGAYA-SINGAPORE
Transfer to the airport to connect flight to Singapore with blessings of Lord Buddha.

Hotels used will be as follows:
·          Bodhgaya: Lotus Nikko/Sujata
·          Rajgir: The Rajgir Residency/Hokke
·          Kushinagar: Lotus Nikko
·          Sravasti: Lotus Nikko
·          Lumbini: Nirvana/Lumbini Garden
·          Varanasi: Clark's Tower