Buddha Enlightenment Tour: 9 Days of Sacred Sites

Arrive at Gaya airport and transfer to Bodhgaya. This city is where Prince Siddhartha achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, marking his transformation into Buddha—the enlightened one.

Bodhgaya is the site where Buddha began his mission to spread peace and nirvana. It is home to numerous monasteries and temples dedicated to Buddhism, creating a deeply spiritual and meditative atmosphere. As the most significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide, Bodhgaya offers a profound experience of Buddhist teachings. Overnight stay.

Spend the full day exploring Bodhgaya. Visit the Mahabodhi Temple, originally built by Emperor Ashoka 250 years after Buddha’s enlightenment. Reconstructed in the 7th century A.D., the temple has endured invasions, including destruction by Muslim invaders in the 12th century. It was restored by Burmese kings in the 14th century, and after being buried under silt, it received extensive restoration following excavation in 1861.

The temple’s main attraction is the Bodhi Tree, under which Buddha meditated for a week after his enlightenment. Although the current tree is a descendant, it is one of the oldest and most revered trees in the world. A shoot of the original tree was taken to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century B.C. by Bhikkhuni Sangamitta, and it is still thriving at the Mahavihara monastery in Anuradhapura.

In addition to the ancient remains, explore temples and monasteries built by various Buddhist countries, including Thailand, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Taiwan, and Bhutan. Overnight stay.

Morning leave for Rajgir which was once the ancient capital of the Magadha Kings. Buddha often visited this place, seeking the solitude and tranquillity of the Jivkamaravana monastery and preaching and meditating at the Griddhakuta hill (hill of vultures). At this hill, he converted one of the celebrated followers, the Mauryan king Bimbisara, to Buddhism. When Buddha arrived at ‘Parinirvana’ his devotees held the first Buddhist council at the Saptaparni cave. It was here, that his teachings were penned down for the very first time. Visit Venture’s peak where Lord Buddha set in motion His second wheel of law and preached sermons to his disciples for three months in the rainy season. The peak also houses a massive modern Stupa, the Shanti Stupa, built by the Buddhist Sangha of Japan. Then proceed to Nalanda which was founded in 5th century B.C. It is one of the world’s oldest living cities. Buddha visited this place number of times. It is most famous for The Nalanda University which was established in 5th century B.C. The ruins of the university are spread over 14 hectares of land. All the buildings are made with red bricks built in Kushana style of architecture. The most imposing structure is the Sariputra stupa at the extreme south of the University. There are 9 monasteries. Each monastery was provided one shrine which contained the colossal image of Buddha. Also visit Museum here which possesses the treasure antiquities found during the excavations in Nalanda and Rajgir. Finally, proceed to Patna. Check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Morning: Depart for Kushinagar, with an enroute visit to Vaishali. This site is significant in Buddhism as Lord Buddha delivered his last sermon here and visited multiple times after his enlightenment. Vaishali was once the capital of one of the earliest republican states and is where Buddha instructed his disciple Ananda to gather the monks and announce his impending Mahaparinirvana, urging them to spread Dharma for global happiness.

Continue to Kesariya, formerly known as Kesaputta, where Buddha's pre-enlightenment teacher, Alara Kalama, is said to have resided. Buddha is also connected to Kesaputta, where he delivered the important Kessaputtiya Sutta (Kalama Sutta). The Kesariya Stupa honors the place where Buddha spent his final days before attaining Nirvana.

Proceed to Kushinagar, a must-visit for Buddhist pilgrims. It was here that Buddha gave his final sermon and attained Nirvana. Although few ruins remain from the Mallas dynasty era, Ashoka the Great built several structures in Kushinagar.

Arrive and check in at the hotel.

Morning visit Kushinagar where excavations reveal structures and artefacts related to all sects of Buddhism. Kushinagar is the common thread of all sects of Buddhism through its magnificent Chaityas, Viharas, temples and monasteries. Visit Nirvana Temple perched high on a plinth, the temple houses reclining Nirvana statue of Lord Buddha and is made of monolithic red sandstone. The statue is placed over huge brick-pedestal with stone-posts at the four ends. Inscriptions are beautifully engraved on the statue which dates back to the 5th century. Ramabhar Stupa is the cremation site of Lord Buddha and is also called as Mukutsbandhan-Chaitya. Finally, proceed to Lumbini which is famous in the world for being the sacred site of Lord Buddha’s birth. Upon arrival, check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Morning visit Maya Devi Temple marks the spot where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in around 563BC. The temple is enclosed by the brick foundations of monasteries and ancient temples. The ground floor of the temple still has remains of the ruins of the ancient Maya Devi Temple dating back to 3rd century BC. In the adjoining sacred garden you’ll find the pillar of Ashoka, ancient ruins of stupas, and maroon- and saffron-robed monks congregating under a sprawling Bodhi (pipal) tree decorated with prayer flags. There is a sacred pond beside the temple which is believed to be the birth spot where Maya Devi bathed before giving birth to the Buddha. Later leave for Sravasti is where Buddha delivered many of his important sermons. Sravasti is the most important Buddhist pilgrimage site in the country. Lord Buddha bewildered his sermons with a million fold expression of himself, seated on a thousand-petaled lotus, as fire and water sprung from his body. After arrival check in at hotel for overnight stay.

In the morning visit Saheth in Sravasti. It has a number of Buddhist Stupas and monasteries. The main attractions here are two chambers; Gandhakuti and Kosambakuti, which were used by Buddha. Gandhakuti or fragrant chamber is the most sacred place as it was used as personal chamber by Lord Buddha and devotees offer large amount of flowers to the Lord. Afterwards leave for Varanasi. It is the oldest living city of the world and is famous as the city of temples. Varanasi or Kashi as it is popularly known is the most important place of pilgrimage for Hindus and the sight of devout praying standing water deep in Ganges. Buddha had reached here after he attained Nirvana to look for five Hindus Ascetics who he had met earlier before enlightenment and who had insisted that the only path to salvation was through self-mortification. Buddha gave them the precious gift of spiritual knowledge thus they became his followers and the first members of the Sangha. After arrival at Varanasi check in at hotel for overnight stay.

Early morning Boat tour on River Ganges to visit Bathing Ghats. We explore Ghats to witness the live rituals of the world’s most important religion. Sailing on the holy waters of Ganga, enjoy the sight of sunrise and at the background you will experience thousands of pilgrims worshipping sunrise and having a bath in the holy water. Return to hotel for breakfast. Later excursion to Sarnath, one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in India. Visit Dhamekh Stupa which is the most wonderful and massive structure at Sarnath. Built partly in brick and partly in stone, the Dhamekh Stupa is 28 meter in diameter at the base and 43.6 meter in height. The Stupa has a specific significance at Sarnath as it signifies the place where Buddha delivered his first sermon after he attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya. Here he preached his first discourse to his five former companions. This event is described in Buddhist texts as dharmachakra – pravartana, meaning the turning of the Wheel of Law. The Buddha taught them all that he had learned and thus they also became enlightened. This marked the foundation of the first Buddhist Sangha or the community of monks. The name Dhamekh proves that it certainly has some linkage with Buddha’s Dharma. It is believed that the Stupa was built by Ashoka on the spot where Buddha set in motion the wheel of law. While returning to Varanasi, tour of Ganges by boat and experience Aarti ceremony on Ghat there. Overnight stay at hotel.

In the morning, transfer to airport to catch flight for onwards destination.