Buddhist Dharma Tour: 4 Days Exploring Key Sacred Sites

Arrive at Gaya airport and transfer to Bodhgaya as per your tour package. Bodhgaya is where Prince Siddhartha attained supreme enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree, becoming Buddha—the enlightened one. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his mission to spread peace and nirvana. Bodhgaya, a key pilgrimage site for Buddhists, is rich with monasteries and temples, offering a profound spiritual and meditative experience. It’s a place for deep exploration of Buddhist teachings and inner peace. Overnight stay in Bodhgaya. After lunch, we’ll explore Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his First Sermon at Deer Park (Rishipattana). Visit key sites including the Buddha Temple, Dhamekha Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandh Kuti Vihara, and the Archaeological Museum, which showcases artifacts from the Sarnath site. In the evening, experience the Ganga Arti at the Ghats or a Buddhist ritual ceremony at the Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple, built with contributions from the AIK World Buddhist Cultural Association Japan and the Sri Lanka Buddhist Foundation. The temple features a domed shrine with a Buddha portrait and ceremonial items, framed by ink paintings on the wall. Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Varanasi.

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 a 12th-century destruction by Muslim invaders. Restored by Burmese kings in the 14th century, it was rediscovered and conserved after being buried under silt until 1861. The main attraction is the Bodhi Tree, under which Buddha meditated for a week post-enlightenment. Although the current tree is a descendant, it is one of the oldest and most revered trees globally. The original tree’s shoot was taken to Sri Lanka in the 3rd century B.C. and is still thriving at the Mahavihara monastery in Anuradhapura. Explore additional temples and monasteries built by Buddhist communities from Thailand, China, Sri Lanka, Japan, Korea, Nepal, Taiwan, Bhutan, and others. Overnight stay in Bodhgaya. On your Bodhgaya city tour, visit the Mahabodhi Temple, where Buddha achieved enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a renowned Buddhist pilgrimage destination. The Bodhi Tree, under which Buddha meditated for a week post-enlightenment, is one of the world’s oldest and most revered trees. The original Bodhi Tree was transported to Sri Lanka by Bhikkhuni Sanghamitta, a descendant of Ashoka, in the 3rd century B.C. It was planted at the Mahavihara temple in Anuradhapura, where it continues to thrive. Return to the hotel and enjoy an overnight stay in Bodhgaya.

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, return to Bodhgaya for overnight stay.

Morning transfer to Gaya airport to catch flight for onwards destination.