Route : Kolkata – Varanasi – Bodhgaya –
Rajgir – Vaishali – Patna –Kolkata
Day 01 Abroad
– Kolkata
Arrive
at Kolkata international airport.
On arrival in Kolkata, you will be met
by our representative and transferred to the hotel
Overnight at hotel
Day
02 Kolkata - VaranasiMorning visit
Victoria Memorial -
sits opposite the Maidan in Central Calcutta. Resembling a cross
between the Taj Mahal and St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, it is Calcutta’s
most impressive landmark. Shortly after her death, Lord Curzon proposed a
memorial be dedicated to Queen Victoria both as a tribute and a triumphant
depiction of her reign in India. The monument was called Victoria Memorial
Hall. Then visit
St. Paul’s Cathedral - One of the most
important churches in India, the Cathedral, stands just to the east of the
Victoria Memorial. It is notable for its striking murals and frescoes,
impressive stained-glass windows, and coloured alter redoes including the
great west window by Burne Jones. Also visit the
Kali temple - the
temple is about 2 kilometers directly south of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Rebuilt in 1809 on the site of a much older temple, it is an important site.
Kali is a form of Durga and the image is seen astride a tiger.
Afternoon visit
Indian Museum - built in the
Italian style of architecture (1875), this is the largest museum in India
with one of the finest collections in Asia. There are rare collections of
pottery from Mohenjodaro, art from the Gandhara school and coins from the
Mughal period. There is a lot to see such as the immense ‘Bharhut Stupa’
depicting the 500 incarnations of Buddha prior to his enlightenment, the two
giant pre-historic skeletons and a double coconut tree which blossoms once
in a century. There is a special textile gallery and even a partially
exposed mummy from Egypt. Then visit
Mother Teresa’s home -
Sisters of charity. Over 50 years ago since the Bengal famine
the redoubtable sister left the comfort and security of her teaching
position in Calcutta to tend for the poor, the sick and the dying in the
poverty-stricken area of the city. From these very modest beginnings she had
through love, work and will-power, created an organization within the
glowing confines of her own personality that commands respect everywhere in
the world. She received universal recognition for her work and
the Nobel Peace prize.
Later in late evening transfer to railway
station for train to
VaranasiLeave: Kolkata at 2000 hrs by
Howrah Amritsar Mail
Overnight on train
Day
03 VaranasiArrive: Varanasi at 0955 hrs
On arrival in
Varanasi, you will be met by our representative and transferred to the hotel
Morning
at leisure
Afternoon visit
Sarnath 5 miles out of Varanasi
one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world, where Buddha preached his
first Sermon in 590 B.C. Here you will witness the ruins of a once
flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine Museum which houses an
excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures found at the site. (
Sarnath
museum is closed on Friday).
Overnight at hotel
Day
04 Varanasi – BodhgayaEarly morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat
and take a boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation Ghats
and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and most
important religions. Visit some of the many Hindu temples that line
the river Ganges. Stroll along the narrow lanes and bazaars full of shops
selling, among other things, the world famous Benaras Silks.
Rendezvous
with a Hindu astrologer, who will explain the influence of astrology
on the way of life of a devout and religious Hindu person.
Afternoon
drive to
Bodhgaya (243 km)
Upon arrival in Bodhgaya –
check into the hotel
Overnight at hotel
Day 05 Bodhgaya - Rajgir 
Morning
visit
Bodhgaya -The Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodhgaya, under
the Bodhi tree, 10 km from Gaya, the ancient Hindu pilgrimage centre. The
tree from the original sapling still stands in the temple premises. It is
the most important Buddhist pilgrimage centre as Buddha was born here. The
magnificent
Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya is an architectural
amalgamation of many centuries, cultures and many heritage’s that came
to pay their homage here. The temple definitely has architecture of the
Gupta period and later ages, inscriptions describing visits of pilgrims from
Sri Lanka, Myanmar and China between 7th and 10th century AD. It is perhaps
still the same temple Hieun Tsang visited in the7th century.
Afternoon
drive to Rajgir (160 km)
Upon arrival in Rajgir – check into
the hotel
Overnight at hotel
Day 06 Rajgir –
Vaishali - PatnaMorning visit
Rajgir, known
earlier as 'Rajagriha' or Girivaraja, nestles in the rocky hills that
witnessed the teachings of both Buddha and Mahavira. It lies 15 km south of
Nalanda, and was the ancient capital of the Magadha kings. The
Buddha frequented Rajagriha, seeking the solitude and tranquillity of the
Jivkamaravana monastery, preaching and meditating at the Griddhakuta hill
(Hill of vultures). It was at this hill, that he converted one of his
celebrated followers, the Mauryan king Bimbisara, to Buddhism. After the
Buddha reached 'parinirvana', his followers held the first Buddhist council
at the Saptaparni cave. It was here, that His teachings were penned down for
the very first time. An important pilgrimage centre for Hindus and Jains,
Rajgir is also known as Panchpahari with shrines on five hills. Today,
Rajgir is a picturesque and serene place, visited by pilgrims from all over
the globe. It has also gained recognition as a health resort, thanks to the
famous hot springs. There after visit Hot Spring, King Bumbisara Jail and
the Cave.
Afternoon drive to
Patna (120 km), en route visit
Vaishali
Vaishali
is very special to a Buddhist. Buddha delivered his last sermon here and
announced his impending
‘ nirvana’. Some of the great
incidents in his life also occurred here, like the courtesan Amrapali giving
him a mango orchard and becoming a Buddhist nun. The Buddha is supposed to
have visited Vaishali three times. Centuries later
Fa-Hien and
Hiuen Tsang followed the footsteps of the great Buddha.
Vaishali
the capital of ancient
Lichhavis is supposed to be the first
republic of the world, having an elected body of representatives and an
efficient administration as early as 6th century BC. Vaishali is also the
birthplace of
Lord Mahavira and is sacred to the Jains.
Places
to be visited are
Abhishek Pushkarni, Ashok Pillar, Lotus tank,
Chaumukhi Mahadeo, Vaishali museum.Upon arrival in Patna –
check into the hotel
Overnight at hotel
Day 07 Patna
– KolkataFull Day at leisure
Late afternoon transfer to
airport for flight to
KolkataLeave: Patna
at 1740
hrs
by S2 115Arrive: Kolkata
at 1835
hrsOn arrival in Kolkata, you will be met by our
representative and transferred to the hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 08 Kolkata – ChennaiMorning at
leisureRoom is booked till 1200 hrs
Depart Kolkata
