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Day 1-2: February 5; Depart International cities on flight to
Kolkatta.
If
you arrive prior to the 7th, we can arrange for you an additional
night of accommodations.
Day
3: February 7: Kolkatta
You will be met at the International Airport and brought to your hotel.
Depending on your arrival time, you may wish to enjoy some Calcutta sight seeing. Calcutta (Kolkatta) was a village in the 17th century, and now is one of the biggest cities in the world. The sightseeing photographic and sketching opportunities include visits to Eden Gardens, The New Secretariat, High Court, Legislative Assembly, Jain temple, and Victoria Memorial.
This evening enjoy a ‘Boat cruise’ on the Hoogly River. There are a number of spiritual
centers here where we shall, by prior arrangement, be introduced to the programs available.
Accommodations: Hotel
Hindustan International, (B, L, D)
Day
4: February 08: Patna - Bodhgaya
Arrive in Patna, capital of Bihar State. Stop for breakfast at HOTEL SIDDARTH, Patna, at its earliest was a small straggling village called Patali as mentioned in Buddhist and Jaina traditions. It was founded by King Ajatshatru who was interested in shifting his capital from the hilly Rajagriha to a more strategic Patali, on the confluence of the Ganga.
Then drive via Rajgir and the Great Buddhist University at Nalanda to Bodhgaya. Rajgir, which means ‘house of the king’, was the ancient capital city of the Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when Ajatshatru moved the capital to Pataliputra. 46 km from Bodhgaya, the town is sacred to the memory of the founders of both Buddhism and Jainism and houses historical remains like the cyclopean wall and marks engraved in rocks.
Lunch at Local Restaurant in Rajgir.
Nalanda, where ruins of the great ancient university have been excavated, is 90 km. southeast of Patna by road. The ruins extend over a large area. Nalanda, established by the Gupta Emperors in the 5th century AD was the largest residential centre of learning that the world had ever known. The library was located in a nine-storied building. Since the time of Buddha, the bhikkus (monks) were always encouraged to study the various arts and sciences. Learning was greatly encouraged as served dual proposes: knowledge and practice. The monks therefore took to learning so that they might practice it and
realize Dhamma perfectly and thereby enrich the ordinary people.
Bodhgaya, in northeastern India is the site of the Buddha’s enlightenment and the most important of four main Buddhist pilgrimage destinations. Known as Uruvela in the Buddha’s time, the city of Bodhgaya is now a town of about 30,000 permanent residents. The two major sacred sites in Bodhgaya are the
Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree around which many other temples and monasteries of various Buddhist traditions (Japanese, Tibetan, Bhutanese and others) have been built. Every year, millions of Buddhist pilgrims, mainly from Asian countries, flock to Bodhgaya to be inspired, dissipate negative karma and earn merit by visiting the holy site where the Buddha became the “Enlightened One.” Throughout the day and night in the height of the pilgrimage season, monks in
colorful robes can be seen meditating where the Buddha did, studying dharma texts, making offerings to the many statues and stupas on the site, and doing circumambulation of the sacred Mahabodhi Temple.
Accommodations: Lotus
Nikko, (B,L)
Day
5: February 9: Bodhgaya
Breakfast at Hotel in Bodhgaya, then
visit Mahabodhi Temple and other important temples in Bodhgaya. The Mahabodhi (“Great Enlightenment”) Temple is a Buddhist stupa located in Bodhgaya. It is the most sacred site in Buddhism and visited regularly by both Buddhist and Hindu pilgrims (many Hindus
honor the Buddha as an incarnation of Vishnu). It is a truly enriching experience to see pilgrims from the world over intent on performing meritorious acts, meditating, lighting votive candles, telling their prayer beads or just quietly walking in calm and delight.
The Bodhi Tree (”Tree of Awakening,” also known as the Bo Tree) in Bodhgaya is a direct descendent of the tree under which Siddhartha Gautama is attained enlightenment. After 49 days of meditation, it was here that Siddhartha Gautama became the Buddha, the “Enlightened One.”
Evening Free, with dinner at your hotel.
Accommodations: Lotus
Nikko, (B, D)
Day
6: February
10: Bodhgaya-Varanasi
Early breakfast at hotel, then depart by road for
Varanasi – at 3,000 years, it is the world’s oldest continually inhabited city. Varanasi, also known as Kashi and Benaras, is the cultural capital of India. Varanasi is a melting pot, where both death and life come together. Varanasi is also known for its fine-quality silks, ‘paan’ and Benares Hindu University.
The Ganga Ghats (river front) are the most popular pilgrimage spot of Varanasi and are centers of music and learning. There is a great tradition of Yatras (Pilgrimage) in the holy city, and the most sacred path is that of Panchkoshi Parikrama, the fifty-mile path with a radius of five miles that cover 108 shrines along the way, with
Panchakoshi Temple as its main shrine. Since time immemorial Varanasi is a great centre of learning. The holy city has been a symbol of spiritualism, philosophy and mysticism for thousands of years and has produced great saints and personalities like Gautama Buddha, Mahavira, Kabir, Tulsi Das, Shankaracharaya, Ramanuja and Patanjali, to name a few.
En route to Varanasi you will be provided LUNCH at Local Restaurant.
Accommodations: Hotel
Hindustan International, (B, L, D)
Day
7: February 11: Varanasi
We rise early for a dawn boat ride in Varanasi,
then return to hotel for breakfast. Later in the morning proceed for guided tour of
Sarnath, located just 12 km from the Hindu holy city of Varanasi, is the site of the deer park where
Gautama Buddha first taught the Dharma after his enlightenment. Sarnath is one of four holy Buddhist sites sanctioned by the Buddha himself for pilgrimage. The other three sites are: Lumbini, (birth); Bodh Gaya, (enlightenment); and Kushinagar, (death).
Return by afternoon and LUNCH at hotel.
Afternoon – arranged visit to Madame Professor Bettina Baumer one of the
world’s foremost authorities on Swami Abhishiktananda (late Dom Henri Le Saux, OSB). Dr Bettina Baumer, born in Austria, has been working in Varanasi since 1967. Unbelievably, she is today a renowned scholar of Sanskrit, Kashmir Shaivism, Indian philosophy and art. We will visit
Abhinavagupta Research Library at Bhadaini near Assi Ghat in Varanasi. Prof Baumer teaches scholars from India and abroad – in a traditional Indian (Pandit) style, sitting on the ground.
Prof Baumer has been director of a research institute on Indian art
in Varanasi and coordinator of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for
the Arts, Varanasi. Since 1995, she is regularly teaching as
visiting Professor at the universities of Vienna, Berne and
Salzburg. She was also Fellow, Indian Institute of Advanced Study,
Shimla.
Evening visit to temples and enjoy GANGA AARTI.
Accommodations:
Hotel Hindustan International,
(B, L)
Day
8: February 12: Varanasi – Delhi.
Breakfast at hotel, and prepare to
transfer. Check out from hotel at 11am for transfer to Varanasi airport to board flight for Delhi.
Lunch on board provided by Airlines. Assistance on arrival at airport and transfer straight for guided tour of and thereafter proceed for guided tour of OLD and NEW DELHI. You start your tour visiting
, later a memorable drive on Bicycle Rickshaw which takes you through the colorful bye lanes of
Old Delhi Market and drop you near RED FORT of Delhi. A short photo stop at Red Fort and drive by
RAJ GHAT.
Accommodations: The
Residence, (B, D)
Day
9: February
13: Delhi – Agra – Delhi.
Early morning transfer from hotel to Railway station to board train for
AGRA, and we will be served a lovely breakfast on board the
train. Assistance on arrival at Agra station and proceed straight for guided tour of
Fatehpur Sikri.
Return to Agra City, for lunch at local Restaurant. Proceed for
guided tour of Agra Fort and there after guided tour of Taj Mahal and remain at the monument till Sunset.
Evening Tea / Coffee snacks at an area restaurant and transfer to Agra
Railway station to board train back to New Delhi. Assistance on arrival at New Delhi railway station and transfer to hotel.
Dinner served on the train.
Accommodations: The
Residence, (B, L, D)
Day
10: February 14: Delhi-Departure
Breakfast at hotel, then an excursion to the amazing
Swaminarayan Akshardham Temple, which impressively showcases the essence of India’s ancient architecture, traditions and timeless spiritual messages. The Akshardham experience is an enlightening journey through India’s art, values and contributions for the progress, happiness and harmony of mankind. Inaugurated in 2005, the complex was built in only five years by 11,000 artisans and volunteers.
We
check out from hotel at noon, but enjoy lunch at local restaurant or
in the hotel. We have time for an afternoon city tour of New Delhi visiting Government Buildings and India Gate, and enjoy Shopping.
DINNER at City restaurant and transfer before transfer to the airport to board your onward international flight.
(B, L, D)
End
of Tour
Exclusions
include: international airfare, transfers per arrival in Kolkata, expenses of a personal nature, tipping at restaurants,
laundry, telecommunications, alcohol and non/alcoholic beverages,
meals other than those scheduled, medical expenses or travel
insurance, visa fees or airport taxes.
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