Nirvana Tour

Pilgrimage to Buddha's Site India

In conjunction with

Thösamling Institute for International Buddhist Women

Buddha's Sites – Northern India

Buddhism - founded in North India, is not a religion but a system of philosophy and code of morality. With 6.6 million Buddhists in the country, there are countless Temples, Gompas and it monuments associated with Buddhism.

Lubmini, Nepal is where the Buddha was born, Bodhgaya, India was where he attained full enlightenment, and Sarnath was where he turned the wheel of Dharma twelve times, and finally the Buddha entered into Parinirvana. (The Buddha) in Kushinagar. Hundreds of years have gone by, but architectural splendours, still standing resoundingly are ample testimonial of Buddhist philosophy and doctrines. It's all possible to come across with such splendours as we have for you the following tour plan.

Buddhist Festivals are the days for joy and celebration commemorating some significant events related to Lord Buddha. Apart from religious significance, Buddhist Festivals also impart an opportunity for people to meet and meditate in local temple or monastery. The principal Buddhist festivals celebrate 'the Three Jewels', the Buddha, the Dharma (the Buddhist Teaching), and the Sangha (the spiritual community).

Destinations – Varanasi
For Hindus, Varanasi is the holiest place on earth, believing that it is the chosen residence of Lord Shiva, who is said to abide in every nook and cranny of the city. The city draws pilgrims from around the world, to worship, to meditate, and above all to bathe in the sacred waters of the River Ganges. There are countless temples that stretch all along the riverside Ghats - sets of stone steps that lead down to the river. On the Ghats you find most of the city's activity. At dawn, early risers immerse themselves in the holy water, pilgrims flock to the temples, astrologers prepare to read palms or horoscopes and families carry the dead to their last rites by the holy river. Those who die in Varanasi are guaranteed liberation from the cycle of death and rebirth, no matter what they may have done in their lifetime. Each evening the Ghats come alive again when synchronized pujas (ceremonies) are performed and hundreds of leaf-boat lamps float down the river.

Sarnath
Situated 10 km from Varanasi is the site where Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, preaching the middle path for attaining 'Nirvana'. Realising the sanctity of the site, emperor Ashoka, in the 3rd century B.C. built some of the finest monuments and legacies.

Set in well maintained gardens, Sarnath's ruins are a pleasant place to stroll amongst or meditate in. The most conspicuous structure at Sarnath is the Dhamekha Stupa. This is believed to be the spot where the Buddha delivered his first sermon. Dhamekha seems to be a distorted form of Dharma Chakra which means turning the wheel of the Dharma. It is also said that at this spot the five ascetics who left Gautama Buddha in Bodhgaya used to live in huts. The original stupa was constructed by Ashoka. The present size of the stupa is 31.3 m high and 28.3 m in diameter. The lower portion of the stupa is covered completely with beautifully carved stones.

The Dhamekha stupa is considered to be the sacred place where the voice of Buddhism was first heard. Many dignitaries of Buddhist countries visit this place for circumambulation of this sacred stupa and to worship the Buddha. Tibetan Buddhists circumambulate it chanting the mantra 'Om mani padme hum'. The first discourse of the Buddha was on the 'Wheel of Law'. The wheel symbolises samsara (world), the eternal round of existence which goes on and on, life after life because of ceaseless cravings and desire.

Bodhgaya
This is where Prince Gautama attained enlightenment under the sacred Asvatta tree (Bodhi tree) and became known as Lord Buddha. This is one of the four most sacred pilgrimage places for the Buddhists. The other three important places are his place of birth at Lumbini, Nepal; the site of his first lecture at Sarnath, near Varanasi; and the place where he left his body at Kushinagar, near Gorakhpur. Buddhists from all over the world have built temples here in Bodhgaya. The Dalai Lama often spends time here. Tibetan pilgrims come here for the winter from Dharamshala.

Bodhgaya is a place which should be visited or seen by a person of devotion and which would cause awareness of the nature of impermanence. Since 1953, Bodhgaya has been developed as an international place of pilgrimage. Buddhists from Sri Lanka, Thailand, Burma, Tibet, Bhutan and Japan have established monasteries and temples within easy walking distance of the Mahabodhi compound. The site of the enlightenment now attracts Buddhists and tourists from all over the world. At any time during the cooler months between December and March, a visitor to Bodhgaya can observe a continual stream of Indian and international pilgrims walking the roads or arriving in buses, circumambulating the temple, performing prostrations and offering prayers in a multitude of languages.

Rajgir
Rajgir (meaning 'house of the king'), was the ancient capital city of the Magadha kings until the 5th century BC when Ajatsatru moved the capital to Pataliputra. Forty-six 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.

Rajgir is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site since the Buddha spent 12 years here, and the first Buddhist council after the Buddha was hosted here at the Saptaparni caves.

Griddhakuta or Vulture's Peak
This was the place where the Lord Buddha set in motion his second wheel of Dharma and for three months every year during the rainy season, preached many inspiring sermons to his disciples. The Buddha Sangha of Japan have constructed a massive modern stupa, the Shanti Stupa (Peace Pagoda), at the top of the hill in commemoration. A bridle path leads up to the hill but it is much more fun to take the Aerial Chairlift which operates every day except Thursday.

Kushinagar
Kushinagar is one of the principal centers of Buddhist pilgrimage is the place of Mahaparinrvana. The monuments of Kushinagar are situated in three distinct places comprising in the main site of the Nirvana Temple houses over 6-meter long statue of the reclining Buddha. The image was unearthed during the excavations in 1876. An inscription below dates the statue to the 5th century BC Mathakaur shrine is black stone image of Lord Buddha was also recovered here.

Lumbini
Lumbini is the place Lord Buddha - the apostle of peace and the light of Asia - was born in 623 BC. Located in the flat plains of south-Western Nepal and the foothills of Churia range, Lumbini and its surrounding area is endowed with a rich natural setting of fauna and favourable agricultural environ. Historically, the region is an exquisite treasure-trove of ancient ruins and antiquities, dating back to pre-Christian era. The site, described as a beautiful garden in the Buddha’s time still retains its legendary charm and beauty.

Lumbini is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas in modern Nepal.

The proceeds of this tour will be donated to Thosamling so that they may continue their work offering affordable retreat accommodation, spiritual and educational programs to International Buddhist practitioners.

COST
Pilgrimage Only (India component cost ex Delhi):

Australian Dollars

A$2500

Book Now!

Pilgrimage & Dalai Lama's teaching (India component cost ex Delhi):

Australian Dollars

A$4000

Book Now!

(Prices are based on a minimum of 4 people)

Includes

• Met and returned to Delhi Airport by your Western guide or his/her representative
• Airfare from Delhi to Leh
• All transfers and travel by A/C train and private vehicles
• Services of knowledgeable Western nuns  and supplemented English speaking guides
• All attractions and entrance fees as per itinerary
• Breakfast and dinner

Excludes

• Airfares to and from India
• Indian visas
• Travel Insurance (compulsory)
• Occasional optional items not identified in itinerary description
• Tipping and personal expenses
• Bottled water and other beverages not included with meals