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Day 13 Varanasi / Bodhgaya  |
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Today drive 170 miles in 6 hours to Bodhgaya, a quiet hamlet on the banks of river Phalgu and one of the most sacred places of pilgrimage for the Buddhist. This afternoon visit the archaeological museum that houses sculptures and fragments of railings and posts from the original Mahabodhi temple as well as gold, bronze and stone images of the Buddha. In the evening visit the Mahabodhi Temple complex to witness the Aarti ceremony, the festival of lights.
(Lotus Nikko) |
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| Day 14 Bodhgaya |
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Today revisit the Mahabodhi Temple complex that houses the famous Bo tree
(Pipal, ficus religiosa) under which Prince Gautama meditated and attained
enlightenment to become the Buddha - “the enlightened one”.
The Mahabodhi Temple, stands near the Bo tree, has a 52 meters high slender
pyramidal spire and houses a gilded image of Lord Buddha. Also visit monasteries
set-up by different counties like China, Tibet, Bhutan, Japan and Thailand.
(Lotus Nikko) |
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| Day 15 Bodhgaya / Rajgir / Nalanda / Bodhgaya |
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 Early morning drive to Rajgir, the erstwhile capital of the Magadhan Empire. The first Buddhist Council was held here to record the teachings of Buddha after his death. After lunch at Indo Hokke Hotel continue on to Nalanda to visit the ruins of one of the world’s oldest Buddhist universities. Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsang studied at this University for five years in the 7th century. After sightseeing tour return to Bodhgaya in the evening.
(Lotus Nikko) |
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| Day 16 Bodhgaya / Varanasi / Bhopal |
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After breakfast drive 6 hours to Varanasi railway station in time for express train 1072 Kamayani Express Varanasi / Bhopal (1550/0745+1).
(Air-conditioned sleeper berth) |
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| Day 17 Bhopal |
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Arrive Bhopal at 0745 and transfer to the hotel. Morning is at leisure. In the afternoon visit Bharat Bhawan – a centre of creative and performing arts and the Tribal Habitat Museum of Man. Later drive to Bhimbetka Hill to visit the richest collection of prehistoric rock paintings in the caves. Return to Bhopal en route visiting the Bhojeswar Temple at Bhojpur.
(Noor-Us-Sabah Palace) |
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| Day 18 Bhopal / Sanchi / Bhopal |
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 Today drive 30 miles to Sanchi, a peaceful hill crowned by India’s finest surviving Buddhist Monument. The Great Stupa is one of the earliest religious structures in the subcontinent. It presides over a complex of ruined temples and monasteries that collectively provide a rich and unbroken record of the development of Buddhist art and architecture from its emergence in central India during the 3rd century BC. Visit the Archaeological museum that houses caskets, pottery, parts of gateway and images dating from the Asokan period. After sightseeing proceed to Udaigiri to visit the caves excavated during the reign of Chandragupta II. These caves possess all the distinctive features of Gupta art. Return to Bhopal in the evening.
(Noor-Us-Sabah Palace) |
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