According to the holy text, the Mahaparinirvana sutra, Buddha once told his followers that they can attain merit and a noble rebirth by going on a pilgrimage to important Buddhist pilgrimage sites such as Lumbini, Bodh Gaya, Sarnath and Kushinagar. Consequently, followers of Buddha across the world pay their respects to the Lord by visiting these sacred places at least once in their lifetime. The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) has introduced a train especially for Buddhist pilgrims that takes them to all the holy places associated with the life of Buddha in India and Nepal. The itinerary of the Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train is well-planned and pilgrims can experience true spirituality though this Delhi to Nalanda tour package and even beyond.
On this 8 days/ 7 nights journey, the train starts from Delhi and departs to Bodh Gaya where the passengers get a chance to visit the famed Mahabodhi Temple and Niranjana River. They are then free to go sightseeing to Thai temple, Japanese Temple and can also opt to visit the famous Buddha statue. On the next day, guests are taken to Rajgir where they witness the legend of places like the Bimbimsara Jail, Gridhakut hill and Venuvan. This is followed by a visit to the world-famous Nalanda University and Museum that houses precious remnants of Buddhist culture and civilization from 12th century AD. The ruins of this university are spread over 14 hectares of land that pilgrims can explore during their Nalanda Buddhist tour. This large and revered Buddhist monastery attracted scholars, students and pilgrims from different parts of the world. Hence, it is a popular destination for history lovers and scholars even today. After spending some time among the ruins of this Mahavihara, passengers get to explore Varanasi & Sarnath and witness a delightful evening aarti at the Ghat of holy river, Ganges. The train then proceeds to cover Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal such as Lumbini, which offer sight-seeing opportunities to places like Maya Devi Temple, the place where Lord Buddha was born, and Ashokan Pillar. After this, the train moves to Kushinagar, which is home to important sites such as Mahaparinirvan Temple, Rambhar Stupa and Mata Kutir Temple. On the last day of the pilgrimage, guests are taken to Sravasti where they can visit Jetvana Vihara, Pakki Kuti and Sehat Mahet. The train finally reaches Agra where passengers can admire the beauty of the monument of love, Taj Mahal.
One of the most famous Buddha Nalanda travel trains in the country, the IRCTC Buddhist Circuit Tourist train gives all its passengers equal opportunity to visit sacred places and still get some time for meditation and self-introspection. For those who like to discuss the teachings of Buddha and get a better understanding of his philosophy, this train also provides an ideal space for like-minded individuals to meet and interact with each other. Unlike other trains in the country, it is well-equipped with all the latest fixtures and amenities to ensure that passengers can travel in comfort. Ready to seek the blessings of the Lord before the year ends? Book the journey departing on 28th Dec’19. Hurry!
