The enlightened one, the revered mystic of the East, the spiritual leader who set the ‘Wheel of Dharma’ in motion, Lord Buddha needs no introduction. Based on his simple yet profound teachings, Buddhism has emerged as a major religion not only in India but all over the world. It is no wonder then that the places touched by Lord Buddha, the mighty monasteries, the lofty stupas, the quiet groves, the mysterious caves-of-Buddha and the serene parks hold a fascination for his followers and tourists alike. Because sometimes all we desire from a journey is peace of mind, a quiet place where one can contemplate and be transported to an era of wisdom, spirituality and enlightenment. If that’s the kind of tour you want for yourself, then you can explore the best of both the worlds i.e. Buddhist-Pilgrimage-Tourism through a fascinating journey on IRCTC’s Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train. A unique offering in the Buddha-tours-sector, this luxury train takes tourists to all the places related to Buddha in India and Nepal. Let’s take a look at this 8 days and 7 nights glorious journey in a little more detail.
Day 1: You will start this soul-cleansing journey at New Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station. The beautiful train adorned with flowers is a sight to behold and your welcome with fresh garlands and a tikka (vermillion mark) will be both traditional and full of warmth. Once you are settled in your new abode, the train will depart to its first destination, Gaya in Bihar.
Day 2: Start the day with a cup of revitalizing tea and arrive comfortably in Gaya. After that you will be taken to Bodhgaya via coach where you can relax and enjoy a delicious lunch at a deluxe hotel. This will be followed by an exciting evening of sightseeing at some of Bodhgaya’s most iconic Buddhist landmarks like Mahabodhi Temple, Thai Temple, Japanese Temple and the Buddha statue.
Day 3: After a relaxing overnight stay and scrumptious breakfast at the hotel, the Buddha-travel-and-tour aboard the IRCTC’s Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train will proceed to Rajgir, a quaint town famous for Buddhist destinations that include Bimbisara Jail, Gridhakut hill &Venuvan. On the same day, you will get an opportunity to explore the ruins of the world-famous Nalanda University and also get a chance to discover fascinating artefacts dating back to the 5th & 6th century BC at the archaeological museum before departing for Varanasi.
Day 4: After a satisfying breakfast aboard the train, you will visit Sarnath and the sacred deer park where Siddhartha Gautama became Lord Buddha. The place also has other interesting sites like Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath Museum, Ashokan Pillar and Mulgandha Kuti Vihar. The next experience in store for you is nothing short of magical: an evening spent soaking in the spiritual vibes during the evening aarti spectacle at the ghats of Ganga in Varanasi. After this remarkable day, the train will proceed to Nautanwa.
Day 5: Your first destination in Nepal will be Buddha’s birthplace, the tranquil town of Lumbini. Here you can visit one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, the Maya Devi Temple and also witness the intricacies of the Ashokan Pillar
Day 6: After an amazing dinner, overnight stay and breakfast in a luxurious hotel, you will be taken to the place where Lord Buddha attained maha parinirvana and left his corporeal self behind in Kushinagar. This pious land also has several holy sites like Mahaparinirvan Temple,
Rambhar Stupa, Mata Kutir Temple, etc. Post a tour of these places, you will proceed to Gorakhpur followed by Balrampur and Sravasti.
Day 7: The second last day of the tour is dedicated to divine destination that is also Lord Buddha’s favoured monsoon haunt, Sravasti. It has several tourist attractions that are excellent for sightseeing including Jetvana Vihara, Pakki Kuti and Sehat & Mahet. The day will be concluded with a wholesome vegetarian meal aboard and the train will move towards Agra. Day 8: The last day of this enchanting journey will bring you to the iconic Taj Mahal in Agra where you’ll get to witness it’s beauty from close quarters and can also collect souvenirs for your loved ones back home. To bring a magical end to a magical journey, guests are served a lavish evening tea aboard before reaching New Delhi where the guests alight with a heart full of memories and a soul full of reverence.
Are you ready to experience the best of Buddhist-Pilgrimage-Tourism aboard the IRCTC Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train? Click here to book now & avail exciting booking offers like ‘Pay for 1 and your companion pays 50% only’ & more. Hurry! Offer valid for all Indian Nationals only & for a limited period only.