Page||1

ON THE PATH OF BUDDHA

FOUR GREAT PLACES OF PILGRIMAGE

Lumbini - Here the Tathagata was born!
This, Ananda, is a place that a pious man
should visit and look upon with feelings of
reverence.

Buddhagaya - Here the Tathagata became
fully enlightened, in unsurpassed, Supreme
Enlightenment! This, Ananda, is a place that
a pious man should visit and look upon with
feelings of reverence.

Sarnath -Here the Tathagata set rolling the
unexcelled Wheel of the Law! This, Ananda,
is a place that a pious man should visit and
look upon with feelings of reverence.

Kusinara: Here the Tathagata passed away
into Nibbana wherein the elements of
clinging do not arise! This, Ananda, is a
place that a pious man should visit and look
upon with feelings of reverence.

And whosoever, Ananda, should die on
such a pilgrimage, with his heart
established in faith, he at the breaking up
of the body, after death, will be reborn in
a realm of heavenly happiness.

Mahaparinibbana Sutta

Visiting a pilgrimage to the holy places mentioned by the Buddha, is a once-lifetime
undertaking. With so much time, money and effort involved, it is important to
understand what a pilgrimage is all about, especially the mental aspect. Pilgrimage is a
journey to sacred places as an act of devotion and faith. Thus the pilgrim is not an
ordinary tourist travelling for pleasure and enjoyment. The Buddha himself advised us
to visit those places and look upon them with feelings of reverence to purify ones
thought, speech and action. In this way, the pilgrim is endowed with the morality of
Right Thought, Right Speech and Right Action. So we can see that visiting the places of
pilgrimage with the correct mental attitude can help us in our practice of the Buddhas
Teaching.

It goes without saying that these four great places are virtual theatre where different
aspects of Lord Buddha's life are elaborated for the fortunate devotees to see and

Page||2

experience. So it is clear that what a devout can perceive of the entire life of Lord
Buddha in India, cannot be replicated anywhere else. The fragrance of the Lord Buddha
still lingers in India. It's only a question of visiting to experience it yourself.


From China came the devout and earnest Buddhist monks, like Fa Hsien (399AD-
414AD), Hsan Tsang (629-645 AD) and many others, who travelled great distances
braving immense hardships, perils, and even death to fulfill their desire to visit the holy
places. Another pilgrim, I-Ching, travelled India passing many days without food, even
without a drop of water. However, keeping up their morale and spirit under such
difficult conditions. In a attempt many died from sheer physical exhaustion or sickness,
and some had to leave their bones in desert-sands or somewhere out in India. Yet, in
spite of these difficulties, they never faltered nor wavered, such was their indomitable
spirit and desire to gaze on the sacred relics of their religion.

Therefore, let us consider ourselves very fortunate for being able to visit and such great
holy places without having to face hardship endured by other pilgrims.

I Summary Schedule

12 Night/13 Days trip to India
(from 03-15 November 2014)
Proposed tour routes





Delhi Agra Delhi Bodhgaya Rajgir

Nalanda Patna Vaishali Kushinagar

Lumbini Sarnath Varanasi Kolkata

Guwahati Delhi Taiwan/Singapoer

Page||3


II - Tour Itinerary

Day 1 : Nov 3
rd
| Arrival Delhi
Arrive Delhi international airport and agents representative will meet and greet guests there. He
will then take you for the city tour of Delhi. Depending upon the flight schedule sightseeing of
New Delhi that includes India Gate, Parliament & President House, Humayun's Tomb and drive
through the Diplomatic area. Check in the hotel for overnight in New Delhi.

Day 2: Nov 4
th
| Delhi Agra Delhi
Early morning Breakfast or pack break and drive to Agra. Reach Agra and agents English
speaking guide will meet the group and will take for the city tour of Agra - Taj Mahal, and Agra
Fort. Return back to Delhi in the evening and stay overnight.

Day 3 : Nov 5
th
| Delhi Bodhgaya

After breakfast, check out and may do some leftover sightseeing depending on time availability
and on consultation with guests. Later, transfer to the airport to board the flight to Bodhgaya.
Late afternoon arrive at Bodhgaya airport. Agents representative will assist the guests in getting
transferred to pre booked hotel. Check in, refresh and relax for a while. Evening visit to
Mahabodhi Temple main shrine for offering and prayer and circumambulate the temple. Return
and overnight at the hotel.


Day 4 : Nov 6
th
| Bodhgaya
Early morning - visit important places around Mahabodhi temple and circumambulate. After the
breakfast visit Sujata village and Dungeshwara cave. Afternoon visit 80 Feet Buddha
statue and temples around Bodhgaya. Evening lighting butter lamps, prayer and
circumambulating main temple. Overnight at hotel in Bodhgaya.




Page||4


Day 5 : Nov 7
th
| Bodhgaya Rajgir (77 kms/2 hrs) Nalanda (20
kms/ hr) Patna ( 95 kms/3 hrs)
Travel to Rajgir (Vishwa Shanti Stupa/Japanese temple), Girdhakuta, Bimbisara Jail, Saptaparni
caves, hot spring etc.). Drive to Nalanda and visit the Nalanda University ruins. Travel to Patna
and overnight at Patna. If time permit visit to Patna Museum.

Day 6 : Nov 8
th
|Patna Vaishali Kushinagar (230 kms/7-8 hrs)
After breakfast, check out and travel to Vaishali. Visit main Stupa for offering, prayer and
circumambulating. Visit Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Museum, walk around Vaishali and proceed to
Kushinagar. At Kushinagar visit Mahaparinirvana temple for offering, praying and
circumambulating. Overnight stay at Kushinagar

Day 7 : Nov 9
th
| Kushinagar Lumbini (170 kms/5 hrs)
After early breakfast, check out and visit Ramabhar stupa where Buddha was cremated. Visit
important temples for offering and prayer. Proceed to Lumbini. Reach Lumbini and check-in
hotel. Visit to main temple for offering, prayers and circumambulating temple.

Day 8 : Nov 10th | Lumbini Sarnath (306 km/ 7 hrs)
After breakfast, check out and visit other importance places around Lumbini. Proceed to
Saranath. Overnight at Saranath or Varanasi. If time permit visit Dharmek Stupa.

Day 09 : Nov 11
th
| Sarnath Varanasi Kolkata

After breakfast, check out and visit Dhamekh Stupa for offering, prayer and circumambulating.
Visit Sarnath Museum and Mulagandha Kuty Vihara. In the afternoon, visit river Ganga and get
transferred to the airport to board the flight to Kolkata.


At Kolkata, agents representative will receive the guest and transfer to pre booked hotel.
Overnight at Hotel in Kolkata.

Day 10 : Nov 12th | Kolkata Guwahati

Early morning check out and get transferred to Kolkata airport to board the flight to Guwahati.
Arrival in Guwahati and entire arrangement for 3 nights stay from 12 Nov, 2014 to 14 Nov, 2014

Page||5

will be taken care by Nangkor Tours and Travels, Bhutan.



Day 11 & 12 : Nov 12
th
13
th
14
th

Descending Day of Lord Buddha celebration in Bhutan.

Day 13 : Nov 15
th
| Guwahati Delhi Fly back home


Nangkor Tours and Travels (Bhutan) transfer the guests at Guwahati Airport and
board the flight from Guwahati airport for Delhi. Reach Delhi international airport for
boarding flight to their onward destination.



Page||6

III Places of interest to visit

LUMBINI ()

Maya Devi Temple
Lumbini (meaning "the lovely") is a Buddhist
pilgrimage site located in Nepal, near the Indian
border. It is the place where Maya Devi gave
birth to Buddha on the full-moon day of May, the
year 623 B.C. at the Lumbini Park. He was
named Siddhartha Gautam, meaning "wish
fulfilled." An Ashoka Pillar, built in 249 B.C.,
marks the exact spot where Buddha was born.

The Chinese monk Hiuen-Tsang visited in 7th
century C.E and mentioned this site in his travel
record. After the 14th Century, the place was neglected for almost 600 years until an
archaeological survey in 1896. More discoveries were made in the 1930s in a large
scale excavation at the site. Later, discovery of a broken Ashoka Pillar, an old
monastery, statues of Buddha's mother Maya Devi helped in establishing the true
identity of Lumbini.
The Puskarni pond is believed to be very holy
as the Queen Maya Devi took purification
bath after delivery of Buddha and also infant
Buddha was give purification bath in this
pond. According to Buddhist tradition,
previous Buddhas were born, achieved
enlightenment and died in Lumbini.
Therefore, the place is considered most holy
by all Buddhist. Further, there are several
holy sites to be visited within Lumbini.

Pushkarni Pond


BODHGAYA()
The most holy place for Buddhist as the Buddha enlightened at Bodhgaya under
Bodhi Tree. There are number of monasteries established by Buddhists of Japan,
Thailand, Myanmar, China, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Tibet. Hence, it is also a major
attraction for foreign tourists.

We can also visit Sujata village which is at the bank of River Naranza, place where
Buddha spent six years meditating prior to enlightenment. We can also visit
Dungeshwara cave where Buddha meditated during six years penance.


Page||7

Main Statue
The temple which 170ft high and 48 radius from base
is believed to be built by King Ashoka in 3
rd
century
AD. The gold plated of Buddha was built by Gupta
King in 4
th
century AD is located at the basement of
the temple.

The Chinese traveler Hiuen Tsiang visited the place in
7
th
century AD and recorded the presence of Bodhi
tree, Maha Bodhi Temple, several stupas and other
structure.
The structure remained covered with flood
soil for several years and later in 1883 a
British archeologist, Cunningham and
Indian Dr. Rajendra Lal jointly restored
this temple complex. Later this temple
complex was believed to be occupied by
Hindu community and in around 1890s
Anagarika Dharmapala with the support
from other Buddhist countries managed
to reclaim back and UNESCO declared
Mahabodhi Temple as a world heritage in
2002.
Mahabodhi Temple
Bodhi Tree
Sakya Prince Siddhartha attained the supreme
enlightenment and became Lord Buddha under this
Bodhi tree at the age of 35. After the enlightenment
Lord Buddha spent 1
st
week sitting under this tree.
However, the present tree is 4
th
generation offspring
of the original Bodhi Tree. 1
st
generation tree was
nearly destroyed by King Ashokas queen in 3
rd

century BC, but revived. Second time in 7
th
century
AD, King Sashank Verman from central Bengal tried
to harm the tree. However, Magadh King Purna
Verma restored it. Third time, in 1870 the tree was
damaged by heavy storm. In 1881 AD,
famous British general Cunningham brought an ancestor plant of this ancient tree
from Anuradhpur, Sri Lanka planted and planted here.

Page||8

At Animesh Lochan Stupa, Lord Buddha
spent 2
nd
week after his enlightenment,
looking at the Bodhi Tree continuously for
7 days without closing his eye in a deep
divine pleasure state, out of gratitude to
the tree for providing him with shelter.

In memory of this divine state, we now see
an ancient stupa here with inscription
and figure on it.

Animesh Lochan Stupa

Chankraman Asthal
At Chankraman Asthal Lord Buddha spent
the 3
rd
week after his enlightenment. Entire
week was spent walking to-&-fro at this holy
place. In memory of this divine state, we can
see stone structure. There are 19 lotus prints
on this structure in memory of the footprints
of Lord Buddha while in walking state.
Lord Buddha spent 4
th
week at Ratanghar after
enlightenment. During meditation, a holy light of
five colours spread in the whole atmosphere
which came from Buddhas body. Each colour
represented one noble quality of the Buddha:
yellow for holiness, white for purity, blue for
confidence, red for wisdom and orange for
desirelessness. The mixed colour represented all
these noble qualities. In memory of this divine
state, we find statue of Lord Buddha in
meditation posture.
Ratanghar

Azpal Tree
Lord Buddha spent 5
th
week under the Azpal
Tree following his enlightenment. Buddha
spent entire week in meditation state.

Page||9

Following the enlightenment Lord Buddha spent his 6
th

week in sitting posture. The snake king named
Muchalind living in this tank protected Lord Buddha
from heavy storm and rain sent by evil forces. In the
memory of this divine state, we can see Buddha statue
protected by snake king. We can also find Ashoka pillar
near the pond.
Muchalind Tank
Rajayatan
Following the enlightenment, Lord Buddha
spent his 7
th
week at this place. Two merchants
from Burma (the present Myanmar) named
Tapassu and Bhallik passing by this place
offered meal to Lord Buddha. In return Lord
Buddha gave his hairs relic now called Kesa
Datu which still remain in the Shwedagon
Pagoda in Rangoon as most precious Buddhist
relic.
This Ashoka pillar was built by King Ashoka in 3
rd

century AD. This pillar marks importance of Buddhist
site. Such pillars are found in almost all important
Buddhist sites in India. It is believed that Buddhas
mortal relics have been divided among the 8 important
patrons of Buddha who built relic stupas at their
respective places. It is believe that King Ashokas pillars
also contain some relics and there to be revered.

Ashoka Pillar

Sujata Ghar
Sujatas place stands nearby famous river Naranza. It is
believe that Lord Buddha came to this village after 6
years of Penance. Knowing that extreme practice doesnt
bring much success decided to follow middle path.
Accordingly, Lord Buddha accepted rice boiled in milk
from village girl called Sujata in this place. Seeing the
breaking of long penance the main 5 followers of Lord
Buddha him behind.
Dungeswari Cave It is believe that Lord
Buddha meditated in this cave during
his six years great penance. It is in this
cave (Dungeshwari) that he realized that
fasting and mortifying the flesh will not
bring him enlightenment or divine
knowledge. This cave was the Mahakala
(Dungeswari) cave.

Dungeswari Cave


Page||10

RAJGIR() & NALANDA ()
After the first sermon at Sarnath, Lord Buddha gave
second sermon at Girdhakuta. Lord Buddhas patron
king Bimbisara was converted to Buddhism in this
holy place. It is also said that Buddha gave teaching
during rainy seasons and there are natural caves used
by Lord Buddha and his chief disciples. The main
teaching given by Lord Buddha was on
Prajnaparamita.

Girdhakuta

Jeevak Amravan Vihar
This place has been gifted to chief courtesan Jeevak by
King Bimbisara who was also Kings physician. Jeevak
treated Lord Buddha when he was hurt by his cousin
Devdutt. Later on Jeevak offered to Lord Buddha and his
followers for their convenience.
According to the historical sources, King Ajatshatru
kept his father Bimbisara in a small prison inside this
fort around 6 century BC. King Bimbisara chose this
place in the last years of his life so that he can see
Lord Buddha going to Girdhakuta every morning.
Archaeological remains found during excavation
include small rooms of stone, huge iron chain which
had a ring on one end. It is believed that this might
have used as hand cuff. The king Bimbisara was a
good and pious ruler but, due to his past bad karma,

Fort of Ajatshatru & Bimbisara Jail
he had to face an untimely and miserable death caused by his son's wickedness.
Hot Spring - It is believed that in order to take bathe
Lord Buddha caused hot spring to appear. Men far
and near flock here to take holy bathe, after which
those who have suffered from diseases and chronic
affliction are often healed.


Saptaparni Cave
Saptaparni Cave Six month after the nirvana of Lord
Buddha, the first Buddhist Council was held here. The
council was attended by 500 monks.The Lord Buddhas
teachings were first put to writing at this holy place.
Therefore, this place is very sacred for Buddhist
pilgrimage.
Venuvan This place was the first gift to Lord Buddha
from King Bimbisaras side. According to historical
records, Lord Buddha spent here for very long period
of time.


Page||11

Venuvan
Nalanda - Though the Buddha visited Nalanda several
times during his lifetime, this famous center of
Buddhist learning shot to fame much later, during
5th-12th centuries. In this first international
university of the world, 2,000 teachers and 10,000
monks students from all over the Buddhist world lived
and studied here. The Chinese Monk Hsan Tsang who
travelled and admitted at Nalanda said that admission
was based on merit in which the gate-keeper, a
responsible officer of considerable learning, would ask
some difficult questions and the candidate had to
answer them to his satisfaction. Normally, out of ten
candidates, seven or eight would fail this screening

Nalanda University
test. However, Hsan Tsang managed to get through King Ashoka and King
Harshavardhana were some of its most celebrated patrons who built temples,
monasteries and viharas at Nalanda. Several renown Mahayana masters like
Nagarjuna, Arayadeva, Shantidevi, Naropa and many other studied, taught, resided
and spread Buddhism to many parts of world. Later around 12t 13
th
century AD,
Muslim invasion destroyed the university. The excavation and restoration started from
1951.



Page||12


VAISHALI()

supposed to be very prosperous
city which was built around 5
th

century BC. The Vaishali had
best constitution and Buddha
had greatly admired and
borrowed a good deal from it to
run his religious order. Legend
has it that on one of Buddhas
visits, several monkeys dug up
a tank for his comfortable stay
and offered him a bowl of
honey. Buddha had regarded
the incidence as approaching of


Vaishali
nirvana. Accordingly, the Buddha preached his last sermon at Vaishali. During
Buddhas departure from Vaishali to Kusinagar, the people of Vaishali knowing that
this last chance for them to see Lord Buddha came a long way wailing, lamenting to
bid him farewell. Buddha had to create a magical river to stop people coming further.
Buddha once again paused to have a last glance of his much loved city. As a piety for
Vaishali, Buddha gave his begging bowl which remain here for long time.

From 1958 1962 archeological excavation were carried out and the Licchavi Stupa
came into light. The relic casket containing Buddhas ash, conch, piece of beads and
golden leave was discovered within the stupa. The relic has been later in 1972 moved
to Patna museum. Further, the Second Buddhist Council was held in Vaishali about
110 years later. We can also visit Ashoka Pillar and Vishwa Shanti Stupa which is 146
feet is claimed to be highest Buddha Stupa in the world built by Indosan Niponji,
Japan.


SARNATH()

Dharmek Stupa
After the enlightenment and upon hearing that Buddhas
masters were passed away he travelled to Sarnath looking
for his 5 disciples and met in Sarnath. Other reasons for
travelling very far (240km) from Bodhgaya to Sarnath to
turn first Wheel of Dharma were - The past Buddhas
turned Wheel of Dharma in Sarnath and also due to its
immediacy to the world renowned city of Kashi or
Varanasi, the then hub of scholarly and cultural activities.

With his five disciples the concept of Sangha came into
existence.

Page||13

Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths and prescribed the Eight-fold path. An imposing
conical structure, 34 meters in height, called Dhamek stupa signifies the "seat of the
holy Buddha."

There are remains dating as far back as the 3rd century B.C. when Emperor Ashoka
founded various institutions, stupas, monasteries and pillar edicts. It is important to
visit the Dhamekh stupa which signifies the place where Buddha delivered his first
teachings in the form of the Four Noble Truths. It is also worth visiting museum
housing numerous sculptures comprising numerous Buddha and Bodhisattva images.
It also has the finest specimens of Buddhist art.
Dharmarajika Stupa was built by Asoka to enshrine
the relics of Lord Buddha. As per available records this
hug structure was unfortunately pulled down by Jagat
Singh, a diwan of Raja Chet Singh during 1794A.D. in
order to exploit building materials. In this tragic event a
relic casket of green marble inside a stone box was
discovered. The box is preserved in the Indian museum,
Kolkatta, where as the casket was thrown into river
Ganges. Later on during archaeological excavations,
image of Bodhisattva and an image of seated Buddha
were found.


Dharmarajika Stupa

Mulagandha Kuti Vihar - The older version of
Mulagandha Kuti Vihar lies in ruins today. According to
Hieun Tsang, the Chinese monk, it was about 61 meter
high and that is the place where Buddha rested and
meditated in Sarnath.


KUSHINAGAR ()

Mahaparinirvana Temple
This place is famed for its association with Lord Buddha
who is believed to have attained Maharparinivana- the
highest stage of salvation. It was in 1861 that extensive
excavations at the site led to the resurfacing of the main
Stupas related to Buddha.

The most important places to be visited are Mahanirvana
Temple featuring a six meters long statue of Buddha in a

Page||14

reclining position and the statue is a representation of
Buddha in his last hours and Ramabhar Stupa
estimated to be about 50 feet tall, is famed as the site
where Lord Buddha was cremated. Most of the
religious structures were constructed between 3rd
century BC and the 5th century AD. According to
Mahaparinibbana Sutta of Digha Nikaya, Drona, the
Brahman distributed the mortal remain of Lord

Reclining Buddha
Buddha as below:
King Ajatshatru of Magadh (Rajgir)
The Mallas of Kushinagar (U.P)
The Mallas of Pawa (Bihar)
The Brahman of Vetha Dipa (Bihar)
The Bulis of Alakappa(Bihar)
The Sakyas of Kapilvastu (U.P)
The Koliyas of Ramagram (Nepal)
The Republic of Licchavi of Vaishali (Bihar)

As per the Buddhist literature, the King Ashoka during his rein from 273 BC 329
BC, he collected mortal of Lord Buddha from 7 stupas (relic casket), except the one
in Nepal and divided into 84,000 parts and built several Ashoka Pillars and Ashoka
Stupas on the path of Lord Buddha starting from Lumbini to Kushinagar.

There are also beautiful temples built by Japanese, Chinese and Thai worth visiting.