Excursion to Patan and Bhaktapur.

 Patan, once an independent Kingdom, lies only a few kilometers south of Kathmandu, but is quite different in atmosphere. Patan’s Durbar Square contains some of the finest Newari urban architecture in all of Nepal as well as Hindu and Buddhist monuments.

Bhaktapur, founded in 889, was once capital of the whole Valley. As well as an impressive Durbar Square and numerous temples, Bhaktapur is famous for its pottery – whole streets are filled with pieces of all shapes and sizes set in the sun to dry.

Day 3 and 4  – fly to Pokhara (half hour) and savour the most mesmerizing views of glorious Manaslu and snow-capped Annapurna mountain range. Stay at Shangrila.

The Pokhara Valley is one of the most picturesque spots of Nepal. The beauty of the valley is enhanced by its lakes Phewa, Begnas and Rupa which have their source in the glacial region of the Annapurna range of the Himalayas. Pokhara is situated 200 km west of Kathmandu at an altitude of 900m  only from the sea level. For the mountain viewers Pokhara offers the magnificent views of Machhapuchre (fishtail shape), 5 peaks of Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Himalchuli and others. Pokhara is one the few places in the world to provide such  dramatic views in a subtropical setting.

Day 5 and 6 – Drive to Chitwan (approx 5 hours). Stay at Tiger Tops.

Safari to Royal Chitwan National Park , habitat of the Asiatic one horned rhino and one of the last refuges of the Bengal Tiger. It  also has a particularly rich flora and fauna.

Day 7 – Drive to Lumbini (approx 4 hours), the birthplace of Buddha. Stay at Buddha Maya Garden.

The birthplace of the Gautam Buddha, Lumbini, is the Mecca of every Buddhist, being one of the four holy places of Buddhism. It is said in the Parinibbana Sutta that Buddha himself identified four places of future pilgrimage: the sites of his birth, enlightenment, first discourse, and death. All of these events happened outside in nature under trees. While there is not any particular significance in this, other than it perhaps explains why Buddhists have always respected the environment and natural law.

Lumbini has since  been a holy ground for Buddhists all over the world. The restored gardens and surroundings of Lumbini have the remains of many of the ancient stupas and monasteries. A large stone pillar erected by the Indian emperor Ashoka in 250 BC bears an inscription about the birth of the Buddha.

An important part of Lumbini is the temple of Mayadevi. It has a stone image of Mayadevi giving birth to Lord Buddha as she holds on to a branch. It has been well worn by the strokes of barren women hoping for fertility. To the south of the temple is a pool where Queen Mayadevi is said to have bathed and given her son his first purification bath.

A quiet garden, shaded by the leafy Bo tree (the type under which Buddha received enlightenment) and a newly planted forest nearby lend an air of tranquility, which bespeaks Buddha’s teachings.

An important archeological site near Lumbini, Kapilvastu evokes the ancient palace where Lord Buddha spent his formative years. Scattered foundations of the palace are abundant, and archeologists have by now discovered 13 successive layers of human habitation dating back to the eighth century BC. A must for archeological and historical buffs. Besides its religious and historical significance, Lumbini offers cultural insights into village life of southern Nepal.

Day 8 -  Drive across the border to Kushinagar (India) )approx 4 hours) .  Stay at Royal Residency.  Sightseeing.

In Kushinagar, after teaching Dhamma for 45 yrs, Lord Buddha entered into Mahaparinirvana (passed away) under a sal tree at the age of 80 yrs on full moon day. It is here that Lord Buddha announced the four holy places to be visited by every Buddhist pilgrim,  Lumbini- Birth place, Bodhgaya- Enlightenment place, Sarnath- First Sermon place & Kushinagar- Mahaparinirvana place.

It is here in Kushinagar after his entering into Mahaparinirvana his body was cremated and the ashes (remains) were divided into eight parts and distributed among eight claimants who enshrined the remains in their kingdoms and built stupas.

Visit the Mahaparinirvana Temple, housing  the world famous reclining statue of Buddha. It is the most important site to visit in Kushinagar. The 20ft long statue is seated on a brick platform. You will also find ruins of as many as eight monasteries, which are scattered around the main site. The remains of two monasteries Mahaparinirvana Vihara and Makutabandhara Vihara are especially renowned.

Also visit  Wat Thai Kusinara, the  mini-city  established by the Thais. Built on an area of about 10 acres, it encompasses small huts, a school, a library and hospitals. Thai people come here every year to perform various kinds of services.

Day 9  and 10 – Drive to Varanasi (approx 6 hours). Stay at the Taj Ganges.  Sightseeing including boat ride on the river Ganges, rickshaw ride through the town and witness the evening  Aarti ceremony at the banks of the holy river. Excursion to Sarnath.

The oldest living city in the world, it is today the most important place of pilgrimage for Hindus, and the sight of devout Hindus praying, standing waist deep in water is a moving experience. Varanasi has been a seat of learning from time immemorial. It was at nearby Sarnath that the Buddha preached his first sermon.

Sarnath  is the site where Buddha delivered his first sermon to his five disciples, preaching the middle path for attaining 'Nirvana'. Realizing 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 main things to see are Ashoka's pillar, the ruins of the Mulagandhakuti and the huge Dharmek Stupa.

Further to the east is the modern Mulagandhakuti Vihara with its beautiful wall paintings and behind it the Deer Park. The Sarnath Museum houses some of the greatest treasures of Indian Buddhist art and should not be missed. Ashoka's lion capital and the beautiful Teaching Buddha are amongst the most beautiful sculptures ever made.

Day 11  and 12 – Drive to Bodhgaya (approx 6 hours)  famous as  the place of Buddha's  Enlightenment. Sightseeing including Mahabodhi temple. Stay at the Royal Residency.

For Buddhists, Bodh Gaya is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautam Buddha.

 The main tourist attraction in Bodhgaya is the Mahabodhi temple, housing a large gilded image of Buddha. . The original Bodhi tree under which Buddha gained enlightenment had died, but the present tree is a descendant of the original tree. The red sandstone slab under this tree is said to be the throne on which Buddha sat.. A number of countries like Japan, Burma, China, Sri Lanka, Korea, Nepal, etc., where Buddhism is an important faith, have built their respective monasteries and temples in Bodhgaya. Theses monasteries and temples offer a different architectural styles of these countries.

Day 13 – Drive to Patna (approx 3 hours), visit Rajgir and Nalanda en route. Stay at Maurya Hotel.

Set amidst a verdant valley surrounded by rocky hills,  Rajgir is religiously significant to both Buddhism and Jainism and  Hinduism as well. It was in Rajgir that Lord Buddha delivered some of his famous sermons and converted King Bimbisara of the Magadha Kingdom and countless others to his creed.

The site of Nalanda was one of the greatest monastic universities of the ancient world.  Lord Mahavira and the Buddha both taught here.

Patna,  situated on the banks of the holy river Ganga,  has the fortuity of being visited by Lord Buddha, when he had to cross the mighty river on his last journey to Kushinagar. It also serves as an entry point for most of the Buddhist destinations located in Bihar. 

One of the major attractions of the city, for Buddhists , is the Patna Museum. The museum boasts of an amazing collection of Buddhist art, dating back to somewhere around 8th century AD to 12th century AD. The most magnificent pieces of art consist of the statues of Avalokitesvara and Maitreya. Apart from that, the city also houses some large pillars and the foundations of a Buddhist Monastery, known as Anand.

Day 14 and 15  – fly to Kolkata (Calcutta). Stay at the Oberoi Grand. Sightseeing including Victoria Memorial, Birla Planetarium, Indian Museum, Jain temple, Botanical gardens, Kali Temple at Belur Math,

Day 16 – flight to onward destination.