Buddhism came into being in northeastern India, during the period from the late 6th century to the early 4th century BC, a period of great social change and intense religious activity. It was Siddhartha Gautama, born a prince 2,500 years ago in Lumbini, renounced his royal heritage, and as a young man, sat under a tree in Bodhgaya determined to find a way to transcend suffering. He recognized that all of the world's problems begin with a fundamental ignorance that causes beings to misunderstand the true nature of reality. Because of this, they engage in actions that lead to their own suffering and fail to recognize what leads to happiness.
Suggested Itinerary: 7 Days
Day 01: Kathmandu. Arrival at Tribhuwan International Airport in Kathmandu. A traditional warm welcome by our airport representative. Briefing about the package in the hotel. Rest time at Leisure. Evening typical welcome dinner.
Day 02: Kathmandu-Dhulikhel. We start our pilgrimage tour with a visit to Swoyambhunath Stupa one of the most important centers of Buddhist learning in Nepal. The stupa is located on top of a hill overlooking Kathmandu valley. From here we visit Bodhnath stupa, possibly the largest stupa in the world and the center of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal.
In the afternoon we take a 45 minute drive to Namobuddha, situated atop a hill near the old town of Dhulikhel. This place is celebrated as the meditation site of Nama Buddha, a Buddha incarnate of ancient times. There is also a legend that the incarnate offered a starving tigress about to devour a helpless child his own limbs so that both the tigress and the child might be saved. Overnight at Dhulikhel.
Day 03: Dhulikhel-Kathmandu. After breakfast we drive to Patan famous for its arts and crafts. Pilgrimage highlights are Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, a beautiful monastery and Mahaboudha, a replica of the Mahabodhi temple in Bodhgaya. From here we visit the Tibetan cultural center first founded by the Tibetan refugees of the late fifties and now an exhibition-cum-shopping complex of carpets, jewelery and many interesting souvenirs. Come back to hotel in Kathmandu.
Day 04: Kathmandu-Bhairahawa-Lumbini. We take the flight to the southern border city of Bhairahawa. Here we''ll be met by our guides and driven 21 km. (13 miles) to the west to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha. We then take our pilgrimage tour of Lumbini Gardens where Lord Buddha was born. Temple of Maya Devi, Buddha''s mother depicting the nativity scene of Buddha and the Ashoka Pillar, built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka to mark his pilgrimage to Lumbini in 240 B.C. are the highlights here.
Day 05: Lumbini-Tilaurakot-Lumbini. Today we take an excursion to Tilaurakot (27 kms or 17 miles) to the west, the ancient capital of Kapilavastu, the kingdom of the Sakya dynasty in which family Lord Buddha was born. The ruin of a palace is found here which clearly shows the gate through which Lord Buddha walked out of his palace renouncing all worldly possessions in the quest for Niravana. We return to Lumbini/Bhairahawa after the full-day excursion and spend the night hotel in Lumbini.
Day 06: Lumbini-Kathmandu. We drive to Bhairahawa after breakfast and catch the flight back to Kathmandu. We have the rest of the day free for shopping and walking around the interesting streets of Kathmandu. Evening farewell dinner. We spend the night in Kathmandu at a hotel.
Day 07: Drop you to the kathamndu international airport for your onward destination. |
