Golden Triangle with Bodha
Duration : 12Nights / 13 Days
Places to Visit : Delhi –- Jaipur – Agra – Varanasi – Bodhgaya
– Delhi
Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
Company representatives will receive you on arrival at the international airport
in Delhi late in the evening. Transfer to hotel for overnight stay. DELHI, the
capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating
blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite
culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Day 02: Delhi
After breakfast, full day city tour of old & modern capital of India.
Visit Jama Masjid, the largest mosque in India. Built by Shah Jahan, the construction
was started in 1844 and was not completed until 1658 ; visit Red Fort ( from
out side only, as it is not permitted to visit from inside due to security
reason ), which was also built by Shah Jehan. This massive fort was built
from 1638 to 1648 ; Chandni Chowk and Rajghat - the cremation site of Mahatma
Gandhi. Witness the India Gate, the Presidents House & the Parliament.
Visit Humayun's Tomb : built in mid 16th century this is an early example
of Mughal architecture; Qutab Minar. The tour ends with a visit to Laxmi Narayan
Temple (Birla Mandir). Dinner & overnight stay at hotel.
Day 03: Delhi –Jaipur (By Road 265 km/5 hr)
Breakfast at hotel. Sight seeing of Pushkar and straight drive to Jaipur.
JAIPUR - The origins of the beautiful city of Jaipur can be traced back to
the eighteenth century, during the reign of Jai Singh II who ascended the
Amber throne in 1699. Jaipur today, epitomizes the spirit of Rajputana. In-spite
of growing into a bustling metropolis, it still retains it's character and
history - A beautiful fusion of the yesteryears and modernity. Popularly known
as the Pink City because of the extensive use of the locally abundant pink
plastered stone, painted so in honor of the visit of the royal consort of
Queen Victoria. Jaipur thrills the soul with its massive forts, magnificent
palaces, exquisite temples and lush gardens.Afternoon , proceed for sightseeing
of the city. CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal and traditional Rajasthani
architecture, the City Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the
walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri Govind Dev Temple and the City
Palace Museum JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the best preserved of
the five observatories built by Jai Singh II in different parts of the country.
This observatory consisting of outsized astronomical instruments is still
in use. HAWA MAHAL - The ornamental facade of this "Palace of Winds"
is a prominent landmark in Jaipur. Its five-storey structure of sandstone
plastered pink encrusted with fine trelliswork and elaborate balconies. The
palace has 953 niches and windows. Built in 1799 by Pratap Singh, the Mahal
was a royal grandstand for the palace women. Visit a rug factory and see the
ladies at the intricate work or a gem factory and see the gem cutting and
polishing process.
Overnight stay at Jaipur.
Day 04: Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for excursion to Amber Fort in the outskirts of
Jaipur. Elephant ride ascent to the fort AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the
classic romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction was started by Man
Singh I in 1592, and completed by his descendent Jai Singh I. It's forbidding
exterior belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of Mughal and Hindu
styles finds it's ultimate expression. Jaipur is considered as a shoppers
paradise for Textile & Jewelers. Afternoon, free time will be given for
shopping . Overnight stay at Jaipur.
Day 05: Jaipur – Agra ( 250 Kms / 6 hours
Breakfast at Hotel, drive to Jaipur en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri built
by emperor Akbar in 1569 and later abandoned due to scarcity of water. Lunch
on the way.
On arrival at Agra , Check inn at hotel . Overnight stay at Agra
Day 06: Agra – Varanasi ( Overnight train )
After breakfast the highlight of the day - The Taj Mahal, which was constructed
by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Contruction of the Taj began
in 1631 and was not completed until 1653. later on proceed for remaining sight
seeing of Agra , which include, Red fort, which was built by Emperor Akbar
in 1565, and additions were made up until the time of his grandson, Shah Jahan.
It contains the hall of public and private audiences amongst many other beautiful
structues; Itmad-ud-daulah, which was contructed by Nur Jahan between 1622
and 1628 and is very similar to the tomb she constructed for her husband,
Jehangir, near Lahore in Pakistan; Departure Transfer to Agra Railway station
to catch a overnight train to Varanasi.
Overnight on Train ( Air condition Sleeper Class is available)
Day 07: Varanasi
On arrival at Varanasi at early morning hours , our reperesentative will take
you to hotel, Check Inn . After lunch visit Sarnath. Sarnath: 12 km from Varanasi
lies Sarnath, where Lord Buddha preached his first sermon and revealed the
eight fold path that leads to the attainment of inner peace,and elightenment.
Overnight stay at Varanasi.
Day 08: Varanasi
Morning boat ride tour at river Gangas, return to hotel for breakfast. Later
on Proceed for full day sight seeing and overnight stay at Varanasi. Varanasi
is an important and sacred pilgrimage center for Hindus and a major tourist
attraction. It is situated on the banks of river Ganga. The word Varanasi
has been derived from an ancient name meaning the city between two rivers
- the Varuna and Asi, which flow in the north and south of the city. Varanasi
is also known as Kashi and Benares.Varanasi, one of the ancient seats of learning
in India, is a center of learning even to this date. Glorified by myth and
legend and sanctified by religion, it has always attracted a large number
of pilgrims and worshippers from times immemorial. Vishwanath Temple: This
is one of the most sacred temples in Varanasi and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
The temple has skillfully been restored as the actual temple was destroyed
by MughulsLater in the evening visit the Ganga river Ghat to see” Arti
“ Puja
Overnight stay at Varanasi.
Day 09: Varanasi – Bodhgaya ( 6 to 7 Hours)
Early breakfast at hotel , later drive to Bodhgaya. On arrival Check Inn at
Hotel. Sight seeing as per you wish ( you can make your own program as per
your requirement ) Overnight stay at Bodhgaya. Serene and quiet this tiny
little village, holiest among holy places is Bodhgaya, Where the quest of
Prince Siddharth was fulfilled after years of seeking the truth and the saga
of Buddha began. He attained the supreme enlightenment and became 'The Buddha',
the enlightened one. Thus Buddhism was born here under the Peepal Tree. The
Prince had been wandering in search of supreme peace for long six years hither
and thither. But it was at Bodhgaya only where his holy mission was achieved.
Bodhgaya has naturally developed into the most sacred spot for Buddhists from
all over the world, especially affluent south East Asia. Lying in sylvan solitude
this sacred place is situated on the bank of river Niranjana (Modern Falgu).
It is 13 km. from Gaya town. Gaya is an important Centre of 'Hindu Pilgrimage'
where people go to offer oblations for the salvation of their dead forefathers.
THE BODHI TREE : At the western side of the Mahabodhi Stupa in Bodhgaya stands
the large and historic Bodhi Tree under which Shakyamuni Buddha, then known
as Gautama, attained enlightenment some 2540 years ago. Mahabodhi Temple :The
Mahabodhi Temple stands east to the Bodhi Tree. Its architectural effect is
superb. its basement is 48 square feet and it rises in the form of a slender
Pyramid, till it reaches its neck, which is cylindrical in shape. The total
height of the temple is 170 feet and on the top of the temple are Chatras
which symbolise sovereignty of religion. Four towers on its four corners rise
gracefully giving the holy sturcture a poise and balance. This sacred edifice
is like a grand banner unfurled by time to proclaim to the world the pious
efforts of the Buddha to solve the knots of human miseries to ascend above
worldly problems and to attain transcedental peace through wisdom, good conduct
and disciplined life.
Day 10: Bodhgaya ( Rajgir – Nalanda) – Bodhgaya
Early breakfast at hotel , Full day excursion of Rajgir & Nalanda. Later
on drive back to Bodhgaya. Overnight stay at Bodhgaya. Rajgir : The Buddha
lived in the sixth century BC. Mahavir was born in 567 BC and the traveller
in Bihar will encounter them both constantly. Rajgir is 10km south of Nalanda
and sacred to the memory of the founder of both Buddhism and Jainism. Lord
Buddha spent many months of retreat during the rainy season here, and used
to meditate and preach on Griddhkuta, the 'Hill of the Vultures'. Lord Mahavir
spent fourteen years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda. It was in Rajgriha
that Lord Buddha delivered some of his famous sermons and converted king Bimbisara
of the Magasha Kingdom and countless others to his creed. Once a great city,
Rajgir is just a villagetoday, but vestiges of a legendary and historical
past remain, like the cyclopean wall that encircles the town and the marks
engraved in rock that local folklore ascribes to Lord Krishna's chariot. This
legend, like many others associates Rajgir to that distant time when the stirring
events recorded in the epic Mahabharata were being enacted. Rajgir is located
in a verdant valley surrounded by rocky hills. Nalanda : Where ruins of the
great ancient university have been excavated, is situated at a distance of
90 km. south east of Patna by road. It falls on way to Rajgir. It is also
linked by rail with Patna, Rajgir and Bakhtiyarpur (on Delhi-Howrah main track).
Hieun Tsang, the renowned Chinese traveller of the seventh century, says that
according to tradition the place owed its name to a Naga of the same name
which resided in a local tank. But he thinks it more probable that Lord Buddha,
in one of his previous births as Bodhisatwa, became a king with his capital
at this place and that his liberality won for him and his capital the name
Nalanda or "Charity without intermission". The third theory about
the name of the place is that it derived from Nalam plus da. Nalam means lotus
which is a symbol for knowledge and Da means given the place had many lotuses.
Day 11: Bodhgaya
Breakfast at Hotel. Full day free for your own program at Bodhgaya , Overnight
stay .
Day 12: Bodhgaya –( Patna )– Delhi
Breakfast at Hotel. Later on Drive to Patna ( around 3 hours drive) for departure
Transfer to
Airport to fly Delhi.
Flight No. :S2 115 ( Sahara Airways)
Departure at Patna : 14:55 hours
Arrival Delhi at : 17:25 AM ( one stop over)
On arrival at Delhi , our representative will transfer you to Hotel, Check
Inn . Overnight stay
at Delhi.
Day 13 : Delhi – Departure
Breakfast at Hotel. Later on transfer to International Airport to board flight
to your
onward destination
Golden Triangle with Bodha
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