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 Reservation Form
