The Nepal and India Buddhist tour is designed for those seeking to follow in the footsteps of Buddha and also known as Buddhist circuit tour. Nepal, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is a popular destination for Buddhist pilgrims. The Boudhanath stupa and Swayambhunath stupa, the largest stupas of Buddha in the Kathmandu valley, are among the most popular Buddhist sites to visit in one's lifetime. After a couple of days visiting Buddhist sites in Kathmandu, we will take you to the birthplace of Lord Buddha and the greatest Buddhist site, Lumbini. You will spend a couple of nights in Lumbini, where we will cover all the monasteries and historical places of Lumbini during the tour.
After visiting the Buddhist sites in Nepal, you will be transferred to India, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment and parinirvana. The tour will cover Sravasti, Vaishali, Kushinagar, Nalanda, Rajgir, Bodhgaya, Sarnath, and finally end at Varanasi. The major highlights of the Nepal India Buddhist tour in India are Bodhgaya (where Lord Buddha was enlightened), Rajgir (where Gautam Buddha meditated for several months), Kushinagar (the last place of Lord Buddha), and Sarnath. This tour provides a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the Buddhist culture of Nepal and India and follow in the footsteps of Buddha.
Please find some importance notes about India-Nepal Buddhist circuit tour and covered places;
Lumbini (The birthplace): Located in southern Nepal, Lumbini is the birthplace of Prince Siddhartha, where Queen Mayadevi gave birth to him. Lumbini is situated near the Shakya capital of Kapilavastu, and is considered a significant pilgrimage center. The sacred garden at Lumbini houses several important sites, including the Mayadevi temple, the Pashkarni pond, and the Ashoka pillar.
Bodhgaya (Enlightenment): Bodhgaya in Bihar is the location where Prince Siddhartha achieved Enlightenment (nirvana) under the Bodhi tree after meditating for 49 days. He transitioned from being a bodhisattva (mentor) to becoming Lord Buddha, the Enlightened One.
Sarnath (First sermon): Sarnath, located around 10 km from the ancient holy city of Varanasi, is where Lord Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. Here, he established his first disciples (Sangha) to promote his new doctrine. The magnificent Dhamekha Stupa at Sarnath, originally built by King Ashoka, and the famous lion capital pillar are well-known landmarks of the region.
Kushinagar (Parinirvana): In 543 BC, Lord Buddha passed away due to illness in Kushinagar. His remains were preserved in eight commemorative Chortens, which were then distributed by King Ashoka to over 84,000 stupas across his kingdom and beyond as a mark of respect and reverence.
As the tour covers most highlighted places where lord Buddha spend his lifespan, we can name this trip “Complete India Nepal Buddhist tour”.
Nepal and India Buddhist circuit tour highlights
- Kathmandu valley, visit old heritage Buddhist sites around Kathmandu valley and enjoy Himalayan panorama from Namobuddha
- Lumbini, the birth place of Lord Buddha is a major Buddhist pilgrimage site in the world
- Sravasti city ruins located on the banks of Rapti river, Angulimala'sstupa, Anathapindika'sstupa, and the Jetavana monastery
- Kushinagar, the Mahaparinirvana Stupa, which is built on the place of Buddha's Great Nirvana
- Visit Mahabodhi Temple and the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya
- Visit Sarnath, the buried Buddhist city where Buddha gave his first sermon
