Lumbini Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

Day 1: Kathmandu to Lumbini (Birthplace of Buddha)

Highlights: Visiting Ramagram and Devdaha Kudan + Buddha Birth place – Maya Devi Temple + Temples arounds

07.00am: Breakfast at hotel.

08.00am: Pick up from hotel and depart to Kathmandu airport to catch your flight to Lumbini at 9.30am.

09.30am: Fly to Lumbini.

10.05am: Arrive at Lumbini – Bhairahawa Airport.

10.15am: Pick up and begin the sightseeing. You will visit:

• Devadaha – Devadaha is the famous ancient capital of Koliya Kingdom. It is the maternal hometown of queen Maya Devi, Prajapati and princess Yasodhara. The site is situated at about 57km northeast of Lumbini and is well connected by the Mahendra Highway. We can observe many archaeological and historical Kumarvarti, Khayardada, Bairimai-Kanyamai, Bhangawanipur/Devidamar, Kotahimai, the Rohini River, and the Telar River.
• Ramagrama – The Koliyas obtained one of the eight parts of the Buddha’s relic which they enshrined here and built a magnificent stupa and worshipped for a long time. Buddhists say that Asoka wanted to open and obtain the Buddha’s relic to build 8400 minor stupas throughout his vast empire. However, the emperor did not touch the precious relic out of the request made by Dragon king and people of Ramagrama. This surviving single original relic stupa standing 7 metres high on the bank of the Jharahi River is the most important stupa of its kind in the whole world.

NOTE: Lunch en route at own expense. After visiting Devdaha and Ramagram, we will drive to Lumbini.

05.00pm: Arrive at Lumbini hotel. Check in and rest and relax till dinner time.

07.00pm: Return to hotel. Tour ends. Free & easy. NOTE: Dinner at own expense at your hotel or outside of hotel.

Day 2: Tilaurakot, Gotihawa, Kudan and surroundings

Highlights: Visiting Tilaurakot, Gotihawa, Niglihawa, Sagarhawa, Araurakot, Kudan and Sisahaniya

07.00am: Breakfast in hotel

07.30am: Pick up from hotel and drive to Tilaurakot – the ancient city of Kaspilvastu.

08.15am: Arrive in Tilaukarakot. Visit the ancient city.

Description: Tilaurakot is located 28km west from Lumbini. It is identified as the historical site of Kapilvastu, where Siddhartha Gautama spent the first 29 years of his life. The site sits in a peaceful meadow on the banks of the Banganga River. We will visit Tilaurakot Meuseum.

10.30am: For the rest of the day, we will visit:

1. Gotihawa – This place is of special significance to Buddhists. We believe that the Kakruchhanda Buddha, one of the earlier Buddhas before Shakyamuni Buddha, the twenty-second of the twenty four Buddhas, was born and attained nirvana in this holy place. This site lies about 7 km south west of Tilaurakot and 2km west to the Nyagrodharama. It is about 31km west of Lumbini.
2. Niglihawa – It is believed that the Kanakmuni Buddha, one of the earlier Buddhas before Shakyamuni Buddha, the twenty third in the list of twenty four Buddhas born, enlightened and met his father in this place.
3. Sagarhawa – To the northwest of the Tilaurakot, there are several hundred thousands of stupas, indicating the spot where the members of the Sakya tribe were slaughtered.
4. Araurakot – To the northwest of Niglihawa lies a rectangular fortified area popularly known as Araurakot, which is believed to be the natal town of Kanakmuni Buddha. The rectangular fortification wall is magnificent even in its ruins.
5. Kudan – This is the place where, having achieved complete enlightenment, Buddha met his father Suddhodana”. Another description of Kudan by him goes as: To the south of the city (capital city) 3 or 4 li (about 1.5 km) is a grove of the nyagrodha trees in which is a stupa built by Asoka raja. This is the place where Sakya Tathagata, having returned to his country after his enlightenment, met his father and preached the law
6. Sisahaniya – Sisahaniya is believed to be the site where the Sakyas built a stupa enshrining the precious corporeal relic of the Buddha that they had obtained as one eighth of their share. The Sakyas after building a relic stupa of Lord Buddha at Sisahaniya, worshipped there for a long time. The relic was taken away later. Today, we can see remnants of ancient potteries, burnt bricks and brickbats and even Sakya punch marked coins lying scattered on the surface of the site.

NOTE: Lunch will be en the tour on own expenses

06.00pm: Return to hotel. Rest & relax. Dinner will be prepared for you at the hotel.

NOTE:

1) Please liaise with your tour guide on where you want to go, and where you don’t want to go.

2) Please note that you can visit the Mayadevi Temple early in the morning with the same ticket (reusable) or in the evening after the tour ends.

Day 3: Visiting Mayadevi Temple and Other Monasteries

Highlights: Mayadevi Temple(Birthplace of Buddha)

07.0am: Visit the Mayadevi Temple (Birthplace of Buddha) by foot. You will have time to pray and meditate.

NOTE: During your tour, you will be visiting

• Holy Garden
• Ashoka Pillar
• Peace Flame
• Statue of little Buddha

10.00am: Return to hotel for breakfast. Rest and relax after breakfast.

01.00pm: Pick up from your hotel to visit the different of monasteries of different countries such as:

• Korea Temple
• Chinese Temple
• Singapore Temple
• Japan Temple
• India Temple
• French Temple
• German Temple
• SriLankan Temple
• Thailand Temple
• Canadian Temple
• Myanmar Temple
• Vietnam Temple Note: if time permits, you will be visiting Lumbini Library and research centre too.

05.00pm: Return to hotel. Lunch en route.

07.00pm: Dinner at the hotel.

Day 4: Lumbini - Kathmandu

06.00 am: Wake up.

06.30 am: Breakfast and prepare for departure to Kathmandu. We will put you in the Tourist Bus which depart at 7.00 am in the morning, and your tour ends here.

NOTE: The bus ride to Kathmandu will take about 10 hours. Another option is to fly from Lumbini back to Kathmandu at an additional charge of USD142 or car (USD160/car).