These caves were dug out between 2nd century B.C. and 6th century A.D during the Kshatrapa rule. Once upon a time, Junagarh in Gujarat was governed by Emperor Ashoka who adopted Buddhism in his personal life.
Upon arrival, meeting & greetings at the airport and transfer to hotel. Later visit Mahabodhi Temple. (The Mahabodhi Temple (literally: "Great Awakening Temple") or the Mahabodhi Mahavihar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an ancient, but much rebuilt and restored, Buddhist temple in Bodh Gaya, marking the location where the Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment.) Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
After a delicious breakfast at hotel, proceed for same day excursion tour to Rajgir & Nalanda. (Rajgir was once the ancient capital of the powerful kingdom of Maghada. Nalanda-a great center of Buddhist learning and one of the most famed university citadels of ancient times.) Upon arrival at Rajgir, visit Gridhakuta Hill (The Vulture Peak is Buddhist religious place. It is here that Lord Buddha meditated and carried out many sermons with his disciples). En route stop for visit to Bimbisara Jail. Lunch at hotel in Rajgir. Then visit Venuvan (The Bamboo Grove. This is the site of the monastery Venuvana Vihar built by the powerful Magadhan Emperor Bimbisar, for Lord Buddha to reside) & Hot water spring. Further, proceed to Nalanda, Visit Black Buddha & ruins of Old Nalanda University (Historical sources indicate that the University had a long and illustrious life which lasted almost continually for 800 years from the fifth to the twelfth century CE. It was a completely residential university believed to have 2,000 teachers and 10,000 students.) Drive back to Bodhgaya. Evening visit Mahabodhi Temple. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
After a heartening breakfast at hotel, proceed to visit Sujata Village (Sujata Village was believed to be the place where Prince Siddharta was offered with a bowl of kheer (rice milk) when resting under a Banyan Tree) & Niranajana River (Lord Buddha attained enlightenment at Gaya. His first bath in the River Niranjana known in Pāli as Lilajan is the most striking event in his process of becoming Buddha. A river mentioned in Ramayana as Phalgu and latter classical Sanskrit literature has been often stated to be the same as Niranjana.) Also, visit other International Buddhist Monasteries. Post lunch, drive to Varanasi. Upon arrival at Varanasi, transfer to hotel for check-in. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
Start your day with boating across the ghats of River Ganges, enjoying the panoramic Sunrise. Back to hotel for breakfast, later visit Sarnath (A place located 10 kilometres north-east of Varanasi city near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India). Dhamek Stupa (Dhamek Stupa is a massive stupa located at Sarnath, originated as pre-Buddhist tumuli, in which ascetics were buried in a seated position, called chaitya). Also visit Wat Thai & Sarnath Museum (Sarnath Museum is the oldest site museum of Archaeological Survey of India. It houses the findings and excavations at the archaeological site of Sarnath, the museum has 6,832 sculptures and artefacts.) After lunch at hotel drive to Kushinagar.Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
After a vitalising breakfast at hotel, sightseeing of Kushinagar (It is an important Buddhist pilgrimage site, where Buddhists believe Gautama Buddha attained Parinirvana after his death) Post lunch, visit Mahaparinirvana Temple (Parinirvana Stupa is a Buddhist temple in Kushinagar which is said to be the death place of Gautama Buddha. Alexander Cunningham gains the most attention for his work in the area, because he conclusively proved that Gautama Buddha had died in the area.) Also visit the Ramabhar Stupa (was built over a portion of the Buddha's ashes on the spot where he was cremated by the ancient Malla people.) Later visit Thai Temple – Kushinagar After lunch drive to Lumbini, Nepal (It is the place where, according to Buddhist tradition, Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama in 563 BCE.) Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.
After breakfast at hotel visit Maya Devi Temple (Maya Devi Temple is an ancient Buddhist temple situated at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Lumbini, Nepal. It is the main temple at Lumbini, a site traditionally considered the birthplace of Gautama Buddha. The temple stands adjacent to a sacred pool and a sacred garden). Also visit other International Buddhist Monasteries. After lunch drive to Sravasti. Dinner & overnight at Hotel.
After a mouthwatering breakfast at hotel, visit Sahet Mahet (The city was the capital of the Kosala kingdom in the 6th century. The site is of tremendous Buddhist and Jain significance. As you visit Sahet, you can explore the numerous stupas, temples and monasteries that establish a connection between Sravasti and the Buddha's life.) Proceed towards Angulimal Cave (identified with the remains of the Angulimala Stupa as seen by the Chinese Pilgrims in 500 AD. Locally known as Pakki Kuti. This is a small passage within the stupa, Angulimala gufa. This is apparently a drainage channel for preservation purposes.) Later visit Jetwan Mahavihara (Jetavana was the place where the Buddha gave the majority of his teachings and discourses, having stayed at Jetavana nineteen out of 45 rainy season, more than in any other monastery.) Post lunch at hotel, proceed to Lucknow and connect flight for Ahmedabad. Dinner & overnight at Hotel.
Early morning heritage walk at Ahmedabad. To experience the glory of Ahmedabad, it is optional tour to walk through an old quarter and truly observe the nature of its architecture, its art, religious places, its culture and traditions. After breakfast proceed to Vadnagar for an excursion tour. After lunch at Vadnagar visit Buddhist Monastery belonging to the 2nd-7th century AD, within the fortified area of Vadnagar. The monastery had two votive stupas and an open central court yard around which initially nine cells were constructed. The arrangement of cells around the central courtyard creates a swastika-like pattern. Also visit Toran of Vadnagar a pair of 12th century columns supporting an arch, about 40 feet tall built in red and yellow sandstone, just north of the walled town. Later proceed to Patan & Visit famous Rani Ki Vav or Ran Ki vav (lit. 'Queen’s stepwell') is a stepwell. It has been listed as one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites since 2014. Later Drive to Ahmedabad Dinner & Overnight at hotel.
After a heartening breakfast at hotel, proceed to Junagarh en-route visit khambhalida caves The caves are situated at the foot of small hillocks on the banks of a spring. They are carved out of limestone rocks. There are three caves, the central one contains the stupa which is known as chaitya cave. There are two sculptures of Bodhisattva on the either sides of the gate of the chaitya cave. On the left, the figure is probably Padmapani under Ashoka-like tree with a female companion and five attendants. Later visit Ashok rock addicts An inscription with fourteen Edicts of Emperor Ashoka is found on a large boulder on the way to mount Girnar. The inscriptions carry Brahmi script in Pali language and date back to 250 BC. also visit Uperkot fort A fort and town was established at the foothills of Girnar hill during reign of the Maurya Empire and continued to be used during Gupta period, but it lost its importance when the capital of Saurashtra region was moved from Junagadh to Vallabhi by Maitraka. Chudasamas settled around Junagadh from 875 CE according to bards when they acquired Vamansthali (Vanthli) from Chavda ruler. Dinner & Overnight at hotel.
After morning breakfast proceed to Vadodra. After Lunch visit Archeological museum at M.S. University famous for the collection and nicely displayed Buddhist excavated materials, we can request to museum authority for the darshan of Holy Asthi (Cremation Ash) of Lord Buddha. Also visit laxmi vilas Palace (was constructed by the Gaekwad family, a prominent Maratha family, who ruled the Baroda State.) Dinner & Overnight at hotel.
After morning breakfast proceed to Kavedia. Visit Statue of Unity (is the world's tallest statue, with a height of 182 metres, located in the state of Gujarat, India. It depicts Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel, who was the first deputy prime minister and home minister of independent India and an adherent of Mahatma Gandhi.) also visit surrounding places like Ekta nursery, Cactus Garden. After lunch drive back to Vadodra & connect flight for Mumbai later fly back for onward destination.
