 Nalanda is situated
around 90 km off Patna and is part of
the Buddhist Circuit that also includes
Bodh Gaya and Rajgir. Nalanda, one of
the greatest centers of learning in the
ancient times, is located in the eastern
Indian state of Bihar. Thsough the Buddha visited
Nalanda several times during his lifetime,
this famous centre of Buddhist learning
shot to fame much later, during 5th -
12th centuries. The Chinese scholar and
traveler Hiuen Tsang stayed here in the
7th century, and has left an elaborate
description of the excellence, and purity
of monastic life practised here. About
2,000 teachers and 10,000 students from
all over the Buddhist world lived and
studied in this international university.
The Nalanda Museum and the Nava Nalanda
Mahavihar are definitely worth a visit.
The Nandangarh stupa, nearby, is believed
to house the ashes of the Buddha.
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VARANASI
 Varanasi, or Benaras
as it was earlier called, sacred
to the Hindus has many names: Kashika,
or 'the shining one' referring to
the light of Shiva. At a distance
of 12 km from Varanasi lies Sarnath,
where Lord Buddha preached his first
sermon. Here he revealed the eight
fold path that leads to the attainment
of inner peace, enlightment and
ultimate Nirvana.
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Indian
Railways has now decided to cash in on the growing tourism
sector in the country. Targeting Buddhist tourists from
both India and abroad, the Indian Railways Catering and
Tourism Corporation Ltd, an arm of the Indian Railways,
has launched a unique express train connecting all important
places of Buddhist pilgrimages in India besides one in Nepal.
The train leaves from Safdarjung Station at
Delhi for Gaya. You'll be served the dinner
on board the train.
Gaya is one of the
most important pilgrimage places for the Hindus.
It is believed that a Hindu will reach heaven
if his last rites are offered under the celebrated
'Akshayabat' or immortal banyan tree, standing
in the yard of Vishnupad temple. Believed to
be built on the footsteps of Vishnu, the grand
temple was renovated by Ahalyabai, queen of
Indore.
About 51 kilometres
from Gorakhpur lies Kushinagar,
Kushinagar, one of the principal
centre of Buddhist pilgrimage, is
the place where Lord Buddha left
his corporeal self and attained
Mahaparinirvana.
Early B/F – Dep. for
Lumbini (Nepal). Lunch – Dinner.
Dep. Gorakhpur for Gonda. 
Sravasti is located
in Gonda district in eastern Uttar
Pradesh. Sravasti was the largest
town in the Gangetic plains in the
lifetime of Lord Buddha. Lord Buddha
performed the most talked about
of miracles when he created many
images of himself. It is a very
popular theme among the artists
of Buddhist leanings. Buddhism was
very much popular in Sravasti even
in the lifetime of Lord Buddha.
This is the city which
can be declared to be the most authoritative
centre of tourism in India. Agra
is known all over the world for
the legendary monument Taj Mahal
which is also one of the seven wonders
of the world. The Lodhi ruler Sikandar
Lodhi made Agra his capital some
time in the sixteenth century. Later
Agra went into the hands of Mughals
and it was the time when some of
the most stunning monuments of the
human history came up in the city.
