Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour
Day 1: Arrive at Kathmandu and
Overnight at Monastery
On reaching Kathmandu airport
received by AHP staff, our staff will inform regarding your program that you
need while in Nepal. You’ll overnight stay at Monastery around Kathmandu.
Day 2: Namo Buddha and Bhakatapur
Sightseeing
Early Morning After Breakfast you’ll
do Sightseeing at Bhaktapur and then Namobuddha Sightseeing.
One of the unsurpassable supreme
sacred sites known as the Three Stupas in Nepal is Tagmo Lüjin (place where the
future Buddha sacrificed his body to a tigress). It is the very sacred place
where the teachers, the perfect and supreme Buddha-at that time still on the
path of learning-offered his own body without regret to a tigress suffering
from great hunger. What follows is a history of this supreme and distinguished
sacred site, whose location is unmistaken based on the clear identification
given in the Sutra Requested by the Tigress and so forth.
Day 3: Sightseeing at Patan Mahabouddha
and Swayambhunath
You’ll do
Sightseeing at two Buddhist Pilgrimage of Kathmandu Patan Mahabouddha and
Swayambhunath also Pray for Buddha after Breakfast. Overnight Stay at Monastery
.
Patan MahaBouddha
temple’s uniqueness is attributed to about 9,000 Buddha figures which have been
chiseled on every brick of the temple. The terracotta bricks are manufactured
from high quality clay. Also called the Maha Bouddha, this temple is recognized
worldwide by the name of “Temple of Thousands of Buddhas”. Standing silently in
the nooks and corners of the Kathmandu Valley’s cities, many Nepali
architectural masterpieces and works of wonder seem to remain hidden from all.
As these well-known glories of yesteryears slowly fade from the public’s
memories, thei phenomenal existence enters a void of oblivion.One of such
several human miracles, the Maha Bouddha Temple of Oku Bahal in Patan is also
on the verge of being forgotten. Located amidst dense human settlement, this
huge temple resides in a courtyards surrounded by public houses. But once
inside Oku Bahal, no one can help gasping with amazement.While the alley
leading to this temple is lined with several shops exhibiting the fine metal
craftsmanship of the natives of Patan, the temple boasts of the dexterity of the
ancestors of these very natives. According to the archeological records, the
first stone of this temple was laid in 1564 AD, and it took almost 36 years for
this grand construction to be completed.
Swayambhu (or
Swayambhunath), magnificently set atop a conical hill 2km west of Thamel, is a
great place to get your bearings, geographically and culturally, in your first
few days in Nepal: the hill commands a sweeping view of the Kathmandu Valley,
and the temple complex is overrun with pilgrims and monkeys.
The
ancient stupa – which has benefited from a recent renovation – is the
most profound expression of Buddhist symbolism in Nepal (many bahal in
the valley contain a replica of it), and the source of the valley’s creation
myth. Inscriptions date the stupa to the fifth century, and there’s reason to
believe the hill was used for animist rites even before Buddhism arrived in the
valley two thousand years ago. Tantric Buddhists consider it the chief “power
point” of the Kathmandu Valley; one chronicle states that an act of worship
here carries thirteen billion times more merit than anywhere else. To call it
the “Monkey Temple” (its tourist nickname) is to trivialize it.
Day
4: Pharping Tour and Pray for Buddha
After having
Breakfast you’ll have tour of Pharping, 19km south of Kathmandu, and Pray for
Buddha. Overnight Stay Hotel at Thamel .
About 19km south
of Kathmandu, Pharping is a thriving Newari town whose ancient Buddhist
pilgrimage sites have been taken over by large numbers of Tibetans. A circuit
of its religious sites makes for a compelling day out from Kathmandu. Pharping
lies on the road to Dakshinkali and it’s easy to visit both villages in a day
by bus or bicycle. En route you’ll pass the pond at Taudaha, allegedly home to
the nagas released from the Kathmandu lake. More Buddhist monasteries are
opening up around here every year, some of which accept foreign dharma
students. The town saw only minor damage in the 2015 earthquake.
Day
5: Drive to Lumbini
After Breakfast
you’ll Drive for Lumbini, Birth Place Of Gautam Buddha,. Overnight stay at
Monastry.
Lumbini is one of
the greatest pilgrimage sites for Buddhist where Siddartha Gautam, the lord
Buddha was born in 623 B.C. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has
archeological and religious importance. Every year thousands of Buddhists make
a holy pilgrimage to Lumbini.
Lumbini is
situated about 300 km in south west of Kathmandu and 22 km away from
Bhairahawa. There is a master plan for
Lumbini drawn up in 1978 by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange in conjunction with
the UN and with the support of the Nepalese government. The idea was that
Lumbini could become home to a massive hub of monasteries, served by transport
links that would enable pilgrims and tourists to experience the holy site.The
Master Plan covers an area of three square miles on north south and encompasses
three zones each covering one square mile (2.56 sq. Kms.). The three zones are
united by a 1.474-meter long walkway and a canal. The zones are: a) the Sacred
Garden Zone b) the Monastic Zone and c) the New Lumbini Village.
Day
6: Lumbini Sight Seeing and Pray For Buddha
After breakfast visit the attractions of
Lumbini and Pray For Buddha. Overnight at hotel.
Attractions:
The Maya Devi Temple: It is the main temple at Lumbini and is said to be the
exact place where Buddha was born.
Pushkarni Pool: This is a pool where Maya Devi bathed before giving
birth to Lord Buddha and also Buddha was given his first purification bath.
Ashokan Pillar: This Pillar was built by Emperor Ashoka and stand next
to the Mayadevi temple. The Ashokan Pillar stands at 6 meters and is made from
pink sandstone. The pillar was rediscovered in 1896 by Nepalese archaeologist
team.
Tilaurakot: Tilaurakot was the cardinal point of the ancient
Shakyan city of Kapilvastu. It is about 27 km west of Lumbini where Buddha
spent the first 29 years of his life.
Aroarakot: It is a rectangular fortified area about 10 km
northwest of Taulihawa. It was identified by the famous Indian archaeologist P.
C Mukharji as the natal town of Kanakmuni Buddha.
Gotihawa: This is a small village located about 5 km southwest of
Taulihawa. In Gotihawa there is another Ashokan Pillar. The upper part of the
pillar is missing and only the lower portion of pillar, 3.5m high, is still
intact. It is believed that this sacred site is to be associated with Kanakmuni
Buddha and Krakuchhanda Buddha.
Niglihawa: About 7 km north of Taulihawa, Niglihawa is the
birthplace of Knakmuni Buddha. It holds a significant archaeological
importance. Emperor Ashoka built a Stupa and set a pillar in 249 BC. The pillar
is broken into two pieces, the longer one laying flat and the shorter ones
stack into the ground.
Kudan: It is about 2 km southwest of Taulihawa where Buddha met
his father, mother, wife and son for the first time after his renunciation.
Devdaha: This is the ancient capital of Koliya kingdom located
35 km east of Lumbini. It was the city of birth of queen Mayadevi (mother),
Prajapati Gautami (step mother), princess Yasodhara (consort). Buddha spent his
early childhood in devdaha.
Sagarhawa: It is about 12 km north of Taulihawa, there is a forest
called sagarhawa with a long lake known as Lambusagar. In this site, thousands
of Shakyas were massacred by king Virudhaka out of vengeance. Hundred of stupas
were built here in their memory by shakyas descendants. German archaeologist
Anton Fuhrer excavated it in between 1987-1898.
Ramagrama Stupa: This stupa was built in 6th century B.C and remains the
only undamaged and original stupa containing relics of Lord Buddha.
Day 7: Back To Kathmandu
After Breakfast Drive to Kathmandu and
Overnight at Hotel.
Day-8: International Departure
Depending upon the international flight time
our AHP staff will pick you from the hotel for the drive to airport after a
memorable time in Nepal with us.
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