As the name suggests, Buddhist Circuit Tour makes a complete circuit of some of the major Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal. Starting from Kathmandu Valley, the capital city of Nepal and home to seven world heritage monuments including 2500 year old Boudhanath and Swoyambhunath, you get out to the outskirts of Kathmandu Valley for a visit to equally significant historical sites related to Buddhists, Kapan and Namo Buddha.
You then take a long scenic drive to Lumbini, the birthplace of Lumbini, located in the southwestern Nepal. Lumbini is a treasure trove of historical and archaeological relics from the time of Buddha. You will spend a whole day sightseeing around Mayadevi Temple, Peace Stupa, Ashoka Pillar, Puskarni Pond, Buddhism library, meditation square, crane sanctuary etc.
Being the the birthplace of Lord Buddha and the cradle of Buddhism, Nepal is certainly the mecca for Buddhist pilgrims and all peace loving people of the world. Visiting Lumbini where Buddha was born and spent his life along with other important Buddhist sites in Nepal is a fulfilling dream for every one.
Our airport representative will be there at the airport premises to welcome you and take you to your hotel. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
After early morning breakfast, our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel for a day long tour. Today you will visit three important Buddhist sites, Swoyambhunath, Boudhanath and Kapan. You will return to your hotel by evening.
Swoyambhunath: Swoyambhunath is a world heritage monument dedicated to Tibetan Buddhism. The unique dome shaped Buddhist stupa was built some 2500 years ago when Kathmandu was under the influence of Tibetan rulers. Also called Monkey Temple, the stupa is situated west of Kathmandu and built on the top of a hill surrounded by green forests. There are temples, stupas, statues and shrines dedicated to Buddha along with a monastery, museum and library
Boudhanath: Boudhanath is also a world heritage monument located north of Kathmandu. The dome shaped spherical stupa which upholds the all seeing pair of eyes of Buddha. The stupa is believed to have been built by Tibetan emperor some 2500 years agao. The stupa was completely rebuilt after it had been destroyed by the earthquake of 2015.
Kapan: Kapan Monastery is one of the most popular Buddhist monasteries in Kathmandu Valley, located north of Kathmandu. The monastery was established by renwoned Zopa Rinpoche and has a monastic school for 360 monks from Nepal and Tibet along with 380 nuns who live nearby Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery.
Wake up early and start the day with a warm breakfast. Our tour guide will meet you at the hotel and brief you about today’s program.
You will drive to the famous Buddhist site of Namo Buddha where you will spend the day sightseeing the local attractions. You will return to your hotel in Kathmandu by later afternoon.
Namo Buddha: Namo Buddha is one of the most important Buddhist sites in Nepal visited by pilgrims and tourists alike. Namo Buddha literally means ‘hail to Buddha’.It is located 40 km east of Kathmandu at an altitude of 1750m. It is believed that Shakyamuni Buddha during his previous life as a prince had sacrificed himself to feed a hungry tigress and her cub. Statues of the prince in the sacrificial act have been preserved in Namo Buddha. Today a monastery has been built nearby which houses hundreds of monks from Nepal and Tibet. Due to its altitude it overlooks the beautiful vista of the ancient town of Panauti and also affords splendid views of mountains as well as the valley of Panauti.
Early morning drive to Lumbini. It takes around 8-9 hours to reach Lumbini following Prithivi Highway and East West Highway.
A world heritage site, Lumbini is the birthplace of Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism and apostle of peace. Located in southwestern region of Nepal in the Terai plains, Lumbini is a world heritage site and one of the world’s greatest pilgrimage centers. Hundreds of thousands tourists and pilgrims visit to this sacred site every year to pay their respects to Lord Buddha.
Lumbini hosts archaeological remains of palaces, courtyards, ponds, stones and statues that date back to some 2500 years ago. At the heart of Lumbini is the Sacred Garden. Spread around 9 km, this is where Buddha was born as Prince Siddartha Gautam to Queen Maya Devi. The exact nativity site is marked by a Ashokan Pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC. A marker stone discovered in the Mayadevi Temple which stands adjacent to this pillar is regarded as the exact spot where Siddhartha Gautam Buddha was born.Another sacred site in the Garden is the PuskarniPond where Queen Mayadevi is believed to have taken bath before giving birth to Buddha.
There are as many as 62 archaeological sites scattered around Lumbini such as Tilaurakot, Kudan, Gothihawa, Niglihawa, Sagarhawa, Aurorakot, Devadaha and Ramagrama. Each of these sites hold significance in the life and times of Buddha are highly recommended for any visitors. Other sites of importance in Lumbini are Buddhist Library, Crane Sanctuary, world peace stupa, international monastic zones, and numerous monasteries, stupas and viharas that dot the landscape.
You will spend the day sightseeing in and around Lumbini with a tour guide. Some of the sites you will visit include Maya Devi Temple, Puskarni Pond, Ashkoa Pillar, Peace Stupa, Buddhist Library and Museum, Crane Sanctuary and international monasteries. Stay overnight at hotel in Lumbini.
Important sites in Lumbini:
Sacred Garden: The Sacred Garden was where Buddha was born in 623 BC. The garden is marked by a marker stone, the exact spot where Buddha descended at birth.
Ashoka Pillar: This stone pillar was erected by Emperor Ashoka to marked the birth spot of Buddha, almost 800 years after Buddha was born. The pillar carries inscription in pali script.
Puskarni or Mayadevi Pond: Puskarni Pond sits right in front of Mayadevi Temple. The pond is considered to be sacred since it was here Queen Mayadevi took a bath before giving birth to Buddha.
Lumbini Museum and Lumbini Research Center: These two are located within a few meters of each other. The museum has a substantial collection of Buddhist manuscripts, sculptures and coins dating back to 4th century. The Research Center is currently being developed as a knowledge repository for the benefit of scholars, researchers, students, pilgrims as well as travelers. There are over 12,000 books on religion, philosophy, art and architecture preserved in the center.
Tilaurankot, Kudan, Gothihawa, Niglihawa, Devdaha, Sagarhawa are other important places around Lumbini.
Take an early morning drive to Kathmandu. The entire journey takes about 8-9 hours. You can enjoy the scenic ride with beautiful green hills, rivers and villages. Stay overnight at hotel in Kathmandu.
Depending on time of your departure flight, our representative will see you off at Kathmandu International Airport for your flight back home.
a) Kathmandu :
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