Sanchi Pilgrimage (14 Days – Comfort Dambadiva Pilgrimage)

The much-awaited experience will begin with the departure from Airport in Colombo. On arrival at Delhi Airport, you will be accompanied to Agra, where the Hotel is located. In the evening, you will be visiting the magnificent Taj Mahal, a renowned white marble mausoleum located in Agra. It is considered one of the most beautiful and iconic monuments in the world and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit to the meritorious site where Buddha preached ‘Sathara Sathipattana Sutra’ will mark the end of an unforgettable day.

Beginning of the day will be marked with the departure to Sankissa in the morning. After worshipping the Sacred Site, you will be travelling to Savath Nuwara (Jetavana), where the Buddha delivered much of his teachings and discourses. The overnight stay will be at a hotel in the sacred city, with a guaranteed spiritual experience that will never fade away.

In addition to observe sil at the Sacred City in the morning, you will be taking part in Buddha Puja, giving alms to Buddhist monks, offering Ata Pirikara (Eight-Fold Offering), one of the Ata Maha Kusal (Eight great meritorious deeds). The sacred sites that you will be visiting include;

The Jetavana Site
The Anandabodhi Tree
The Angulimala Stupa
The Anepindu Situ Maligaya

A special dhamma sermon and Bodhi Puja near Anandabodhi Tree in the evening will immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere. You can offer prayers, light incense, and make offerings at the various shrines and stupas in the site as a sign of respect and devotion. You will also have the opportunity to have an unforgettable shopping experience, and will then be travelling to a hotel where the rest of the day will be spent.

The first destination will be to Lumbini, a historically and culturally significant place located in southwestern Nepal. It is renowned as the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became the Buddha. Lumbini holds immense religious and archaeological importance and is considered one of the most important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists around the world.

Several destinations will be visited including, but not limited to;

The Mahinda Temple in Kapilavastu
The Nigrodharama
The Palace of King Suddhodana and Prince Siddhartha

About two hours will be spent for immigration-emigration affairs at the India-Nepal border. You will be arriving at the hotel in the evening, and visiting Lumbinī, where queen Maya gave birth to Siddhartha Gautama. The site is one of many magnets for pilgrimage that sprang up in places pivotal to the life of the Buddha. The overnight stay will be at the hotel.

You will first arrive at the India-Nepal border, and then leave for Kusinara, a significant Buddhist pilgrimage site that holds immense importance in Buddhism. It is the place where Buddha attained Parinirvana, which is the final and complete cessation of suffering and the cycle of rebirth. Mahaparinirvana Stupa, which is believed to mark the exact spot where Buddha achieved Parinirvana, and several other destinations will be visited. The overnight stay will be at a hotel.

Having spent a solemn, yet spiritual, day at Kusinara, you will be heading towards Vaishali in the morning. Vaishali is mentioned in various Buddhist texts as a place where Buddha visited frequently during his lifetime. The city is associated with many important events in Buddha’s life, such as the preaching of the Mahaparinirvana Sutra and the establishment of the Bhikkhuni Sangha.

The must-visit sites in Vaishali include;

The Relic Stupa, which is believed to contain a part of Buddha’s remains
The Abhishek Pond
The Kutagarasala

Unforgettable visits to these sites will be followed by the departure to Rajgir, which holds a special place in the cultural, religious, and historical landscape of India. It was in Rajgir that Buddha delivered many of his discourses, including famous Sutras. During the journey, you will visit Nalanda University, a thriving Buddhist monastic university that attracts scholars and students from all over Asia, including India, China, Korea, Japan, Tibet, and Central Asia. The overnight stay will be at a hotel.

From Rajgir, you will be leaving for Bodh Gaya, a place of immense historical and cultural importance. It continues to be a major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from all over the world, and a place where many people engage in meditation and spiritual practices. You will be moving to a hotel after visiting several sites including;

The Holy Eagle Peak or Griddhrakuta
The Bimbisara Jail – Historical Site in Nalanda
The Saptaparni Cave
The place where Sujata offers Siddhartha Gautama the milk rice
The Durgeshwari Temple

Early in the morning, you will be arriving at Bodh Gaya, the place where Buddha attained enlightenment, in a procession. A ‘Kiri Ahara’ puja will be held prior to observing sil. You will then take part in the meritorious ‘Sathsathi Wandanawa’ (worshipping the seven spots where Buddha spent a span of seven weeks after attaining enlightenment). Following the offering of ‘Ata Pirikara’, a Dhamma sermon, and a Bodhi Puja near the Sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi, you will be leaving for the hotel, where the overnight will be spent.

You will be leaving for Varanasi, a city in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, and regarded as the spiritual capital of India. The first site to visit in Varanasi is Sarnath also known as Migadaya, where Buddha delivered his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. It is also where the Buddhist sangha first came into existence as a result of the enlightenment of his first five disciples, namely Kaundinya, Assaji, Bhaddiya, Vappa and Mahanama. The next visits will be to;

The Anagarika Dharmapala Museum
The Sarnath Museum

Having listened to Dhammachakka Sutra (Damsak Pawathum) at New Mulagandhakuti Vihara Temple in Sarnath in the evening, you will be accompanied to the hotel for overnight stay.

The much-awaited visit to Agra, a city attracts millions of tourists every year due to its historical sites, including the stunning architecture, intricate carvings, and beautiful gardens. Apart from its historical attractions, Agra is also known for its local handicrafts, including marble inlay work and leather goods. You will not miss a wonderful shopping experience before leaving for the hotel in the evening.

Who would say ‘no’ to a walk around a city that holds significant cultural, political, and historical importance? The unforgettable day will begin with your arrival at Delhi, the capital city of India and is one of the most historic and vibrant cities in the country. You will be worshipping the four relics that come from among 22 Buddha relics (Kapilavastu Relics), currently housed at Delhi’s National Museum. The following sites will be seen from the bus;

The India Gate
The Parliament
The President’s House

You would love the delightful and diverse shopping experience in Delhi, as the city offers a wide range of shopping options, from traditional markets to modern malls. Keep an eye on authentic Indian handicrafts, textiles, jewellery, and spices that make for great souvenirs or gifts. Done with shopping? Then it is time to leave for the hotel for a wonderful night.

You will be leaving for Sanchi by train in the morning. Sanchi is a historical site located in Madhya Pradesh, India, and is famous for the Great Stupa, an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists. After visiting Bhopal, one of India’s greenest cities, you will be back in Sanchi.

Marking another spiritual day in life, you will be worshipping Buddhist monuments, including stupas, temples, and monasteries in Sanchi. Most significant among them is the Great Stupa, one of the oldest stone structures in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The site is an important pilgrimage spot for Buddhists and also attracts tourists and history enthusiasts due to its architectural and historical significance. You will be reaching Delhi by train in the evening.

With a heart filled with experiences encountered during the pilgrimage, as well as stories and histories associated with destinations, you will get on board the flight to return to Colombo. The memories of the pilgrimage and the time spent in reflection and devotion will undoubtedly lead you towards a sense of inner peace and serenity.