Buddhist Pilgrimage Tour

The Major Highlights of the Tour

KATHMANDU
This is one of the most popular tourist destination enlisted in the World Heritage Sites. Clustered around the central Durbar Square is the old Royal Palace (Hunman Dhoka), numerous interesting temples, the Kumari Chowk or Kumari Bahal (House of the Living Goddessa0 and the Kasthamandap (House of wood) from which Kathmandu derived its present name. An inquisitive exploration in the Durbar Square reveals the ancient art and Architecture of Nepal which has proved to be a masterpiece to everyone accepting its genuineness.

SWAYAMBHUNATH
Located approximately 4 km (2.5 miles), Buddhist Stupa this is said to be 2000 years old. The Stupa which forms the main structure is composed of a solid hemisphere of bricks and earth supporting a lofty conical spire capped by a pinnacle of copper gilt. Painted on the four sided base of the spire are the all seeing eyes of Lord Buddha. This hill is a mosaic of small Chaityas and Pagoda temples.

BOUDHANATH
This Stupa situated 11km/7 miles from Kathmandu City is one of the biggest in the world of its kind. It stands with four pairs of eyes in the four cardinal direction keeping watch for righteous behavior and human prosperity. This Buddhist Stupa was built by King Man Deva at the advice of the goddess Mani Jogini. It is built on an octagonal base inset with prayer wheels. The shrine is surrounded by houses of Lamas or Buddhist priests.

PASHUPATINATH
Situated 5 kilometers east of Kathmandu city, Pashupatinath temple is one of the holiest Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Situated amidst a lush green natural setting on the bank of the sacred Bagmati River, the temple built in pagoda style has gilded roof and richly carved silver doors. Visitors will be permitted to view the temple from the east bank of river Bagmati, entrance in the temple being strictly forbidden to all non Hindus. Pashupatinath is the center of annual pilgrimage on the day of Shivaratri which falls in the month of February/March. Behind the temples are the cremation grounds.

PATAN
5 kms/3 miles away from Kathmandu City. Patan also known as Lalitpur is the city of fine arts, enclosed within 4 stupas said to be built in 3rd century AD, by Emperor Ashoka. You will see the Durbar square; the Krishna Temple built by Kind Siddhi Narsingh Malla, Hiranya Varna Mabavihar and MahadouddhaTemple.

Lumbini
Lumbini is situated at the foothills of the Himalayas in modern Nepal. In the Buddha's time, Lumbini was a beautiful garden full of green and shady Sal trees (Shorea). The garden and its tranquil environs were owned by both the ShaAsoka pillarkyas and Kolias clans. King Suddhodana, father of Gautama Buddha was of the Shakya dynasty belonging to the Kshatriya or the warrior caste. Maya Devi, his mother, gave birth to the child on her way to her parent's home in Devadaha while taking rest in Lumbini under a sal tree in the month of May in the year 642 B.C. The beauty of Lumbini is described in Pali and Sanskrit literature. Maya Devi it is said was spellbound to see the natural grandeur of Lumbini. While she was standing, she felt labor pains and catching hold of a drooping branch of a Sal tree, the baby, the future Buddha, was born.