KALCHAKRA

By His Holiness The Dalai Lama

At Bodhgaya, Bihar, India

January 9-22, 2003

Detailed Itinerary

Jan 9: Arrive Delhi. Transfer to Hotel The Park.

Jan 10: Delhi Full day New Delhi and old Delhi sightseeing. Hotel The Park

Jan 11: Delhi - Agra Hotel Jaypee Palace

Early morning transfer to railway station for Shatabdi Express (dep 0600/arr 0755) for Agra, the last capital of Mughal Empire. The city of Taj Mahal - a poem in white marble built in the 16th century by the emperor Shahjahan as a monument of love. Morning visit Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and the delicately carved Itmad-ud-DaulahÕs tomb. Afternoon excursion to Fatehpur Sikri.

Jan 12: Agra - Varanasi Hotel Clarks Varanasi.

Morning at leisure. After lunch, flight to Varanasi IC/CD 7407 dep 1320/arr 1510

Jan 13: Varanasi 

Early morning boat-ride on the sacred Ganges as the sunrises, experiencing traditional rituals at the bathing and the burning ghats. After boat ride, visit Visvanath Temple, one of the oldest temples in Varanasi dating back 1000 years, the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Afternoon excursion to Sarnath , the spiritual centre of Buddhism (where Buddha gave his first sermon). The ancient ruins are fascinating, including the Dhamekh Stupa which is believed to mark the spot where Buddha preached his first sermon; the archaeological museum is excellent. There is also a monument dedicated to Buddha and a modern Buddhist temple with murals by a Japanese painter depicting the story of the life of Buddha. At approx 6pm, local Buddhists chant the words to Buddha’s last sermon.

Jan 14: Varanasi  -  Bodhgaya (255 Km) Hotel Royal Residency

Drive to Bodhgaya. Serene and quiet, this tiny little village is, holiest among holy places is Buddhist India. Where the quest of Prince Siddharth was fulfilled after years of seeking the truth and the saga of Buddha began. He attained the supreme enlightenment and became 'The Buddha', the enlightened one. Thus Buddhism was born here under the Bodhi tree. Bodh Gaya today is a village of temples, and every Buddhist sect is represented here. Bodhgaya has naturally developed into the most sacred spot for Buddhists from all over the world. Lying in sylvan solitude, this sacred place is situated on the banks of river Niranjana (Modern Falgu). It is 15 km. from Gaya town. Gaya is an important center of 'Hindu Pilgrimage' where people go to offer oblations for the salvation of their dead forefathers. The Bodhi tree was destroyed many times, but in 620AD, during the annual celebration of Vaisakha, thousands of people from all over India would gather to anoint the roots of the holy tree with perfumed water and scented milk, and to offer flowers and music. The present Bodhi Tree is most probably the fifth descendant of the original tree to be planted at this site. Being viewed as the actual Buddha by some, it is a reminder and an inspiration, a symbol of peace, of Buddha's enlightenment and of the ultimate potential that lies within us all.

Jan 15-18 Bodhgaya 

Days reserved for the main Kalachakra Initiation.

Jan 19: Bodhgaya - Rajgir (80 Km/2 hr drive) Hotel Indo Hokke

Today drive to Rajgir located in a verdant valley surrounded by rocky hills and sacred to the memory of the founder of both Buddhism and Jainism. Lord Buddha spent many months of retreat during the rainy season here, and used to meditate and preach on Griddhkuta, the 'Hill of the Vultures'. Lord Mahavir spent fourteen years of his life at Rajgir and Nalanda. It was in Rajgriha that Lord Buddha delivered some of his famous sermons and converted King Bimbisara of the Magasha Kingdom and countless others to his creed. Once a great city, Rajgir is just a village today, but vestiges of a legendary and historical past remain, like the cyclopean wall that encircles the town and the marks engraved in rock that local folklore ascribes to Lord Krishna's chariot. An aerial ropeway provides the link with a hill-top stupa "Peace Pagoda" built by the Japanese. On one of the hills in the cave of Saptparni, was held the first Buddhist Council. The Saptparni cave is also the source of the Rajgir Hot Water Springs that have curative properties and are sacred to the Hindus.

Jan 20: Rajgir - Nalanda - Patna (125 Km) Hotel Maurya

After breakfast drive to Patna, en-route visit Nalanda, founded in 5th century BC. It is the site of one of the worlds great ancient universities and an important Buddhist centre until overtaken by the Afghans in the 12th century. The remains are quite extensive, including the Great Stupa. The archaeological museum houses remains found on the site and the university seal. It is probable that Lord Buddha, in one of his previous births as Bodhisatwa, became a king with his capital at Nalanda and that his liberality earned his capital the name Nalanda or "charity without intermission". The third theory about the name of the place is that it derived from Nalam plus da. Nalam means lotus which is a symbol for knowledge and Da means given the place had many lotuses. Nalanda has a very ancient history. It was frequently visited by Lord Vardhamana Mahavir and Lord Buddha in the 6th century BC. During his sojourns, Lord Buddha found this place prosperous, swelling, teeming with population and containing mango-groves. It is also supposed to be the birthplace of Sariputra, one of the Chief disciples of the Lord Buddha. The University of Nalanda was founded in the 5th century by the Gupta emperors.

After visiting Nalanda, continue to Patna. Turning over the pages of early Indian history one comes across the name of the pre-eminent city of Pataliputra. Located at the site where Patna is today, this city saw the rise and fall of India's first major kingdoms. Its period of glory spanned a thousand years, from 6th century B.C. to 5th century A.D. Ajastshatru, second in the line of Magadh Kings, built a fort at Pataligram on the bank of river Ganga. This later became famous mauryan metropolis of Pataliputra and was ruled by Chandragupta Maurya (a contemporary of Alexander) and his grandson Ashok, acclaimed for the spreading of Buddhism.

Jan 21: Patna - Vaishali - Patna (110 Km) Hotel Maurya

Day excursion to Vaishali--the place where Buddha preached his last sermon. Vaishali has a past that pre-dates recorded history. It is held that the town derives its name from King Vishal, whose heroic deeds are narrated in the Hindu epic Ramayana. However, history records that around the time Pataliputra was the centre of political activity in the Gangetic plains, Vaishali came into existence as centre of the Ganga, it was the seat of the Republic of Vajji. Vaishali is credited with being the World's First Republic to have a duly elected assembly of representatives and efficient administration. Lord Buddha visited Vaishali more than once during his lifetime and announced his approaching ÔMahaparinirvanaÕ to the great followers he had here. A hundred years after he attained Mahaparinirvana, it was the venue of the second Buddhist Council. According to one belief, the Jain Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir was born at Vaishali. The Chinese travelers Fa-Hien and Hieun Tsang also visited this place in early 5th and 7th centuries respectively and wrote about Vaishali. While talking of the famous men and women associated with Vaishali, Amrapali was the cynosure not only of Vaishali but of the neighboring kingdoms as well. Therefore, to avert bloodshed, the parliament of Vaishali declared her to be a court dancer besides consigning her to lifelong spinsterhood. Later she became a devout Buddhist and served Lord Buddha. Individual meditation at Vishwa Shanti Pagoda (World Peace Pagoda). A few of the Buddha’s relics have been enshrined in the foundation and in the Stupa.

Jan 22: Patna - Delhi Morning at leisure. After lunch transfer to airport for flight to Delhi, IC 810 dep 1450/arr 1615. Transfer to hotel for wash & change and fare well dinner. After dinner, transfer to International airport for flight home.

Price: $2640 per person, Double Occupancy

Includes:

• Accommodation on double occupancy basis.
• All meals.
• Arrival and departure transfer & land transport by a/c coach
• Escort throughout the tour
• English speaking guide during sightseeing in Delhi, Agra and Varanasi as per the itinerary
• Train ticket in a/c chair car from Delhi to Agra by Shatabdi Express
• All fees for activities & monument entrances

Package Does Not Include

• International flight
• Departure Tax
• Tips
• Meals in Restaurants
• Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls, drinks