Pilgrimage · India & Nepal
More time at every sacred site, with sil at Jetavana and Buddhagaya
Journey overview
Our most popular package. Twelve days allow a gentler pace along the full sacred circuit, with two full days of sil observance (one at Jetavana in Sravasti and one at Buddhagaya) plus unhurried visits to Lumbini, Kusinara, Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda and Sarnath. The tour opens with the Taj Mahal at Agra and closes with the Kapilavastu relics and a city tour of Delhi, with time for shopping along the way.
Day by day
Every day is thoughtfully paced, with time to experience each place—not simply pass through it.
Depart Colombo for Delhi and travel by coach to Agra. In the evening, visit the magnificent Taj Mahal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the site associated with the preaching of the Sathara Sathipattana Sutta.
Travel to Sankissa, where the Buddha descended from the Tavatimsa heaven, and worship the sacred site. Continue to Sravasti (Savath Nuwara), where the Buddha spent nineteen rainy seasons, for an overnight stay in the sacred city.
Observe sil in the sacred city and take part in a Buddha pooja, almsgiving to the maha sangha, and the offering of ata pirikara, one of the eight great meritorious deeds. Worship at the Jetavana site, the Anandabodhi tree, the Angulimala Stupa and the mansion of Anathapindika. The evening brings a special dhamma sermon and Bodhi pooja beside the Anandabodhi tree.
Visit Kapilavastu, the palace of King Suddhodana and Prince Siddhartha, and the Nigrodharama monastery. After crossing the India–Nepal border, arrive in Lumbini and worship at the birthplace of the Buddha in the sacred garden.
Return across the border and travel to Kusinara, where the Buddha attained Parinirvana. Worship at the Mahaparinirvana Stupa, which marks the exact spot, and the Ramabhar cremation stupa.
Travel to Vaishali, where the Bhikkhuni Sasana was established. Worship at the Relic Stupa, the Abhishek pond and the Kutagarasala, then continue to Rajgir, visiting the ruins of Nalanda University on the way.
Worship at Griddhakuta, the Holy Eagle Peak where many discourses were delivered, and visit the Bimbisara Jail and the Saptaparni Cave of the First Buddhist Council. Continue to Buddhagaya via Senanigama, where Sujata offered milk rice to the ascetic Siddhartha, and the Dungeshwari caves.
Arrive at the Maha Bodhi Temple early in the morning in procession. A kiri ahara pooja is held before observing sil, followed by the Sathsathi vandana (the seven places of the seven weeks after enlightenment), the offering of ata pirikara, a dhamma sermon and a Bodhi pooja beside the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
Travel to Varanasi and worship at Sarnath, where the Buddha delivered his first sermon and the sangha was born. Visit the Anagarika Dharmapala Museum and the Sarnath Museum, and listen to the Dhammachakka Sutta at the New Mulagandhakuti Vihara in the evening.
A travel day to Agra, famed for its Mughal architecture and local craftsmanship: marble inlay work and leather goods. Enjoy some shopping before checking in for the evening.
Arrive in Delhi and worship the four sacred Kapilavastu relics housed at the National Museum. See India Gate, Parliament and the President’s House on a city drive, with time for shopping in Delhi’s markets and malls.
With hearts full of merit and memories, board the return flight to Colombo.
Travel with ease
From a fellow traveller
Real words from people who have travelled this route with Manel Travels.
“We joined the 12-day Dambadiva tour with my parents. Everything was perfectly organised: visas, hotels, meals, all handled. Observing sil at Buddhagaya was the most peaceful experience of my life. Thank you for taking such good care of us.”
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