Rediscover the life journey of the Enlightened One with Antara
to find the Buddha within…
Experiential Tour of 10 nights / 11 days
Kolkata / Farakka – Samtaghat – Bateshwarsthan – Sultanganj –
Munger – Simaria – Patna – Nalanda – Bodhgaya – Varanasi
Tour Dates: 30 October to 9 November 2024
Day 1 Sat 30 Oct 2024: Train Kolkata / Farakka, Embark – Samtaghat
Board an early morning train from Kolkata to Farakka.
Upon arrival at the Farakka train station, transfer to the ship for embarkation.
Enjoy a leisurely lunch en route to Samtaghat against a moving panaromic backdrop.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Day 2 Thu 31 Oct 2024: River day Samtaghat – Bateshwarsthan
Full day sailing to Bateshwarsthan.
You will be fascinated by the passing landscape and the lively life on the river.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas.
Day 3 Fri 01 Nov 2024: Bateshwarsthan – Sultanganj
Morning drive to the 8th to 9th century excavation site of the Vikramshila University
(approx. 15-mins drive) and walk around the ruins.
Vikramshila University was one of the three most important Buddhist monasteries in India during the Pala Empire, along with Nalanda and Odantapuri. It was one of the largest Buddhist universities, with more than a thousand students and over one hundred teachers. Its location is now the site of Antichak village near Kahalgaon, in Bihar. Vikramshila is known mainly through Tibetan sources, especially the writings of Taranatha, the Tibetan monk historian of the 16th to 17th centuries.
We return to the ship and sail towards Sultanganj.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Day 4 Sat 02 Nov 2024: Sultanganj – Munger
After breakfast excursion of Sultanganj, where there are two prominent granite rock-islands in the river connected to the mainland by a causeway. On one island is a mosque and on the other larger one is the 16th century Ajgaibinath Temple. We will visit shrines to various deities dating from 5th century onwards on an ancient jetty which today has become part of a Shiva temple. Thereafter sail towards Munger.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Day 5 Sun 03 Nov 2024: Munger Sightseeing
Munger is known for its manufacturing of iron articles such as firearms and swords.
It is the ancient city of Mahabharata legend Karna, the eldest son of Kunti and the Sun Lord.
In the morning visit to the Chandika Sthan Temple. Dedicated to Goddess Shakti it is one of the fifty-one Shakti Pithas, associated with the legend of Lord Vishnu who, to save the world from Lord Shiva’s wrath, cut into pieces the corpse of Devi Sati that Shiva was carrying.
Return to ship for lunch and thereafter walk through the Fort ruins and visit the nearby market. Munger’s Fort houses several religious and historic monuments such as tombs of saints, a palace and a British cemetery. The market is a very popular fruit and vegetable market with other shops of textiles and readymade garments.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Day 6 Mon 04 Nov 2024: Munger – Simaria
We continue our journey further upstream sailing to arrive in Simaria by late afternoon.
Visit by walk in the riverside village to see the daily activities of the local people.
It has a famous bridge which provides both rail and road connectivity to the local residents.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Day 7 Tue 05 Nov 2024: Riverday Simaria – Patna
Today we sail full day through wonderful countryside to Patna, the capital of the State of Bihar.
Patna is one of the oldest continuously inhabited places in the world founded in 490 BCE as Pataliputra.
Dinner & overnight onboard Ganga Vilas
Day 8 Wed 06 Nov 2024: Patna Disembark / Nalanda – Bodhgaya
Disembark the ship after breakfast and proceed for a sightseeing tour of Patna.
Visit the Golghar and Patna Museum.
After sightseeing, transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
OPTIONAL EXTENSION
Disembark by 07:00 hrs after breakfast or with packed breakfast for drive to Nalanda (approx. 2-hrs).
The archaeological ruins of Nalanda, a World Heritage Site, was a renowned Mahavihara (Buddhist monastic university) in ancient Magadha. It is considered by historians to be the world’s first residential university and among the greatest centers of learning in the ancient world. Operating from 427 until 1197 CE, Nalanda played a vital role in promoting the patronage of arts and
academics during the 5th and 6th century CE. It was supported by numerous Indian and
Javanese patrons, both Buddhists and non-Buddhists. Over some 750 years, its faculty included
some of the most revered scholars of Mahayana Buddhism. It taught six major Buddhist schools and
philosophies as well as subjects such as Vedas, grammar, medicine, logic and mathematics. It was
perhaps the oldest seat of learning in India and treasures a glorious past, rich spiritual heritage and
some extraordinary architectural ruins. Continue to nearby Rajgir where lunch can be enjoyed at a local restaurant.
Rajgir, is a historic town that holds a place of prominence in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain scriptures owing to it being the seat and capital of several dynasties and the dwelling ground of such historical figures as The Buddha and Mahavira. Both Mahavira and Buddha taught in Rajgir during the 6th and 5th century BC. The Buddha was offered a forest monastery in Rajgir, by the king Bimbisara. As such, the city of Rajgir became one of the Buddha’s most important preaching locations, where he spent several months meditating. He also delivered some of his famous sermons and initiated king Bimbisara and others to Buddhism. It was here, on one of the hills where the First Buddhist Council was held after Buddha’s death.
Continue the journey to Bodhgaya (approx. 2-hrs), which for Buddhists, is the most important of the main four pilgrimage sites related to the life of Gautama Buddha, the other three being Kushinagar, Lumbini and Sarnath.
Dinner and overnight stay at a local hotel.
Day 9 Thu 07 Nov 2024: Bodhgaya Sightseeing
Begin the day with a visit to the Mahabodhi Temple. Declared a World Heritage Site, it is said to be the place where Gautama Buddha attained Enlightenment under a banyan tree that became known as the Bodhi Tree.Since antiquity, Bodh Gaya has remained the object of pilgrimage and veneration both for Hindus and Buddhists. Buddhist chanting and prayers can be witnessed in the temple premises.
The day can be spent exploring the several Buddhist temples and monasteries that have been built by the people of various countries like Bhutan, Mongolia, China, Japan, Korea, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet and Vietnam in a wide area around the Mahabodhi Temple. These buildings reflect the architectural style, exterior and interior decoration of their respective countries. The statue of The Buddha in the Chinese temple is 200 years old and was brought from China. The Japanese Nippon temple is shaped like a pagoda. The Myanmar (Burmese) temple is also pagoda shaped and is reminiscent of Bagan. The Thai temple has a typical sloping, curved roof covered with golden tiles. Inside, the temple holds a massive bronze statue of Buddha. Next to the Thai temple is a 25-metre statue of The Buddha, located within a garden which has existed there for over 100 years.
Lunch, Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10, Fri 08 Nov 2024: Drive Bodhgaya / Varanasi
After an early breakfast, drive to Varanasi (248-kms/approx. 5-hrs), the holiest town for the Hindus.
Upon arrival, check in to the hotel and have lunch. Varanasi, also known as Banaras and Kashi, is a major religious hub in India, and is considered the holiest city in Hinduism and Jainism. It also played an important role in the development of Buddhism. Hindus believe that death in this city will bring salvation, making it a major centre for pilgrimage. The city is known worldwide for its many Ghats, which are stone embankments made in steps along the riverbank where pilgrims perform ritual ablutions.
Enjoy a walk on these ghats and arrive at the Dashashwamedh Ghatto see the Ganga Aarti ritual, performed by a group of priests lined up on the riverbank chanting mantras and performing the prayer ritual with lamps, incense, bells and traditional Hindu instruments to honour the river.
Thousands of devotees throng the riverbank to participate in the ceremony every evening.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 11, Sat 09 Nov 2024: Varanasi – Sarnath / Departure
At early dawn enjoy a Sunrise Boat Tour to witness the incredible scenes along the Holy River.
Return to hotel for breakfast.
Thereafter visit Sarnath where in 528 BCE, at 35 years of age, Gautama Buddha taught his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodhgaya. The Dhamek Stupa here marks the precise location where Buddha delivered his first discourse to his first five disciples, and where all five eventually became fully liberated. It is also where the Buddhist Sangha first came into existence as a result of the enlightenment of his first five disciples. It is also one of the eight stupas where Buddha’s ashes after his cremation were divided and buried.
The Archaeological Museum at Sarnath contains a large collection of sculptures that stand testimony to the fervent artistic and religious activity for more than a thousand years.
Thereafter transfer to the airport for onward journey.
Important Note:
- The itinerary may be readjusted due to local conditions and days of the week, in order to avoid closure of monuments/museums. Last-minute sailing and touring adjustments may also occur. The schedule may shift due to the weather or to take advantage of unexpected opportunities. The exact time for each activity will be announced or posted by the onboard tour staff.
- No liquor will be served on board the ship and at the hotel in Bodhgaya, as it is prohibited in the State of Bihar.
- As per the government regulations satellite phones & drone cameras are not allowed in Varanasi, please ensure the same, while traveling to Varanasi.
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