An enlivening Buddhist pilgrimage across India in eight days

Under the auspices of the Indian government, the Indian Railway and Catering Corporation has devised an innovative scheme to facilitate Buddhist pilgrimage tours through a spiritual train journey. This will be a big boost for Sri Lankan pilgrims visiting India or Mahabharat.

The scheme makes it easier for Sri Lankan pilgrims to visit India by providing them with a convenient mode of transport. It also provides them with the opportunity to experience the spiritual and religious aspects of the pilgrimage in a unique and meaningful way.

Every year, thousands of Sri Lankan pilgrims visit Buddhist sites in North India. Sarnath takes prominence as the place where Lord Buddha, at the age of 35, taught his first sermon after attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya.

Sarnath is located 10 kilometers northeast of Varanasi, near the confluence of the Ganges and the Varuna rivers in Uttar Pradesh, India.

Kushinara and Bodhgaya are two other places of great significance for Sri Lankan Buddhist pilgrims. Kushinarar is the place where the Buddha attained Parinirvana, and Bodhgaya is the place where the noble one attained enlightenment.

Both are important pilgrimage sites for Buddhists from all over the world. They are places of great spiritual and historical significance. These sites are also of great architectural value, with many monuments and temples reflecting the culture and history of Buddhism in this region. Monks from many countries visit these sites to offer prayers and gain spiritual insight.

In a bid to facilitate people's embarkation on the path of seeking noble truth by visiting these places of great reverence and significance, the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation's (IRCTC) Buddhist Circuit Tourist Train on the Bharat Gaurav Trains concept has commenced its journey to these places of spiritual significance.

The Indian media has created some excitement and buildup by carrying many articles highlighting the importance of the Bharat Gaurav train concept. This concept aims to create a sense of national pride among the citizens. It will commemorate the heroes and milestones of India's freedom struggle. The train will be an ode to India's cultural diversity and will feature artifacts and art from different parts of the country.

In the Mahaparinirvana sutra, the Buddha tells his followers that they can attain merit and a noble rebirth by going on pilgrimage to the places where he was born (Lumbini), gained enlightenment (Bodhgaya), first taught (Sarnath), and attained Nirvana (Kushinagar). It is believed that such pilgrimages can purify one's karma, lead to a better rebirth, and bring one closer to enlightenment. Going on such a pilgrimage is considered a great honor.

The Buddhist tourist train takes people to these destinations and helps them experience firsthand Lord Buddha's self-discipline and legendary life.

India, the country where Buddhism originated, has rich memories of the Buddhist legacy. As part of its drive towards austerity, the only kinds of art and architecture it supported were stupas (stone-cased molds commemorating Buddha's relics), chaityas (prayer halls), and viharas (cells for monks). Buddhist Train India will help you visit all these places up close for a truly religious experience.

The seven-night and eight-day pilgrimage started on March 11 from Delhi's SafdarjungRailway Station. This is the first tourist train departure post-COVID-19. The tour concluded on March 18 at the Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station. The tour was organized by IRCTC and included destinations such as Mathura, Agra, Fatehpur Sikri, Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur, and Ajmer. The pilgrims experienced the culture and heritage of these cities and enjoyed the journey.

The journey covers nine places across India and Nepal that had a significant impact on Buddha's life and teachings. The Buddhist tourist train takes tourists to these places and helps them experience Lord Buddha's self-discipline and legendary life. Tourists can also benefit from various cultural and spiritual activities offered during the journey. The train provides an immersive experience for the tourists, allowing them to learn more about Buddhism and its teachings.

The train has two classes: AC 1st Class and AC 2nd Class. A total of 96 guests can travel in the first AC class, while 60 passengers are allowed in the second AC class, according to Financial Express. Both classes come with additional amenities like air conditioning, charging points, and comfortable seating. The train also has a dining car with food options. Passengers are also refreshed during the journey.

The train starts from Delhi on day one and traverses to Bodhgaya on day two. This is the place where Buddhism began. All pilgrims and followers of Lord Buddha have a special fondness for this place and the legend attached to it. Pilgrims visit the Mahabodhi Temple, where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. It is also close to the place where he delivered his first sermon, Sarnath.

A few weeks after he achieved enlightenment, the Buddha delivered his first sermon in Sarnath, north of Bodhgaya. For these reasons, it is considered one of the holiest places as far as Buddhists are concerned. Every year, thousands of pilgrims flock to the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodhgaya to pay homage to Lord Buddha and his teachings. It has special significance because it is the exact location where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. Additionally, there are many ancient Buddhist artifacts and monuments located near the temple that further add to its spiritual importance.

They usually visit here on the Bodhgaya tour, also known as the Buddha Gaya tour. Lord Buddha wandered near the Falgu River, seeking answers, when he sat under the Bodhi Tree. Three days and three nights of meditation helped him attain enlightenment and gain insight into humanity and being in general. On day three, passengers will travel to Nalanda, 72 kilometers from Patna. It is part of the Buddhist Circuit, which also includes Rajgir and Bodhgaya.

It is famous for Surya Mandir and Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall, both popular destinations in Nalanda Buddhist tourism. Surya Mandir has a 5-foot-tall statue of Goddess Parvati, which is the main attraction for devotees. The temple comes alive during Chatt Puja, which is held twice a year.

On Day Four, the IRCTC Buddha Varanasi Travel Train takes you to the holy city of Varanasi. This city is also known as Banaras and Kashi. According to legend, Buddha set the wheel of Dharma in motion. The city has been patronized by many emperors who supported different doctrines and cultures, including AdiShankar, who worshipped Shiva, and Akbar, who built two colossal temples dedicated to Shiva and Vishnu.

Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world and the spiritual capital of India. It is a place of profound cultural and religious significance and is believed to be Lord Shiva's home. The city has been a center for religious studies and learning for centuries. It is home to some of the best Hindu temples and pilgrimage sites.

On day five, it will enter Lumbini, Nepal. Lumbini is Lord Buddha's birthplace. Lumbini is located close to the Indian border, a few kilometers from Kathmandu. The nearest airport is in Bhairahawa, which is easily accessible by road. The site is now being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage center, where the archaeological remains of Lord Buddha are still there.

Kushinagar is next on the list of destinations to visit. On day six, it will reach Kushinagar. It is a pilgrimage center nestled in Uttar Pradesh. It is situated in northern India, a few kilometers from Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh). This place is famous because it is where Buddha attained Nirvana. It is one of the top four famous Buddhist pilgrimages.

On day seven, the train stops at Shravasti. It is a town in Uttar Pradesh. It was the capital of the ancient Indian kingdom of Kosala and the place where the Buddha lived most after his enlightenment. It is near the Rapti River in the northeastern part of Uttar Pradesh, India, close to the Nepalese border.

Finally, on Day 8, the train will take people to Agra. On the banks of the Yamuna lies one of Uttar Pradesh's most populous cities, Agra. It is a major tourist destination for many UNESCO World Heritage Sites like the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri.

The Buddhist Circuit: The IRCTC's latest tourist package covers all major cultural centers.

The package will cover all major Buddhist religious and cultural centers in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Nepal. Also, tourists will enjoy a visit to the famed Taj Mahal in Agra on the last day while returning to New Delhi from the eight-day tour.

The rail travel package includes a visit to the holy city of Varanasi, a glimpse of the ancient city of Patna, and a trip to the birthplace of Buddhism, Lumbini. Tourists will be accompanied by experienced guides throughout the entire journey. Accommodation in hotels, all meals, air-conditioned road transportation to tourist sites, a visit to the Taj Mahal, a Nepal visa access facility at Lumbini, and overall travel insurance

The eight-day tour costs Rs. 75,075 (Indian), which includes hotel stays in New Delhi before and after the trip as well as the Nepalese visa fee.

Meanwhile, it is encouraging to see that India has taken a keen interest in accommodating Buddhist pilgrims and developing the ancient Buddhist sites for their benefit. In April this year, inaugurating the global Buddhist summit in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the world is passing through challenges such as war, economic instability, terrorism, religious extremism, and climate change and asserted that Lord Buddha's ideas offer a solution to these problems.

"The noble teachings of Gautama Buddha have impacted countless people over centuries. Inspired by the teachings of Lord Buddha, India is taking new initiatives for global welfare," said PM Modi at the Global Buddhist Summit.