Upon arrival at Varanasi airport or railway station, transfer to your hotel. Varanasi, the world’s oldest continuously inhabited city, is revered as the "city of temples." It’s notable for Buddha’s visit post-Nirvana to seek his disciples who advocated self-mortification for redemption.
After lunch, we’ll explore Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his First Sermon at Deer Park (Rishipattana). Visit key sites including the Buddha Temple, Dhamekha Stupa, Chaukhandi Stupa, Mulagandh Kuti Vihara, and the Archaeological Museum, which showcases artifacts from the Sarnath site.
In the evening, experience the Ganga Arti at the Ghats or a Buddhist ritual ceremony at the Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple, built with contributions from the AIK World Buddhist Cultural Association Japan and the Sri Lanka Buddhist Foundation. The temple features a domed shrine with a Buddha portrait and ceremonial items, framed by ink paintings on the wall.
Return to the hotel for dinner and an overnight stay in Varanasi.
