Buddhist story in which the Bodhisattva is a deer and offers his life to a king
instead of the doe he is planning to kill. The king is so moved that he creates
the park as a sanctuary for deer.All of the ancient buildings and structures at
Sarnath were damaged or destroyed by the Turks. However, amongst the
ruins the Dharmekh Stupa is impressive at 128 feet high, and 93 in diameter.
This dates from around 200 BC and is the spot where the Buddha is said to
have preached his first sermon. Only the foundations remain of the
Dharmarajika Stupa, but it is notable as a rare pre-Ashokan stupa. The
decaying ruins of the Mulagandhakuti Vihara mark the place where the
Buddha spent his first rainy season in meditation. In the 7th century, a writer
described it as 200 feet high and containing 100 niches containing a Buddha
carving along each wall. A life-sized statue shows the Buddha turning the
wheel of the law. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 9:
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Morning Ghat tour of Varanasi.Varanasi or Kashi is older than
traditions. Varanasi presents a unique combination of
physical, metaphysical and supernatural elements. According
to the Hindu mythology, Varanasi liberates soul from
human body to the ultimate. It is the Ganga Ghats of Varanasi that
complement the concept of divinity. Ghats of Ganga are perhaps the holiest
spots of Varanasi. The Ganga Ghats at Varanasi are full of pilgrims who flock
to the place to take a dip in the holy Ganges, which is believed to absolve one
from all sins. There are number of temples on the bank of the Ganga river in
Varanasi. It is believed that people are cleansed physically, mentally and
spiritually at Ganga Ghats. It is at the Ganga Ghats where we see life and
death together. For thousands of years people have been thronging these
Ghats to offer their morning prayers to the rising sun. There are more than
100 ghats along side Ganga in Varanasi. Some of the prominent and popular
Ghats at Varanasi are the Dasaswamedh Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat,
Harischandra Ghat, Kabir Ghat and Assi Ghat. After early lunch drive down
to Bodhgaya.On arrival check in at hotel. Dinner & overnight stay at hotel.
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