Just came back from a fantastic 'Buddhist Circuit Tour of India and Nepal.' We started the tour in Varanasi, visiting Sarnath, Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Vaisali, Kushinagar, Lumbini, and then flew back to Kathmandu. Never got scammed, and most people are very innocent. Cities are chaotic, and people are stressed with the hustle and bustle. But it is fun to navigate and observe markets. All of the Buddhist sites are off the main cities, peaceful, and have a great spiritual vibe. During the peak season (November - March), Buddhists from around the world gather around these sites and sit in prayer and meditation, making it feel like a different world inside India.
Rajgir was my favorite!
Rajgir, the former capital of the historical kingdom Magadha, is now a spiritual, historical, and natural refuge. This is a very lush country with hills and parks. The Cyclopean Wall, dating back to the 6th century, surrounds the ancient kingdom of Magadha. This is also a premier pilgrimage for Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains. Gridhakut Hill (Vulture's Peak) is a beautiful and scenic hill where Buddha delivered several sermons. The city, believed to be 3000 years old, also has the UNESCO heritage site of Nalanda University ruins.
Ending the tour in Nepal
Ending the tour in Nepal was rewarding as we had to get a visa for Lumnini anyway. Nepal was where Guru Padmashambhava was enlightened, and many Tibetan Buddhist masters visited after him. The place was a safe haven for several spiritual and cultural groups until the date. While we saw great monuments in India, Nepal is a living heritage of Buddhism. Moreover, every place we go to is scenic, natural, and packed with highly cultural experiences. Easy to see the Himalayas from most of the places we visited. Winter is actually the best time as the weather was fantastic with crisp skies and warm days.
One of my favorite pictures from the trip.
