₹0₹345,000
Buddhist circuit yatra at a glance
The Buddhist circuit links the places where the Buddha was born, attained enlightenment, taught and passed away: Lumbini in Nepal, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Vaishali in Bihar, and Sarnath and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. A full circuit takes about 8 days by road, with long drives but no trekking. The best season is October to March. It is a sacred journey for Buddhists and a deeply rewarding one for Hindu families, as it passes Gaya, Prayagraj and Kashi. Our Dehradun team plans hotels, vehicle, guides and vegetarian meals.
Which Buddhist circuit yatra is right for you?
If you want the complete story from birth to mahaparinirvana, choose our eight-day Buddhist Circuit, which runs from Lumbini to Sarnath. If you are already visiting Prayagraj for a Sangam snan, the short Kaushambi Prayagraj yatra adds the ruins of Kaushambi, where the Buddha is said to have spent two rainy seasons. Both yatras are listed below.
| Yatra | Duration | Starts from | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaushambi Prayagraj Yatra | 3 days / 2 nights | Prayagraj | Sangam snan plus Buddhist Kaushambi | From ₹25,000 per person |
| Buddhist Circuit | 8 days / 7 nights | Lumbini | Full life-of-Buddha circuit, eight days | On request |
Which places are on the Buddhist circuit?
| Place | Event in the Buddha's life | What you see |
|---|---|---|
| Lumbini, Nepal | Birth of Siddhartha | Maya Devi temple, Ashokan pillar, sacred pond, monastic zone |
| Bodh Gaya, Bihar | Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree | Mahabodhi temple (UNESCO World Heritage), Bodhi tree, Vajrasana |
| Sarnath, near Varanasi | First sermon, Dhammachakra Pravartan | Dhamek Stupa, Ashokan lion capital in the museum |
| Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh | Mahaparinirvana | Mahaparinirvana temple with the reclining Buddha, Ramabhar Stupa |
| Rajgir, Bihar | Years of teaching; Gridhakuta (Vulture's Peak) | Gridhakuta hill, Venuvana, hot springs, ropeway to the Vishwa Shanti Stupa |
| Nalanda, Bihar | Ancient Buddhist university | Ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara (UNESCO World Heritage) |
| Vaishali, Bihar | Announced his coming parinirvana; first order of nuns | Ashokan pillar, relic stupa |
| Kaushambi, Uttar Pradesh | Sixth and ninth rainy-season retreats, Ghositarama monastery | Ruins of Ghositarama, Ashokan pillar fragment, old fort mound |
Two of the eight great Buddhist pilgrimage places, Shravasti and Sankisa, lie further west in Uttar Pradesh. We can add them on request.
How the eight-day Buddhist circuit runs
Our Buddhist Circuit yatra begins at Lumbini and moves east and south in the order of the Buddha's life as closely as the roads allow:
- Lumbini (1 night): Maya Devi temple and the monastic zone.
- Kushinagar (1 night): Mahaparinirvana temple and Ramabhar Stupa.
- Vaishali and Patna (1 night in Patna): Ashokan pillar and relic stupa on the way.
- Rajgir and Nalanda (1 night): Gridhakuta, Vishwa Shanti Stupa and the Nalanda ruins.
- Bodh Gaya (2 nights): the Mahabodhi temple at dawn and dusk, and the monasteries of many nations.
- Sarnath and Varanasi (1 night): Dhamek Stupa, the museum and the Ganga aarti.
The longest drives, Kushinagar to Patna and Bodh Gaya to Varanasi, take about six to seven hours each. We start after breakfast, stop for tea, and never drive after dark where it can be avoided.
Documents for Lumbini and site tickets
- Indian citizens need no visa for Nepal. Carry an original passport or Election Commission voter ID card; Aadhaar alone is not always accepted at the border.
- Foreign nationals and NRIs on foreign passports need a Nepal visa and a multiple-entry Indian visa to re-enter India. Tell us early so we can plan the border crossing.
- Getting to Lumbini: Gautam Buddha International Airport at Bhairahawa is close by, and Gorakhpur is about 100 km away on the Indian side.
- Site tickets: Nalanda, Vaishali, Kushinagar and Sarnath are protected sites with ticketed entry. At the Mahabodhi temple, phones must be deposited before entry and a small camera fee is charged.
When is the best time for the Buddhist circuit?
October to March is the best time. Days are mild and the monasteries at Bodh Gaya are full of life, with monks and pilgrims from Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Tibet, Japan and beyond. December and January can be foggy in the mornings. April to June is extremely hot in the plains, and in July to September roads in north Bihar are slow because of rain and flooding.
Buddha Purnima falls on 20 May 2027. Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, Kushinagar and Lumbini hold special prayers that day. It is a moving time to be present, but it is also the peak of summer, so plan early starts and rest in the afternoon.
Combining the Buddhist circuit with Hindu tirthas
The Buddhist circuit passes some of the holiest Hindu places in India, and many families combine them:
- Gaya: Vishnupad temple and pind daan on the Falgu, only about 15 km from Bodh Gaya. See our Gaya pind daan guide and the Kashi–Gaya Pind Daan Yatra with Bodh Gaya.
- Kashi: Sarnath is next to Varanasi. Our Varanasi & Sarnath Yatra and other Kashi and Ayodhya yatras include Kashi Vishwanath darshan.
- Prayagraj: the Kaushambi Prayagraj Yatra pairs Triveni Sangam snan and Lalita Devi with Kaushambi.
- Nepal: from Lumbini, our Nepal yatras continue to Pashupatinath and Muktinath.
What we arrange
We arrange hotels near the main sites, a private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver, local guides at the major sites, vegetarian meals as listed in each package, and help with border documents for Lumbini. Our Dehradun team stays in touch throughout.
Frequently asked questions
How many days are needed for the Buddhist circuit?
About eight days cover Lumbini, Kushinagar, Vaishali, Rajgir, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath by road without rushing. If you skip Lumbini and Kushinagar, Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and Sarnath can be done in four to five days. Adding Shravasti and Sankisa needs two or three extra days.
Do Indians need a passport to visit Lumbini?
No visa is needed, but Indian citizens must carry an original passport or Election Commission voter ID card as proof of nationality. Aadhaar alone is not always accepted at the Nepal border. Children should carry a birth certificate or school ID along with a parent's document.
Is the Buddhist circuit suitable for senior citizens?
Yes, with patience for long drives. There is no trekking. Rajgir's Gridhakuta has steps, and a ropeway reaches the Vishwa Shanti Stupa. The Nalanda ruins involve walking on uneven ground. We keep two nights at Bodh Gaya so elders get a rest day in the middle of the yatra.
Can Hindus visit the Mahabodhi temple?
Yes. The Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya is open to people of all faiths. Many Hindus revere the Buddha as an avatar of Vishnu, and families often visit Bodh Gaya on the same day as pind daan at Gaya. Dress modestly, remove shoes at the entrance, and deposit your phone before entry.
What is the best month for the Buddhist circuit?
November to February is ideal: cool days, clear roads and the busy season at the Bodh Gaya monasteries. October and March are also good, though warmer. Avoid April to June if you can, because of the heat, and July to September, because of flooding and slow roads in north Bihar.
Why is Kaushambi part of the Buddhist circuit?
Kaushambi, about 60 km from Prayagraj, was a great city in the Buddha's time. The merchant Ghosita built the Ghositarama monastery there, and the Buddha is said to have spent his sixth and ninth rainy-season retreats at Kaushambi. Uttar Pradesh Tourism is developing new visitor facilities at the site.
Tell us your dates, entry city and who is travelling, and we will suggest the right Buddhist circuit plan with a clear day-by-day itinerary. Use the enquiry form on this page or call/WhatsApp us; our numbers are on the Contact page.