Odisha Buddhist Tour

Day 1: BHUBANESWAR -Konark- Puri

Upon arrival at Bhubaneswar Airport, transfer to Puri On the way visit Dhaulagiri (is one of the famous Buddhist destinations in India, where Mauryan Emperor Ashoka renounced the path of violence and embraced Buddhism, after witnessing the devastation of the Kalinga war & also known as “Peace Pagoda” ), Pipili (Applique work village), Konark Sun Temple (The temple was built by King Narasimhadeo in the 13th century, it is counted among the 7 wonders of India, famous for a world heritage site & also known as “Black Pagoda”)then check-in To the Hotel after fresh up evening enjoy at Golden Beach (Amazing sceneries of the sunset), back to hotel & overnight stay at Puri.

Day 2: Puri-Gopalpur

After breakfast Check Out From the Hotel visit the 12th-century world famous Jagannath Temple(one of the four dhams, Only Hindus are allowed inside the premises of Jagannath temple), then transfer to Gopalpur Check in to the Hotel Over night stay At Gopalpur.

Day 3 Gopalpur-Chandragiri-Budhakhol-Gopalpur:-

After breakfast drive to Chandragiri of Gajapati district, stands the beautiful Padmasambhava Mahavihara monastery, reportedly the largest in eastern India. The colony which houses the monastery is Buddha Vihar (the land of happiness and plenty) and area is popularly known as a mini Tibet in Odisha. The monastery is named after Acharya Padmasambhava, who was born in Odisha and is believed to have spread Buddhism to Tibet in 7th century. Inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 2010, it has been built as per the ‘Atanpuri style of Nalanda’ and in the assembly hall, a 23-foot- high idol of Lord Buddha along with his two disciples have been installed. On the right side of the

Buddha’s idol is Avalokiteswar and on the left, is the idol of Guru Nangsi Zilnon. Budhakhol which is a heritage site of Odisha located in Buguda block of Ganjam District in Odisha.The name of the place Budhakhol is derived from Badhesvara, which means Buddha in meditating position. It is strongly believed that Buddha visited the place. Huentsang also visited the place and witnessed the learning and teaching of Buddhists and believed that it was one of the best place to learn Buddhism. The Panchumahadeva temples are believed to be built in the era of Jagadguru AdiShankaracharya. Hence the place is a mix of both Buddhism and Hinduism. 42 Feet Height Statues of Lord Shiva and Parvati donated by Indian Princess Ipsita Pati at Budhakhol and then back to Hotel & overnight stay at Gopalpur.

Day 4 Gopalpur-Bhubaneswar:-

After breakfast, checkout from the hotel then drive to Bhubaneswar, En-Route Visit Rambha(Rambha is famous For its scenic beauty and bird sanctuary. Covering an area of about, one, thousand square kilometers, lakhs of resident and migratory birds of different hues make Chilika their home during winter. ) check in to the hotel & relax. After fresh up visit Khandagiri & Udayagiri caves (Old rock cut caves, built by Mahamegha vahana Aira Kharabela), Iscon Temple, free time for shopping, then back to hotel & overnight stay at Bhubaneswar.

Day 5 Bhubaneswar-Lalitgiri-Ratnagiri-Udaygiri-Bhubaneswar:-

After breakfast proceed full-day Excursion to the Diamond Triangle Of Odisha i.e. Lalitigiri ( Archeological site of a Buddhist Monastery from 4th to 8th Cen A D ) with Monastery parts and many votive Stupa, all different Buddhist sculptors with Chaita hall and a Huge stupa from where caskets of Buddha’s relic is available. Ratnagiri, the Largest Buddhist monastery we have till now, flourished from 4th to 14th century A D with most of the sculptors of the Vajrayanic sect, hundreds of Votive Stupa & brick Stupa, and a huge monastery. Later visit Udaygiri, another huge Buddhist monastery still under excavation, back to Bhubaneswar Hotel and overnight stay at Bhubaneswar.

Day 6 Bhubaneswar-Kayam-Langudi-Bhubaneswar:-

After breakfast Full day visit to Kayam Hill Buddhist cave and Langudi Giri which is one of the recent excavations with ruins of Monastery, Stupas, and a lot of Mahayanic sculptors. The site is situated in Salipur village of Jajpur district. There are a series of 34 rock-cut Buddhist stupas and several early medieval Buddhist monuments and shrines atop the hill. The most popular of these rock-cut stupas is the 7th-century ‘Samudra Mudra’ image of Lord Buddha. Historians say the hill also has the remains of Pushpagiri University or Pushpagiri Mahavihara, a major Buddhist center of learning that flourished from 2nd century BC to 10th century AD. The remains indicate that it was a centre of the Hinayana, Mahayana and Vajrayana sects of Buddhism then drive back to Bhubaneswar Hotel & overnight stay at Bhubaneswar.

Day 7 Bhubaneswar-Local

After Breakfast visit Lingaraj Temple (Dedicated to Harihara, a combination of Lord Shiva & Vishnu, this temple was constructed in the 11th century, by Jajati Keshari, a Somavanshi king), Kalabhumi Craft Museum (Closed on Monday),Ram Mandir, ISKCON Temple, Ekmra Hatt, free time for shopping then drop at Bhubaneswar Airport for your onward journey with sweet memories of Odisha.

Day 8 Bhubaneswar-Drop

After Breakfast Check out From the Hotel, free time for shopping then drop at Bhubaneswar Airport for your onward journey with sweet memories of Odisha.