New Delhi: The Buddhist Circuit Tourist train on the Bharat Gaurav Railways concept has started its spiritual journey to make it easier for people to start down the path of enlightenment.

The Buddha instructs his followers in the Mahaparinirvana sutra that they can make merit and have a virtuous rebirth by making a pilgrimage to the cities where he was born (Lumbini), obtained enlightenment (Bodhgaya), began to teach (Sarnath), and attained Nirvana (Kushinagar). Tourists can travel to these locations on the Buddhist tourist train and get a first-hand look at the self-controlled and illustrious life of Lord Buddha.

India, the birthplace of Buddhism, has a long history of Buddhist legacy. Stupas, Chaityas (prayer halls), and Viharas were the only forms of art and architecture that it endorsed as part of its push towards austerity. Stupas are stone-cased moulds that honour Buddha relics (cells for the monks). For a really spiritual experience, Buddhist Train India will assist you with travelling to each of these locations up close.

On March 11, the tour's seven nights and eight days got underway from Delhi's Safdarjung Railway Station. This is the tourist train's first voyage following the COVID-19 pandemic. At Delhi Safdarjung Railway Station, on March 18, the tour would come to an end.

Nine locations in India and Nepal will be visited during the rail excursion, all of which had a significant influence on the life and teachings of the Buddha. The Buddhist tourist train transports visitors to these locations and enables them to get a glimpse of Lord Buddha's self-controlled and illustrious life.

There are two different classes aboard the train: AC First Class and AC Second Class. According to Financial Express, the First AC class can seat 96 people while the Second AC class only allows 60. On Day 1, the train departs from Delhi, and on Day 2, it travels to Bodhgaya, the birthplace of Buddhism. This location and the mythology associated with it are beloved by all pilgrims and practitioners of Buddhism. 

On the Bodhgaya tour, commonly known as the Buddha Gaya tour, they frequently stop here. When Lord Buddha chose to sit under the Bodhi Tree, he was walking near the banks of the Falgu river looking for answers. After meditating for three days and three nights, he became enlightened and gained understanding of the human condition. On the third day, it will transport travellers to Nalanda, which is located on the Buddhist Circuit and is 72 kilometres from Patna and also contains Rajgir and Bodhgaya.

Surya Temple and Hieun Tsang Memorial Hall are well-known for being major Nalanda Buddhist tourist locations. The main draw for worshippers at Surya Mandir is a 5 foot tall statue of Goddess Parvati. During Chatt Puja, which is conducted here twice a year, the temple comes to life.

On Day 4, the IRCTC Buddha Varanasi Travel Train transports you to Varanasi, a holy city also known as Banaras and Kashi. According to legend, Buddha delivered his first sermon here, starting the process of dharma. Several kings have supported many ideologies and civilizations in the city, including Adi Shankar, who worshipped Shiva, and Akbar, who constructed two enormous temples to Shiva and Vishnu.

It will arrive in Lumbini, Nepal, on Day 5. The birthplace of Lord Buddha is Lumbini, which lies a few kilometres outside of Kathmandu and very near to the Indian border. The closest airport is located at Bhairahawa, which is reachable by car. Archaeological relics of Lord Buddha are still present at the location, which is presently being developed as a Buddhist pilgrimage centre.

Kushinagar is next on the list of travel. On Day 6, it will reach Kushinagar. It is a pilgrimage centre nestled in the beautiful state of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated in Northern India, a few kilometers from Gorakhpur. This place is famous because The Great Lord Buddha attained Nirvana here. It is one of the top 4 famous Buddhist Pilgrimages.

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