Incheon → New Delhi → Varanasi → Bodhgaya → Rajgir → Patna

India Gate - Formerly named as 'All India War Memorial' was a project of I.W.G.C (Imperial War Graves Commission). I.W.G.C came into existence in 1917 during the First World War. The commission takes responsibility to commemorate all the Commonwealth war dead individually or equally. All India War Memorial, now known as India Gate was commissioned in 1921, and stands strong as a memorial to all the 70,000 soldiers died in the First World War. Names of 13,000 servicemen including few from the United Kingdom is thoroughly inscribed on the gate. Though the structure resembles many great historical monuments, but it is sincerely compared with Arch De Triumph of Paris. Like most historical monuments, this world's largest memorial was also designed by Sir Edwin Landsir Lutyens and foundation stone was laid by Prince Arthur (the Duke Of Cannaught). 12 February 1931, on this historical day, Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy of India inaugurated the memorial and said, 'those who after us shall look upon this monument may learn in pondering its purpose something of that sacrifice and service which the names upon its walls record.' These great words intensified the majesty of the memorial. Amar Jawan Jyoti or the Flames of the immortal soldier was erected under the India Gate in 1972, to commemorate the soldiers martyred in the war of the liberation of Bangladesh in December 1971. Every year, on 26th January which marks as the occasion of Indian Republic Day, 16th Dec marked as Vijaya Diwas, 27th Oct which marks as the Infantry day in Indian history, the memorial is honoured with wreath by the Prime Minister of India and Chief of the Armed forces, to commemorate all the soldiers martyred in the wars, to all the unsung heroes of the nation, those who are known or unknown, sacrificed their lives for the nation.

Sarnath, also known as Mrigadava, Rishipattana and Isipatana throughout its long history. Mrigadava means “ Deer Park” : The name Mrigadava owes its origin to the fact that herds of deer roamed here freely as they had been granted immunity by the king of Varanasi, moved to compassion by the spirit of self-sacrifice of bodhisattva born an nyagrodhamriga. The modern name seems to be a contraction of saranganatha (lord of deer). Isipatana is the name used in the Pali Canon which means the place where holy men landed. The place was called Rishipatana as “once there lived five hundred pratyeka-buddhas or rishis in a big forest at a distance of a 10 km from Varanasi that once arose to the sky where they attained nirvana and thus their corporeal bodies fell of earth. The word Sarnath derives from the Sanskrit Saranganatha, which means "Lord of the Deer", and relates to another old Buddhist story in which the Bodhisattva is a deer and offers his life to a king instead of the doe the latter is planning to kill. The king is so moved that he creates the park as a sanctuary for deer.

The Chaukhandi Stupa is the place where, during his first visit to Sarnath, Lord Buddha met his first five disciples.

Mahabodhi Temple is considered one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, built to mark the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath a sacred Bodhi Tree. Gautama Siddhartha reached on the banks of the Niranjana river, Bodhgaya. There he sat in meditation under a peepul tree, which later became known as the Bodhi tree. Siddharta attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The Buddha then spent the succeeding seven weeks at seven different spots in the vicinity meditating and considering his experience. Several specific places at the current Mahabodhi Temple relate to the traditions surrounding these seven weeks: The first week was spent under the Bodhi tree. During the second week, the Buddha remained standing and stared, uninterrupted, at the Bodhi tree. This spot is marked by the Animeshlocha Stupa, to the north-east of the Mahabodhi Temple complex. There stands a statue of Buddha with his eyes fixed towards the Bodhi tree. The Buddha is said to have walked back and forth between the location of the Animeshlocha Stupa and the Bodhi tree. According to legend, lotus flowers sprung up along this route; it is now called Ratnachakrama or the jewel walk. He spent the fourth week near Ratnagar Chaitya, to the north-east side. During the fifth week, Buddha answered in details to the queries of Brahmins under the Ajapala Nigodh tree, now marked by a pillar. He spent the sixth week next to the Muchlinda pond. He spent the seventh week under the Rajyatna tree.

Sujata Stupa, also Sujata Kuti stupa or Sujata Garh, is a Buddhist stupa located in the village of Senanigrama (Bakraur) slightly east of Bodh Gaya in the state of Bihar, India. It lies directly across the Phalgu River from the town of Bodh Gaya, where Gautama Buddha is said to have attained enlightenment. It is a walk of about 20 minutes, from Bodh Gaya to Sujata Stupa. It was initially built in the 2nd century BCE as confirmed by finds of Dark Grey polished wares and a punch-marked coin in the monastery nearby

The Sujata Temple (or Sujata Mandir/Stupa) in Bakraur, near Bodhgaya, honors the milkmaid Sujata who famously offered milk-rice to Siddhartha Gautama, ending his seven-year fast and enabling him to follow the "middle path" to enlightenment. The site, located across the Phalgu River, features an excavated 2nd-century BCE stupa ruin, accessible daily.

Dharmaranya (meaning "Forest of Dharma") holds deep historical and spiritual significance for Buddhist tourists as it is one of the ancient names for Bodh Gaya itself. Today, the name specifically refers to the Dharmaranya Vedi (or Temple) located in Bakraur, just across the Phalgu River from the main Mahabodhi complex. Ancient Roots of Enlightenment: Historically, the entire region surrounding the Bodhi Tree was known as Dharmaranya or Uruvela. It was a dense forest where Siddhartha Gautama practiced intense austerities for six years before realizing the "Middle Way".Encounter with Ascetics: Buddhist tradition identifies Dharmaranya as the site where the Buddha met the "Matted-hair Ascetics" (Kassapa brothers) and imparted teachings from the Dhammapada, showcasing the area's role in the early spread of Buddhist philosophy.Path to the Middle Way: The temple is located near the Sujata Stupa in Bakraur, marking the area where the village girl Sujata offered the Buddha rice milk. This pivotal act of compassion provided him the strength to reach enlightenment, making the vicinity a key stop on the "Footsteps of Buddha" pilgrimage.Interfaith Spiritual Heritage: While primarily known as a sacred Hindu "Vedi" for ancestor rituals (Pind Daan), it remains a place of veneration for Buddhists who visit to pay homage to the Buddha's long period of meditation in these woods.

Before descending to the sacred town of Bodh gaya, it is believed that this is the same cave (also called the Mahakala caves), which protected Lord Buddha for six years, before he travelled to Bodh Gaya for attaining enlightenment These caves now house several temples which are widely visited by pilgrims who follow the trail of Lord Buddha’s journey.

Mahabodhi Temple is considered one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites, built to mark the site where the Buddha attained enlightenment beneath a sacred Bodhi Tree. Gautama Siddhartha reached on the banks of the Niranjana river, Bodhgaya. There he sat in meditation under a peepul tree, which later became known as the Bodhi tree. Siddharta attained enlightenment under the Bodhi tree. The Buddha then spent the succeeding seven weeks at seven different spots in the vicinity meditating and considering his experience. Several specific places at the current Mahabodhi Temple relate to the traditions surrounding these seven weeks: The first week was spent under the Bodhi tree. During the second week, the Buddha remained standing and stared, uninterrupted, at the Bodhi tree. This spot is marked by the Animeshlocha Stupa, to the north-east of the Mahabodhi Temple complex. There stands a statue of Buddha with his eyes fixed towards the Bodhi tree. The Buddha is said to have walked back and forth between the location of the Animeshlocha Stupa and the Bodhi tree. According to legend, lotus flowers sprung up along this route; it is now called Ratnachakrama or the jewel walk. He spent the fourth week near Ratnagar Chaitya, to the north-east side. During the fifth week, Buddha answered in details to the queries of Brahmins under the Ajapala Nigodh tree, now marked by a pillar. He spent the sixth week next to the Muchlinda pond. He spent the seventh week under the Rajyatna tree.

This is one of the most ancient sites where the Buddha is said to have preached his Lotus Sermon. Quite true to the meaning of its name as Vulture Peak indeed the peak appears as the shape of a vulture's head with a natural stone formation. The place is also referred as “Gujjhakut” in Buddhist text. One of the most ancient sites where the Buddha is said to have preached his Lotus Sermon was amongst the favorite meditating place of the Buddha. Even today one can feel the deep sense of spiritual power at the peak that is devoid of any man-made grandeur.

Venu Van or Bamboo grove was the Royal park Gifted to Lord Buddha for his Residence at Rajgir by King Bimbisara. It was king Bimbisar's first offering to Lord Buddha. The park was chosen by King Bimbisara since it was a quiet spot suitable for meditation as well as being in a convenient location not too far outside the town.The Buddha spent the second, third and fourth rainy season at Venuvana and many early discourses were preached at this site.A small tank can be seen in the park called Karandak Kanivapa. It is believed that Lord Buddha use to take bath during his stay in the Rajgir .