Pilgrimage to India

Memoirs and experiences :

Harshini PERERA in New Delhi

Among the many religions which were conceived in India, Hinduism and Buddhism play key roles in today's society. Hence, India's religious influences and cultural depth has transformed it into a destination famous for pilgrims and tourists alike.

It was a novel experience as a first-time traveller to India and especially with the intention of visiting the Buddhist Circuit. I had all the more reason to look forward to the journey as I would be traveling by a special train called Mahaparinirvan Express. This deluxe train service visits the sacred sites of the Buddha's life and guarantees the safety and comfort of its passengers. Maintained by the Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation, it was the recipient of the National Tourism Award of Excellence in 2009 from the Government of India.

After a comfortable flight bound for New Delhi aboard Jet Airways, the journey started off the next day at Safdarjung railway station. Guests arrive to the warm welcome of a traditional Indian ceremony and are garlanded in wreaths of marigold flowers and anointed with the traditional Pottu on their foreheads. An ensemble of musicians playing the Shehnai and other traditional musical instruments, entertained us as we waited for the

rest of the group to assemble. The myriad types of people from virtually all corners of the world, made me realize that this tour appeals to not only the Buddhist seeking to venerate these scared sites, but also to tourists who are drawn to the rich and captivating history of Buddhist teachings.

A warm reception welcomed us aboard the train which would become our home for the eight-day journey before us. Thanks to the hospitality extended to us by IRCTC, we were to be accommodated in airconditioned cabins. These are moderate sized compartments with two beds on either side with a lockable door for security and privacy.

With everyone aboard, the train leaves the Safdarjung Station heading for Bodhgaya which is a 990 Km journey overnight.

Early the following morning we depart to visit the important sites in Bodhgaya. Considered the most important destination in the world for Buddhist pilgrimage, Bodhgaya is the place where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment. Our tour guide Manoj, narrated the history of the sites that we visit after which we were given time for our personal devotion.

Our journey continued on to Rajgir with visits to Bimbisara Jail and Gridhakut Hill. Nalanda which is considered an architectural masterpiece was one of the world's first residential universities, housing nearly 10,000 students and 2,000 teachers in its time. As we explored the ruins of Nalanda, our guide related the history of the great libraries that housed tomes rich in Buddhist history.

After a night back on the train, we rose early once again on day four of our pilgrimage and we had arrived at Varanasi.

It was a special day on our schedule as we visited Sarnath (also named Isipatana in ancient times) the city where Buddha preached his first sermon, now termed as the Dhammachakkappavattana Sutta after his enlightenment.

After visiting Mulagandhakuti Vihar, we had the opportunity to spend the evening partaking in a boat ride on the river Ganges. The riverbank is site of traditional Hindu cremations taking place. Soon after sunset, the evening pooja for the river God ''Aarti'' is performed on the banks of the river Ganges. From our boats we could watch the devotees flow in numbers to participate in the colorful pooja.

We board the train later that night after an eventful day and the train departs Varanasi Station bound for Gorakhpur. On arrival the next morning we are transferred by a luxurious bus to Kushinagar.

Off-road transportation was wonderful throughout our journey as it gave us the opportunity to mix and mingle with the other passengers aboard the train.

Later we set off for our sightseeing tour. Kushinagar or Kushinara, is a key stop of our 8 day tour as it is the site where the Buddha attained Mahaparinirvan. Our time here was spent in peaceful meditation.

The next day after breakfast was bound for Lumbini, Nepal. Revered as the site where Queen Mahamayadevi gave birth to Prince Siddhartha, Lumbini is also the place where the Mayadevi Temple and the sacred tank exist.

Besides its obvious historical importance, the Mayadevi Temple was also a welcome site of meditation and peaceful reflection. Driving through vast landscapes of richly cultivated fields of sugarcane, paddy and mustard, we board the train once more, leaving behind the land of Nepal.

Day 6 takes us to Gonda and we step off the train to visit Sravasti. While in Rajgir the wealthy businessman Anathapindika first met Buddha and invited him to come to Sravasti. Anathapindika purchased a large park and built a monastery for the Buddha Called Jetavana. This park is where Buddha had spent 25 rainy retreats of his life and performed miracles to the villages to attract their faith. The final day of our tour is a tourist stop after the long pilgrimage. We toured on to the Taj Mahal, one of the most famous buildings in the world and the mausoleum of Shah Jahan's beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.

It is one of the New 7 Wonders of the World and one of three World Heritage Sites in Agra.

"The tour has taken us to some unbelievable places. Meanwhile the service of the tour guide has been excellent throughout this experience," a Sri Lankan and citizen of UK, Dr. Asoka Thenabadu said when asked about his trip on the Mahaparinirvan Express.

My journey was certainly an unforgettable experience and this sentiment was shared by my travelling companions as well. As a safe and reliable way to travel, the comfort is suited for even the most elderly to travel on with a less degree of exertion when compared to the traditional tours.