Day 1: Capital New Delhi-Varanasi-Sarnath

Indian Pilgrimage Trip 8th

Travel Date：2024-12-04

The Capital of India: New Delhi

New Delhi is the capital of India, located in the northern part of the country within the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT of Delhi). As the political center of India, New Delhi is home to the central government, including the Presidential Residence, Prime Minister’s Office, Parliament House, and the Supreme Court.

As a cultural and economic hub, New Delhi is rich in historical landmarks, museums, and iconic structures, such as the India Gate, Rashtrapati Bhavan (Presidential Residence), and the Lotus Temple. Known for its cultural diversity and thriving economy, New Delhi stands as one of the most significant metropolises in the world.

Sarnath

The place where Buddha first preached, where he preached the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path to five ascetics, marking the founding of Buddhism. Sarnath is one of the important holy places of Buddhism, located about 10 kilometers north of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, India. Sarnath is famous for the first Dharma wheel of Sakyamuni Buddha here, and is a milestone in the history of the spread of Buddhism. Sarnath is one of the four holy places of Buddhism (the other three are: Bodh Gaya, Vulture Peak and Kushinagar). The Sanskrit name of Sarnath is “Mrigadava”, which means “forest where deer play”. It is said that this place was once a place where many deer lived, hence the name.