Chhath Puja, Madhubani Art & Buddhist Tour: Bihar’s Cultural Trail

Arrive in Patna Airport. Capital of Bihar state, India.

Patna, founded in 490 BCE, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. Originally known as Pataliputra, it served as the capital of the Magadha Empire under dynasties like the Mauryas and Guptas. Located by the Ganges, it was a major political, cultural, and spiritual center in ancient India. A hub of learning, it was home to renowned scholars such as Aryabhata and Chanakya, and was deeply influenced by Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism.

Meet and greet by a Punpun Trails representative, followed by transfer to the hotel. Standard check-in time is 1400 hrs.

After lunch, relax for an hour. In the evening, proceed to Patna Sahib to visit Takht Sri Patna Sahib Gurdwara, also known as Takhat Sri Harimandir Ji — the birthplace of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs and one of the five Takhts (Panj Takht) of Sikhism.,

Overnight stay in Patna.

After breakfast drive to Darbhanga Approx 145 kms / 4 Hours also known as the mithila capital of Bihar. Upon arrival , Check In hotel. Later visit The forts and havelies of Darbhanga Raj. Visit Laxmeshwar Vilas Palace, Nargauna Palace, Rambagh Palace, Bela Palace etc . Dinner and overnight stay at Darbhanga .

After morning breakfast at hotel proceed to Madhubani approx 40 kms/ 1 Hours famous for Madhubani Painting . Madhubani painting is a traditional folk art of region of Bihar. Visit place like Jetwarpur, Ranti, Rasidpur, Bacchi, and Rajangarh are also well know for this unique art. You will visit Mithila Painting workshop at Ranti or Jitwarpur Village where female artist show you the method and art form of Madhubani painting. Get hands-on with the Madhubani artists and learn how this exquisite piece of art is created. Return to Darbhanga.

Local cuisine Dinner and Overnight stay at Darbhanga

Morning breakfast drive to Rajgir   En route visit  Nalanda En-route  visit the ruins of Nalanda Mahavihara and oldest university of the World – a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned International Centre for Buddhist Studies. Nalanda Museum collection of antiquities sculptures, inscription and stone images found from the excavated site.

Later proceed to Rajgir approx 15 Kms/ 30 Minutes the capital of ancient Magadh. Upon arrival ,check In hotel.  Rest of the day is free. Overnight stay at Rajgir .

Morning visiting Gridhrakuta Hill also known as Vulture’s peak, where Buddha was said to have rested after the days preaching. Vishwa Shanti Stupa or World Peace Stupa was built by Japanese monk Fujii Guruji located at atop the Ratnagiri hills accessed by Chair Lift Aerial Ropeway. Venuvana also known as Bamboo Grove was built by King Bimbisara. Monastery surrounded by bamboo trees Buddha spent many of the rain-retreats

After  Lunch  drive to Bodh Gaya –  The land of enlightenment.   Upon arrival check In hotel.

. Dinner and overnight stay at Bodh Gaya

Breakfast at the hotel proceed Bodhgaya visit Mahabodhi Temple a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Bodhi Tree where the Buddha attained enlightenment. Sujata Village- Girl Sujata offers the rice milk bowl to Buddha and ended Sakyamuni’s hard asceticism. Later visits Burmese Temple , Thai Temple , Tibetan Monastery , Chinese Temple & many more International Monastery and Temple ( Closing Time 17:00) and 80th feet Statue. Lunch at  Hotel . Rest of hours .
In evening before Sunset attended Chhath Pooja Sandhya Arghya

Sandhya Arghya – The Evening Offering of Chhath Puja
Observed on the third day of Chhath Puja, Sandhya Arghya is a sacred ritual where devotees offer prayers to the setting sun. Standing in rivers or ponds, they present offerings like thekua, fruits, and seasonal produce in a traditional bamboo basket (sup).
Fasting devotees gather at water bodies, chant mantras, and offer gratitude to Surya Dev for life and energy. It’s a deeply spiritual and community-centric celebration, marked by devotion, purity, and tradition

 Chhath Puja is a four-day festival—most famously observed on the sixth day of Kartika—in Bihar, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. Devotees fast, take holy baths and offer prayers to the rising and setting Sun (Surya) and his wife Usha, giving thanks for life, health and prosperity. While a lesser summer Chhath follows Holi, the Kartika celebration is the most sacred.

Rituals of Chhath Puja – In Brief

Day 1 – Nahay Khay: Devotees bathe in holy rivers like the Ganga or Kosi and bring home sacred water to prepare the day’s prasad. This marks the beginning of the four-day ritual.

Day 2 – Kharna: A day-long fast ends after sunset with offerings like kheer, bananas, and rice. After this, a 36-hour waterless fast begins.

Day 3 – Sandhya Arghya: Devotees prepare prasad like thekua, fruits, and coconut, then offer ‘arghya’ to the setting sun at a riverbank or water body.

Day 4 – Bihaniya Arghya: The final morning prayer is offered to the rising sun. The fast is then broken with simple food like ginger and sugar, marking the end of the festival.

Return to Hotel.  Dinner and overnight stay at  Bodh Gaya

Early morning  attend sha Arghya (Bihaniya Arghya) – Morning Offering
On the fourth day of Chhath Puja, devotees gather at the riverbank before sunrise to offer prayers to the rising sun. The offerings (arghya) are made using sauri or supali while singing devotional songs dedicated to Chhathi Maiya.

After the ritual, prasad is shared, blessings are exchanged, and the vrattis (devotees) return home to break their 36-hour fast with ginger and water—a ritual known as Paran (Parna). Light, simple food is then served.

This marks the conclusion of the four-day-long Chhath Puja, filled with devotion, discipline, and community spirit.

After breakfast , In time transfer to  Gaya Airport for onward journey