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Experience a blessing at a Monastery

Varanasi, India
Experience a blessing at a Monastery — experience photograph
India
Experiences
Experience a blessing at a Monastery
Sarnath is a place where time slows down, and the soul finds peace. Known for its enchanting frescoes and serene walking paths, it’s a spiritual haven where history and tranquility meet.

The ancient Vihars, or Buddhist temples, and monasteries create an atmosphere of profound reverence. Many of these sacred complexes were built by the Maha Bodhi Society in 1931, honoring Buddha’s original teachings and offering a glimpse into the timeless wisdom of the past. As you wander through this sacred land, you'll be guided to one of these beautiful monasteries, where you’ll have the rare opportunity to interact with the monks, their calm presence offering a sense of peace like no other.

A blessing ceremony will allow you to connect with the deeper energies of Sarnath, enveloping you in a sense of tranquility and spiritual renewal. It's more than just a visit; it's an unforgettable journey into the heart of Buddhism and a chance to feel the profound stillness of one of the most sacred places on Earth.

What our travellers say

We went to Sri Lanka as a three-generation family of three. The superb trip was organised by Samanthie and the team and it's difficult to see how it could have been bettered.
Roy Wood (February 2026)
Red Dot organised the most wonderful 3-week holiday for us. Samanthie built a trip around the amazing sights we had requested visiting, together with her own suggestions and a wide mix of hotels, which gave us the flavours of both traditional Sri Lanka and the sleek, stylish contemporary version of the country. Our Driver made the whole experience incredibly special for us.
Alie C (February 2026)
I can’t thank Cherylle and the Red Dot team enough for their meticulous planning of our family holiday to India travelling through Rajasthan over Christmas. As a family of all adults, every suggestion from daily activities to hotel choices was simply perfect. We travelled through Delhi, Ranthambore (an unforgettable tiger safari!), Jaipur and Agra and I truly feel we experienced the very best of each destination while moving at a relaxed, well thought out pace
Daisy Stanton (February 2026)
My partner arranged a holiday trip at fairly short notice to Sri Lanka with Red Dot on a recommendation, Samanthie was so patient & helpful with her suggested itinerary which we followed with some minor amendments. On arrival at Colombo we met Manjula our chauffeur/guide who was absolutely brilliant!
Andrew S (February 2026)
Dulmini and the Red Dot Team arranged a fantastic trip for us around Assam and North East India. Faultless service. I cannot recommend them more highly.
Martin Thomas (February 2026)
Wonderful company. Our holiday in Sri Lanka was perfect. Local knowledge made all the difference
Sandra Nicholson  (February 2026)
We looked up, and communicated with umpteen tour operators. Though Red Dot seemed to have offices in Sri Lanka and the UK, they seemed to have the best reviews. We were fortunate enough to correspond with Cherylle, who not only assured us of the safety of our friend, but created a personalised, and flexible, itinerary which we could not have done ourselves.
Jayant Banerji (February 2026)
A 14-day tour with Red Dot Tours was the perfect antidote to the bleak UK winter. After a glowing recommendation from a friend, we contacted Red Dot Tours and were not disappointed. Our consultant, Lahiru, curated a seamless itinerary. Throughout the planning phase, Lahiru was incredibly responsive; the final itinerary—delivered via a user-friendly 'Guest Portal'—was impressively detailed, covering every hotel stay and excursion.
Phil Blair ( February 2026)
Traveller testimonial from Roy Wood (February 2026)

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