They are the Char Dham of Buddhist faith. In the Mahaparinirvana Sutra, the Buddha tells his followers that they can attain a noble rebirth by going on pilgrimage to the places where he was born (Lumbini), gained enlightenment (Bodhgaya), first taught (Sarnath) and attained Nirvana (Kushinagar). These four destinations are difficult to visit in one tour, unless you have discovered the little-known Indian Railways’ Buddhist Circuit Tourist Special train (earlier known as Mahaparinirvana Yatra). This eight-day train journey through destinations not on the average tourist’s map can be a memorable one even for the secular traveller. This journey into ancient India in an exclusive air-conditioned train is an altogether novel experience.