Day 1 Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi. You will be met by our representative on arrival at airport & will escort you till check in at hotel.
Delhi, the Empress of Indian cities has a fascinating history and a stimulating present. She has often been sacked and left naked and desolate. But she could not be despoiled of the incomparable situation that marks her for the metropolis of a Great Empire. The capital of India, Delhi has been the seat of power of a number of dynasties – the Rajputs, the Afghans, the Turks and the Mughals who continued their imperial line until the British. Scattered over are surviving ruins, remnants of mighty edifices, tombs of warriors and saints, which in an impressive sense of magnificence are memorials not of a single city but of supplanted nations.
Overnight at hotel
Day 2 Delhi/Haridwar
Morning drive to Haridwar
Haridwar is situated on the right bank of the holy River Ganga, and is the point where the river spreads over the northern plain. Associated with both Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, Haridwar is among the seven sacred cities of India. It is also one of the four venues for the Kumbh Mela, held in its magnitude every twelve years. Essentially a religious centre which holds promise of salvation for devotees, Haridwar is also a centre of herbal medicine, and traditional studies at Gurukul Kangri. There are many places of scenic beauty on the outskirts of the town.
Balance day at leisure
Overnight at hotel
Day 3 In Haridwar
Morning city tour
Sightseeing includes visit to Chandi devi – A panoramic view of Haridwar can be enjoyed from the temple of Chandi Devi located on top of Neel Parvat. The temple is a 3 km trek from Chandi Ghat. Legend has it that Chanda-Munda the army chief of the local demon king, Shumbha-Nishumbha, was killed by Goddess Chandi here. Bharat mata temple –is a eight storey building in which the images of cities, heroes and great men are installed. Shanti kunj– is the famous ashram of Gayatri. Followers and pilgrims from far and wide converge here for yoga and natural cures.
Evening visit to Har-ki-pauri- this is the most important ghat on the river Ganga, at Haridwar, where a holy dip is a must for every devotee. The Ganga Aarti performed every evening is a spectacular sight when thousands of lighted lamps are set afloat on the river, after a common evening prayer is said by all the priest from the many thousands of temples .
Overnight at hotel
Day 4 Haridwar/Rishikesh/Haridwar
Morning drive to Rishikesh
Situated 24 km. upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Rivers Chandrabhaga and Ganga, Rishikesh has long been a spiritual centre. It is said that the sage Raibhya Rishi did severe penance here and as a reward, God appeared to him in the form of Hrishikesh, hence the name. Rishikesh has numerous ashrams, some of which are internationally recognised as centres of philosophical studies, yoga and meditation. An international yoga week is organised here every year between 2nd and 7th February. For the adventurous, there are opportunities for white water rafting on the River Ganga.
City tour of Rishikesh
Visit includes Triveni ghat –bathing ghat where every evening an Aarti to river Ganga is performed. Lakshman jhoola -A suspension bridge across the Ganga along the old route to the holy shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath. Temples – include Raghunath Temple, Pushkar Temple, Venkateshwsar Temple, Chandra Mauleshwaran Temple, Shatrughan Temple, Bharat Mandir and Lakshman Temple.
After city tour drive back to Haridwar
Overnight at hotel
Day 5 In Haridwar
Full day at leisure
Overnight at hotel
Day 6 Haridwar/Delhi
Morning Drive to Delhi
On arrival check in at hotel
Overnight at hotel
Day 7 Delhi/Mathura-150 Kms/Approx 04 hrs
Morning drive to Mathura
The city of Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, the nucleus of Brajbhoomi, is located at a distance of 145 km south-east of Delhi and 58 km north-west of Agra. Covering an area of about 3,800 sq. km., today, Brajbhoomi can be divided into two distinct units – the eastern part in the trans-Yamuna tract with places like Gokul, Mahavan, Baldeo, Mat and Bajna and the western side of the Yamuna covering the Mathura region that encompasses Vrindavan, Govardhan, Kusum Sarovar, Barsana and Nandgaon.
Afternoon at leisure
Overnight at hotel
Day 8 In Mathura
Morning full day city tour of Mathura, Gokul,Varindavan and Jaitpura
The land where Shri Krishna was born and spent his youth, has today little towns and hamlets that are still alive with the Krishna legend and still redolent with the music of his flute. Mathura, a little town on the River Yamuna was transformed into a place of faith after Lord Krishna was born here. Vrindavan, a village – once noted for its fragrant groves, is where he spent an eventful youth. There are numerous other little spots in the area that still reverberate with the enchantment of Shri Krishna.
Vrindavan, a village – Ten kilometers (6 miles) from Mathura is a town of temples with some of the most magnificent shrines in North India. Once noted for its fragrant groves, is where he spent an eventful youth. There are numerous other little spots in the area that still reverberate with the enchantment of Shri Krishna
Overnight at hotel
Day 9 Mathura/Agra – 60 Kms/Approx 2 hrs
Agra – Jhansi/Khajuraho
Early Morning drive to Agra & transfer to railway station to board train Bhopal Shatabdi for Jhansi, Leaving Agra at 0800 hrs & arriving Jhansi at 1048 hrs.
You will be met by our representative on arrival at airport & drive to Khajuraho.
The temples of Khajuraho are India’s unique gift to the world, representing a paean to life, love and joy: perfect in execution and sublime in expression. Life in every form and mood has been captured in stone, testifying to the craftsman’s artistry and the extraordinary breath of the vision of Chandela Rajputs. The Khajuraho temples were built in short span of a hundred years from 950 – 1050 AD, in a truly inspired burst of creativity. Of the 85 original temples, 22 still survive constituting one of the world’s greatest wonders
Overnight at hotel
Day 10 Khajuraho/Chitrakoot
Morning Half day city tour of Khajuraho
Morning half day tour visiting the world famous Khajuraho temples built by Chandela kings between 250 AD and 1050 AD. The most important are the Chaunset Yogini Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadev Temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji Temple with a lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishwanath and Nandi Temples, Lakshmana Temple, Visha Temple dedicated to Shiva, which is the largest and most typical of temples.
Later drive to Chitrakoot
Chitrakoot, ‘the hill of many wonders’, nestles peacefully in the northern spurs of the Vindhyas, a place of tranquil forest glades and quiet rivers, and streams where calm and repose are all pervading. This loveliest of Nature’s gifts is also hallowed ground, blessed by the gods and sanctified by the faith of pilgrims. For Chitrakoot’s spiritual legacy stretches back to legendary ages: it was in these deep forests that Rama and Sita spent eleven of their fourteen years of exile; here that the great sage Atri and Sati Anusuya meditated; and here where the principal trinity of the Hindu pantheon, Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, took their incarnations.
Overnight a hotel
Day 11 In Chitrakoot
Full day city tour
Overnight at hotel
Day 12 Chitrakoot/Allahabad
Morning drive to Allahabad
Allahabad, also known as Prayag in Hindu tradition, is a peaceful city where life usually moves at a slow pace. Regarded as one of the holiest places in Hindu religion, it is the famous venue of Kumbh Mela which is held here after every twelve years. In Allahabad stands one of Ashoka’s stone pillar carrying his own epigraph and those of later kings of the Gupta period (335-75 AD). Places of interest include the historic Akbar Fort, Palace and garden Khusro Bagh, which contains an impressive tomb of the Mughal Prince Khusro and his family. The town also has a fine museum, housing ancient sculptures and paintings and a famous university. The renowned Triveni Sangam – the confluence of India’s three major rivers, besides being the venues for the Magh Mela and the Kumbh Mela, it offers beautiful views of the sunrise and sunset.
Afternoon at leisure
Overnight at hotel
Day 13 In Allahabad
Morning city tour of Allahabad
The Triveni Sangam (the confluence of the three rivers), where the Ganges, the Yamuna and the legendary Saraswati meet, is sacred to Hindus. Allahabad is therefore of great religious importance. It was originally known as Prayag – ‘place of sacrifice’. Other interesting places in Allahabad are the University and Anand Bhawan – ancestral home of India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Overnight at hotel
Day 14 Allahabad/Ayodhya
Morning drive to Ayodhya
The city of Ayodhya is an important pilgrim place for Hindus in India. It is one of the seven holiest cities of India. Ayodhya is the birthplace of Lord Ram, who is an important deity in the Hindu pantheon. This small, quiet town attracts pilgrims from all over the country. Hindu pilgrims visiting Ayodhya during festivals and important religious functions consider a holy dip in the sacred Saryu River very auspicious.Ayodhya is located in center of the state of Uttar Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is a part of the great northern plains and is situated on the south bank of river Saryu. The climate of Ayodhya is tropical. The summers are hot (April-June) while the winters are cool (November-February). The southwestern monsoon rains hit Ayodhya in July-September. Ayodhya is 130 km east of Lucknow and 6 km from Faizabad.
On arrival check in at hotel.
Later proceed for sightseeing of Ayodhya .
Day 15 Ayodhya/Varanasi
Morning drive to Varanasi
Varanasi’s or Kashi’s as it was earlier known antiquity, like its spirituality, is shrouded in immortal time. Puranic and other ancient literature dates its existence to at least 3,000 years ago. Life in the Varanasi of today revolves around the ghats along the River Ganges where the bulk of the temples are located. From dawn to dusk a steady stream of devotees perform rituals. Every devout Hindu’s ambition is to visit Varanasi once in a lifetime and to bathe in the sacred River Ganges. For several thousand years, pilgrims have cleansed themselves of their sins here and sought release from the cycle of rebirth – “Nirvana”. The town itself is a maze of small streets and alleyways, hiding in disorderly array not less than a thousand temples and shrines. Hinduism, deep and mystical, is everywhere. In a decorated doorway, in a glimpse of a glittering temple, in the sound of a sacred bell, in the chant of the priests and the fragrance of flower offerings. This is Varanasi – the city that is a prayer.
Afternoon excursion to Sarnath
Sarnath – 10 kms. from Varanasi – The Buddha preached his first sermon to five disciples at the Deer Park here, enshrining the principals of his teaching into laws. The Dhamek Stupa marks the location of a once resplendent monastery. A large complex of ruined monasteries cover the area north of the stupas. Some of the buildings belong to the Kushan and Gupta period. The first monk communities probably settled here in the 3rd century BC. Near the Dhamek Stupa does the Buddhist Mahabodhi Society build a new monastery. The major events of Buddha’s life are depicted here in wall paintings by a Japanese artist. Sarnath has an interesting archaeological museum which has preserved the famous Sarnath pillar whose capital forms India’s national emblem.
Overnight at hotel
Day 16 In Varanasi
Early morning boat ride on the holy River Ganges- 2&1/2 hrs Over three miles in length, steps lead down from a steep bank to the sacred river. The time to see the ghats is early dawn when out of the morning mist, forms descend the steps, their numbers increasing by the minute until a silent multitude, lit by the sun’s first rays, moves in the same direction to immerse itself in the holy stream and to salute the sun. These rituals remind one of the nature worship prevalent in India during the Aryan age, 3,000 years ago.
Afternoon city tour of Varanasi.
You will see the Bharat Mata Temple, dedicated to Mother India, which, instead of gods and goddesses, houses a relief map of India carved out of marble.. Emperor Aurangazeb’s Mosque built in the 17th century on the site of a Hindu Temple. The rear of the mosque reveals specimens of the ancient temple art of India. Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple) erected by Rani Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore in 1776. The shikharas of the temple are gold plated. Visit the Durga (Goddess of Power) Temple popularly known as the Monkey Temple because of hundreds of monkeys in the courtyard.
Overnight at hotel
Day 17 In Varanasi
Day free for leisure.
Overnight at hotel
Day 18 Varanasi/Kolkatta/Bhubneshwar/Puri
Morning free
Afternoon transfer to airport to connect flight 9W 2461 for Kolkatta leaving Varanasi at 1435 hrs and Arriving Kolkatta at 1550 hrs.
On arrival transfer to connect flight 9W2860 for Bhubneshwar leaving Kolkatta at 1825 hrs and arriving Bhubneshwar at 1945 hrs
Bhubaneshwar is the temple city of the east. The ancient city of Bhubaneshwar (Bhuban being world and Iswar God) is a walk down centuries of temple architecture. It is probably the only city in the world that enables an authentic over-view of the stages of development of Hindu religious architecture. In the fast moving world of today these temples are a gentle reminder of the splendor, the heritage that was once India. Regular dances by the ’Devadasis’ or divine servant girls, rituals and rites, recital of hymns were all an integral part of temple culture. Temples in Bhubaneshwar are built on a common plan as prescribed by Hindu norms. All visible parts of a temple are sculpted with motifs of priests, kings, courtiers, pilgrims, celestial dancers, couples in embrace, birds, animals or scenes from religious epics and legends
You will be met by our representative on arrival at airport on arrival at airport & drive to Puri
Overnight at hotel.
Day 19 In Puri
Morning city tour of Puri
Visit the place of pilgrimage for the Hindus. the renowned Jagannath Temple built in the 15th century AD and crowned with Vishnu’s wheel and flag dominate the landscape at Puri. The temple with its elaborate carvings and mouldings are very fine examples of Orissa architecture. (Note= Non Hindus are not allowed inside the temple.
Overnight at hotel
Day 20 Puri/Konark/Bhubneshwar
Morning drive to Bhubneshwar enroute visiting Konark
At Konarak see the beautiful Sun Temple built in the 13th century in honour of the Sun God. Its exquisite carvings, the life-size statues of Lions and Elephants, collosal figures of warriors on horses, scenes of battle and the chase-all testify to the high standard of ancient Indian art and architectural skill.
Continue to Bhubneshwar
Overnight at hotel
Day 21 In Bhubneshwar
Morning city tour of Bhubneshwar
Morning half-day tour of Temple city. Finest Temples are the Lingraj Temple, Rajrani Temple, Mukteshwar Temple, Parsurameshwar and Brahmeshwar Temple. These temples are some of the best specimens of the Orissa Temple Architecture
Overnight at hotel
Day 22 Leave Bhubaneswar
Morning free for leisure.
Afternoon In time transfer to airport to connect flight for onward destination
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