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Hindu Pilgrimage Tour in North India
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| DAY
01 |
ARRIVAL DELHI |
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Assistance upon
arrival and transfer to Hotel. Overnight
at the hotel.
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| DAY
02 |
DELHI-VARANASI |
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Morning sightseeing tour of Delhi - believed to have been founded by the Pandava brothers around 2nd or 3rd century B.C., is one of the oldest cities in India. The city has been raised out of ashes and ruins seven times. Be it the Tomars of the 7-8th century or the Ghori's, The Khaljis, the Tughlaqs, the Saiyads, The Lodis, the Moghuls and finally the British rulers, each has contributed to the colourful history of the city.
Among some of the most interesting highlights of your city tour of Old and New Delhi are the Red Fort, the Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat in the old city area and the Government Buildings, a drive through the majestic Rajpath to the India Gate, the Laxmi Narayan Temple, the Qutab Minar, ISKON Temple and the Chattarpur Temple Complex.
Evening transfer to railway station to board Magadh Express at 2000 hrs to Varanasi. Overnight on board train. |
| DAY
03 |
VARANASI |
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Arrive Varanasi at 0717 hrs. Assistance upon arrival and transfer to Hotel.
Afternoon excursion to Sarnath - the fabled place bear testimony to its great past where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon to his disciples expounding the principles of Buddhism. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
04 |
VARANASI-AGRA |
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Early morning
boat-ride on Ganges. In Varanasi life and various
activities revolve around the river. Life begins
before dawn when thousands of pilgrims - and devotees
- come down to the river to offer early morning
prayers. Also visit the famous ghats and enjoy
a spectacular view of sunrise from river Ganges.
Return to hotel.
After breakfast sightseeing tour of Temples of
Varanasi including Kashi Vishwanath Temple: (Non-Hindu
are not allowed inside the shrine), Durga Temple:
Dedicated to Goddess Durga, consort of Lord Shiva.
Bharat Mata Temple: This temple was inaugurated
by Mahatma Gandhi and houses one of the most perfect
relief of India carved out of marble. Tulsi Manas
Temple: Built in white marble this unique temple
has the whole of Ram Charit Manas (Ramayana) inscribed
on its wall. Well laid out landscaping around
the temple adds to its beauty and Banaras Hindu
University.
Afternoon transfer to airport to board CD 7408
at 1700/1850 hrs to Agra.
Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight
at the hotel.
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| DAY
05 |
AGRA |
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Morning excursion to Mathura. One of the oldest towns situated on the bank of river Yamuna, Mathura is the birth place of Lord Krishna, who is set to be the reincarnation of Lord Vishnu - the preserver of the Universe, according to Hindu belief. Throughout the year, devotees visit the place. The marble galleries adjoining the ghats are of great elegance. In ancient times, Mathura was an important centre of the Hindu, Buddhist and jain faiths. The museum has one of the finest collections of sculpture, terracotta and inscriptions. It is closed on Mondays, but remains open on Holi, Janamashatami, Dussehra, Diwali and other holidays and shall be closed on the following day. Ten kilometers (6 miles) from Mathura is Brindaban, a town of temples with some of the most magnificent shrines in North india.
Later sightseeing tour of Agra city. Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jehan, this beautiful mausoleum is built of pure white marble and is an architectural marvel. Built in the memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal. The building was conceived as a garden tomb with the mausoleum rising at the far end of the complex with the river Yamuna flowing below. Beneath the dome are the cenotaphs of Mumtaz Mahal and Shah Jehan.
Agra Fort built by Emperor Akbar over the years 1565 - 1573 with its maze of courtyards, mosques, and private chambers. Most of the buildings originally built by Akbar were destroyed and were replaced by his grandson Shah Jehan. The only surviving structure from Akbar's period apart from the solid sand stone ramparts and the gateway is the Jehangir Mahal. It is the biggest private residence in the complex and its architecture indicates strong influences from Hindu overtones. Nearby are the various buildings, which were built by Shah Jehan, Including the Khas Mahal, The Jasmine Towers, the Octagonal Tower, the Sheesh Mahal, and the Hamam's. Ironically it was within these apartments that Shah Jehan spent his last years when his son Aurangzeb imprisoned him. Overnight at the hotel. |
| DAY
06 |
AGRA-FATEHPUR SIKRI-JAIPUR |
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Morning drive
to Jaipur en-route visiting Fatehpur Sikri, the
deserted capital of Mughal India. Among the principal
attractions of Fatehpur Sikri are the large audience
halls, palaces, the Mosques, the tomb of Salim
Chishti, The Panchmahal, and the Buland Darwaza,
which is among the biggest gates in Asia.
Upon arrival check-in at the hotel. Overnight
at the hotel.
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| DAY
07 |
JAIPUR-DELHI |
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Morning excursion to Amber Fort with Elephant ride. Amber Fort, the ancient capital of the State until 1728. Visit the Jagmandir or the hall of victory glittering with mirrors, Jai Mahal and Temple of Kali.
Afternoon sightseeing tour of Jaipur - the capital of erstwhile Kachwaha Rajputs, Jaipur city was founded in 1727 AD. By the great King Maharaja Jai Singh who was not only a great statesman but also a keen astronomer and an architect. Among the principal sights are the Jantar Mantar or the Observatory, The Palace of Winds or Hawa Mahal, The City Palace & Museum and choki dhani. Jaipur is also a major center of precious and semi precious stones, jewellery, cotton textiles and the typical Blue Pottery.
Later transfer to railway station to board Shatabdi Express at 1755/2215 hrs to Delhi. Upon arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
08 |
DEPART DELHI |
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In time departure transfer to the airport to board flight back home. |
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END OF THE TOUR |
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Hindu Pilgrimage Tour in South India
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| DAY
01 |
CHENNAI |
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Fly from your country to Chennai, arrive & check in at Radha Park Inn or similar Hotel. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
02 |
CHENNAI |
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Breakfast & leave for sightseeing of Chennai, the first British major settlement in India. Visit Kapleshwara temple, St. Thomas Church, Art Gallery, St. George Fort, Marina beach ( 2nd longest beach of the world after California ). Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
03 |
CHENNAI-KANCHIPURAM-MAHABALIPURAM |
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Morning leave
for Mahabalipuram enroute Kanchipuram, once the
Golden city of India to visit Shiv Kanchi and
Vishnu Kanchi temples. Continue your drive to
Mahabalipuram, arrive & check in at Hotel. Overnight
at the hotel.
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| DAY
04 |
MAHABALIPURAM |
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Morning visit 6-8th century Pallave rock cut caves, Panch Ratha temple, 7th century shore temple where both Vishnu & Shiva are enshrined under one roof and soap stone workers in the market who designs and made sculptures by chisel & hammer. This is very special to see. Afternoon free to enjoy at sea beach. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
05 |
MAHABALIPURAM-CHIDAMBRAM-GANGEKONDCHOLAPURAM-TANJORE |
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Morning leave for Tanjore, your first stop will be at Chidambrum golden Natraja temple. Afterwards drive to Gangekondcholapuram exciting Shiva temple built from 1012-1044 AD by Kind Rajendra I. The speciality of the temple and 1000 years engineering is the rays of sun falls on Nandi ( bull ) and it reflects and give light to the Shiva Lingam since sun rise to sun set. Your next stop will be at Kumbakonam water tank, it is believed that after every 12years 9 scared holy rivers including holy Ganges are meeting here. During those days thousands of pilgrims dip into the tank to wash their sins. Next stop at 13th century Shiva temple at Darasuram. Finally reach to Tanjore, arrive and check in at Hotel. Overnight at
the hotel. |
| DAY
06 |
TANJORE-TRICHY |
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Morning sightseeing
of Tanjore visiting Brideshwarar Shiva Temple
was built by King Raja Rajan from the year 985
- 1010 AD. As usual South Indian temples have
big Gopurmas ( towers ) but this temple is parameter
shaped, 65 meters high from the ground. This is
one of the superb temple architect of the Chola
dynasty. Afterwards visit Raja Rajan art gallery
to see bronze statures of 9-16th century. Return
back to Hotel and after some rest drive to Trichy,
arrive & check in at Hotel. Afternoon visit Srirangam
Vishnu temple has 21 gopurmas ( towers ), one
of the gopurma is 73 meters highest in India.
Afterwards visit Rock Fort 83 meters above the
ground having 344 steps to reach on the top to
see Vinayaka temple.
Return back to your Hotel.Overnight
at the hotel.
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| DAY
07 |
TRICHY-MADURAI |
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Morning leave for Madurai, arrive and check in at the hotel.
Afternoon visit 16th century Thirumalai Nayak Palace. Afterwards visit biggest Meenakshi temple, the temple has two main shrines one is dedicated to goddess Parvati ( Meenakshi ) and another to Sunereshwara ( Shiva ). The doms of both the shrines are covered with heavy gold plates. You can also see 1000 pillars hall built in 16th century by Nayakas by pure granite stones.
Evening witness the night ceremony at the Meenakshi Temple.Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
08 |
MADURAI-RAMESWARAM-MADURAI |
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The island of Rameshwaram spreads out over a 56 kms well with gentle sand dunes, embellished with the delicacy of casuarinas trees and stark palms. This is a sacred place for Hindus since according to Ramayana, this is where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of killing Ravana. A dip into the sacred waters of the Agnitheertham, which was calmed by Rama is a must for Hindu Pilgrims. Overnight
at the hotel. |
| DAY
09 |
MADURAI-CHENNAI |
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In time departure
transfer to the airport to board flight back to
Chennai. Assistance on arrival at the airport
to board your international flight back home.
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END OF THE TOUR |
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