|
|
|
|
| |
Cultural Indian Treasure Tours |
11 Nights / 12 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi
Day 01 / Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, meet assist at the airport and transfer to hotel. Night stay in Delhi.
Day 02 / Delhi
After having a leisurely breakfast sightseeing tour of New Delhi where ornate buildings recall the days when India was the Jewel in the crown of the British empire. Now visit the 11th century Qutab Minar ,India Gate and the grand government buildings, the President's House, Red fort, Mahatama Gandhi Memorial, also visit Laxmi Narayan temple popularly known as Birla Temple. Night stay back at Delhi.
|
|
|
| |
|
Day 03 / Delhi - Jaipur
After having breakfast drive to Jaipur (262 Kms/5 hrs.). Arrive & transfer to hotel. Later on proceed to visit City Palace, still home to the Maharaja although several of the rooms are now open to the public. Visit many antiques and artefacts belonging to the ruling family are housed here. You can also explore the different markets with colourful handicrafts. Night stay back at Jaipur.
Day 04 / Jaipur
After having breakfast sightseeing tour of Jaipur visiting Amber Fort Situated atop a hill overlooking the city, was the old capital before Jaipur was built. The Palace is laid out at different levels on the hillside and surrounded by a fortress. A ride on a decorated elephant to ascend the hill to the Palace is a thrilling experience for every visitor where a ride on the elephant is highlight of the tour. After having lunch visit the Pink city because of the pink colour of the buildings, is picturesquely situated in the heart of Rajasthan surrounded on all sides except on the south by rugged hills crowned with medieval fortresses. Now visit the Mubarak Hall, Chandra Mahal and Pothikhana which house a rare collection of paintings and manuscripts as well as the museum of Arms and Armoury. You can also visit Jantar Mantar - Jai Singh's observatory and the Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds.Night stay back at Jaipur.
Day 05 / Jaipur - Agra
Early morning after having breakfast drive to Agra enroute visiting the Deserted city of Fatehpur Sikri (250 kms/ 6 hrs), Fatehpur Sikri -Twenty seven miles from Agra, Akbar's Capital where phantoms of ancient pomp and splendour fill a deserted city, silent witnesses to a vanished dream. The capital had to be abandoned by the emperor for lack of adequate water supply. The marble tomb of the Saint 'Salim Chisti' and the Bulland Durwaza, the highest gateway in the world, are some of the highlights of the place. On arrival transfer to hotel. Night stay back at Agra.
Day 06 / Agra
Morning sharp at sunrise visit the world famous Taj Mahal, built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjehan in 1630 for his queen Mumtaz Mahal to enshrine her mortal remains, also visit the Agra Fort, containing the Pearl Mosque - the rusty and majestic red- sandstone fort of Agra stands on the banks of the river Yamuna and the construction was started by Emperor Akbar in 1566. Here at the Diwan-I-Khas (hall of private audience) where marble pavilions with floral inlays lend an ethereal ambience, the Emperor sat on his gem-studded peacock Throne and met foreign ambassadors and rulers of friendly kingdoms. Visit the Itmad-up-Dau's tomb, built by Noorjehan in memory of her father. Night stay back at Agra.
Day 07 / Agra - Jhansi (By train) Jhansi - Orchha (By surface)
Morning transfer to railway station to board the train to Jhansi , Arrive Jhansi & drive to Orchha & transfer to hotel. Later on tour of this historical site with magnificient temples and monuments. Here some of the palaces were decorated with painted murals which represent the finest flowering of the Bundela school of painting. Night stay back at Orchha.
Day 08 / Orchha - Khajuraho (By surface)
After having breakfast drive to Khajuraho Khajuraho- the legendary temples of khajuraho are an incomparable experience. It was acknowledged as one of the world's artistic wonders, these temples dedicated to the Hindu pantheon of Gods are covered in carvings that are a paean to life and love. It was built within a short span of a hundred years by the Chandela Rajputs, the 10th century temples lay forgotten until they were discovered in the present century. The Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its erotic sculptures. Arrive at Khajuraho and transfer to hotel. Evening at leisure. Night stay back at Khajuraho.
Day 09 / Khajuraho
The fascinating temples of Khajuraho, India's unique gift of love to the world, in the state of Madhya Pradesh, were built between 950 and 1050 A.D. Visit the divine sculptures in these temples, are a tribute to Life itself, embodying everything that is sublime and spontaneous about it. The murals depict the life and times of the Chandelas, and celebrate the erotic state of being. They are not only testify to the mastery of the craftsman, but also to the extraordinary breadth of vision of the Chandela Rajputs under whose reign, these temples were constructed. These temples are grouped into three geographical divisions : western, eastern and southern.
After having breakfast explore the Western, eastern and southern temples of khajuraho while your guide explains the intricate meaning and legends behind each describable sculpture.
|
|
| |
Western Group
Kandariya Mahadeo: This is the largest, and most typical Khajuraho temple. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, it soars 31 m high. The sanctum enshrines a lingam, while the main shrine is ornately carved and depicts various gods, goddesses, apsaras (heavenly maidens) in elaborate detail.
Chaunsat Yogini: The oldest surviving temple in the group (900 A.D.), this is the sole granite temple dedicated to Goddess Kali. Another Kali temple, which was originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu, is the Devi Jagdambe temple.
Chitragupta Temple: Dedicated to the sun-god, Surya, this temple faces eastwards to the rising sun.
|
|
|
|
Vishwanath Temple: The temple enshrines a three-headed image of Lord Brahma. Lions guard the northern entrance to the structure, while elephants flank the southern flight of steps that lead upto it. A Nandi bull faces the shrine. |
| |
Lakshamana Temple: The lintel over the entrance of this temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu, shows the holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva with Goddess Lakshmi, Vishnu's consort. The sanctum is adorned with a three-headed idol of Vishnu's incarnations, Narasimha and Varaha.
Matangeshwara Temple: This temple, which happens to be outside the precincts of the western group, is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It boasts of an eight feet high lingam. Eastern Group
Parsavanatha Temple: The largest in the group of three Jain temples, the Parsavanath image in this temple, was installed in 1860.
Ghantai Temple: This Jain temple has a frieze depicting the 16 dreams of Mahavira's mother, and a Jain goddess perched on a winged Garuda.
Adinatha Temple: The last of the Jain temples, is dedicated to the Jain saint, Adinatha, and is gorgeously adorned with sculptures of yakshis among others.
The three Hindu temples in this group are the Brahma temple, which has a four-faced lingam, The Vamana temple which is embellished with images of ravishing apsaras at their alluring best; and finally the Javari temple, with its ornate gateway and lavish carvings.
Southern Group
Duladeo Temple: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the highlights of this temple are the sensuous images of the apsaras, and other exquisite sculptures.
Chaturbhuj Temple: This temple sports a huge, elaborately carved image of Vishnu in the sanctum.
Night stay back in Khajuraho.
|
|
| |
Day 10 / Khajuraho - Varanasi (By Air)
After having breakfast transfer to airport to board the flight for Varanasi-said to be the India's most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. It is also one of the oldest living city in the world. Famous as a place for devotion and worship, with hundreds of temples dotting the city , sunrise on the river front as seen from a boat can be a spiritually uplifting sight. It has a fascination uniquely its own, a quality of sublime beauty, a timeless eternal appeal. Varanasi is one of the city which cannot be described, only experienced. Arrive in Varanasi and transfer to hotel. Later on proceed for sight seeing of Varanasi (the oldest and holiest city of
|
|
|
India) covering Temples, Aurangazeb's Mosque and one of the biggest university of India. Evening view "Aarti" ceremony on the Ghats. Night stay back in Varanasi. |
| |
|
Day 11 / Varanasi - Delhi (By Air)
Early morning sharp boat ride on the Holy river Ganges to view the religious activity at the bathing Ghats for an insight into the cultural background of India. It provides an absorbing spectacle of thousands of Hindus engaged in their ritual bathing. Later on excursion to Sarnath, 10kms. The east of Varanasi, is one of the Buddhism's major centers of India. Here after attaining enlightenment, the Buddha came to Sarnath where he gave his first sermon. Now Sarnath is considered as one of the richest place to have antiques since the Ashoka period to the 12th century. In the afternoon transfer to Airport in time to connect flight for Delhi. Arrive, meet assist at the airport & transfer to hotel.
Day 12 / Departure
Transfer to airport for the onward journey.
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
