Overview:
India – the land of gods and diverse religions where lies the serenity of its heritage. India as a confluence of different religions has always attracted pilgrims from all over the world. A country, where its historical monuments and beautiful temples portrays its architectural legacy. India is home to many religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Islam and all of them have their important places of worship. Explore pilgrimage tour packages in India. Our pilgrimage special tour package covers India's World famous religious places, temples & Holi rivers in India.
Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport you willmet our driverwho will give you warm welcome with fresh flower and garlands. Later transfer to your hotel with Air conditioner car/coach. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 2: Delhi Temple Tour
After breakfast we leave for a sightseeing tour & Visit Lotus Temple (Monday Closed) has a striking though plain central hall where you can meditate. The hall is 34.27m. high. Thought-provoking quotes of the Baha'i sacred scriptures are inscribed on the petal alcoves. Set amid beautiful gardens, the temple is at its most exuberant best when the sun dazzles these lotus petals. While entering you'll have to remove your shoes and keep silence.
Next wevisit The India Gate, a memorial raised in honor of the Indian soldiers martyred during the Afghan war and drive past the grand government buildings the President’s House and Parliament House all dating back to the time of British Raj.
Post lunch visit Akshardham Temple (Monday Closed), the structure depicts great Indian culture and its architecture is simply immaculate. This amazing structure comprises of 20,000 statues, floral motifs and exquisite carved pillars made of stones. Later we visit the Laxmi Narayan Temple, also known as Birla Mandir, is one of Delhi's major temples and a major tourist attraction. Built by the industrialst G.D. Birla in 1938, this beautiful temple is located in the west of Connaught Place. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 3: Delhi / Jaipur (260 Km / 5 HRS)
Early morning after breakfast we travel to the old walled city of Jaipur – founded by Maharaja Jai Singh II, this ‘Pink City’ is meticulously constructed on the lines of the Shilpa – Shastra, an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. On arrival we check inn into the hotel.
Later if time is permitted we attend the Aarti ceremony in Birla Temple. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 4: Jaipur
`After breakfast we visit the Galtaji Temple, the temple complex encompasses natural fresh water springs and 7 holy 'kunds' or water tanks. Among these kunds, the 'Galta Kund', is the holiest one and is believed to never get dry. A spring of pure water flows from the 'Gaumukh', a rock shaped like a cow's head, into the tanks.
Next we proceed with visit of Amber Fort – (ascend the imposing fort on a decorated painted elephant) .is located in Amber (Jaipur), which used to be the capital of the Kachhwaha clan, till Jaipur was made the official capital in 1727. The Amber Fort looks stunning, all-built in white marble and red sandstone.Without any stop enroute we glimpse Hawa Mahal - built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh, Hawa Mahal is the most stunning sight in the city of Jaipur.
After lunch, proceed to visit City Palace, the principle residence of the ruling family and is known for its stunning architecture. Now it’s converted into a magnificent museum.
Later we explore the city on our own and indulge in shopping for gemstones, silver jewellery, Paintings, blue pottery and hand printed textiles that Jaipur is renowned for. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 5: Jaipur / Fatehpur Sikri / Agra (240 Km / 5 Hrs)
After breakfast we drive to the Abhaneri Step Well it’s was named as Abha Nagri, which means the city of brightness, but due to mispronunciation of the term, it is changed to the present name. In the present, this city of brightness is in ruins; still it attracts tourists from across the globe. Abhaneri is prominent for 'Baoris',which are the unique invention of the natives for harvesting rain water. Chand Baori is one of India's deepest and largest step wells. The huge tank with delicate carvings certainly is delightful to the eyes.
Later we drive to Home Town of Taj Mahal, Agra with the magnificent countryside view. En-route we tour Fatehpur Sikri - a UNESCO World Heritage Site which has been described as “The world’s most perfectly preserved ghost town”. Built by Akbar in the late 16th century, it was abandoned after only 14 years, and the elegant buildings of this superb walled city remain intact to this day. On arrival we check inn to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 6: Agra
After breakfast we visit the monumental heritage of the Great Mughal, includingthe magnificent Taj Mahal, with first sun raise one of the Seven Wonders of the World and surely the most extravagant expression of love ever created. 20,000 men laboured for over 17 years to build this memorial to Shah Jahan's beloved wife. It's a wealth of white marble and semi-precious stone.
Later we visit the imposing Agra Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site this powerful fortress of red sandstone encompasses, within its 2.5-km-long enclosure walls, the imperial city of the Mughal rulers. It comprises many fairy-tale palaces, such as the Jahangir Palace and the Khas Mahal, built by Shah Jahan; audience halls, such as the Diwan-i-Khas; and two very beautiful mosques.
Post lunch we visit the Dayal Bagh which is famous institutional area & as well as the Radhasoami Temple. Agra is also known for its fabulous handicrafts, made of marble and soft stone inlay work. The Mughals were great patrons of arts and crafts. Empress Nur Jahan took personal interest and was an accomplished artist herself in zari embroidery work. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 7: Agra / Orchha (220 Km / 4 Hrs)
After breakfast we drive to the Orchha, once the capital of Bundelas, Orchha is a village, set amongst a complex of well preserved palaces and temples. Though Orchha was founded in 1531, its golden age was during the first half of 17th century. When Jahangir visiting the city in 1606, a special palace, the Jahangir Mahal was built for him. Upon arrival at Orchha check in to the hotel.
Later we visit the Laxminarayan Temple a flagstone path links this temple with the Ram Raja Temple. The style is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple moulds. The interiors contain the most exquisite of Orchha's wall paintings. Covering the walls and ceiling of three halls, these murals are vibrant compositions and cover a variety of spiritual and secular subjects. They are in excellent state of preservation, with the colours retaining their vivid quality. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 8: Orchha / Khajuraho (180 Km / 3 Hrs)
After breakfast we visit the Chaturbhuj Temple its built upon a massive stone platform and reached by a steep flight of steps, the temple was specially constructed to enshrine the image of Rama that remained in the Ram Raja Temple. Lotus emblems and other symbols of religious significance provide the delicate exterior ornamentation. Within, the sanctum is chastely plain with high, vaulted walls emphasizing its deep sanctity.
Now we visit the Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal & Ram Raja templewhich also dates back to the 17th century. Later we Khajuraho, the legendary temples of Khajuraho built in the 9th and the 10th century is an incomparable experience. Acknowledged as one of the world’s artistic wonders. Khajuraho has achieved fame for the sensual appeal of its erotic sculptures. On arrival we check inn into the hotel. We have free time to explore the city. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 9: Khajuraho
After breakfast later we drive to the exquisite 10th century temples of Khajuraho, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built by the Chandela Kings between 950 AD & 1050 AD. The most important are the Chaunset Yogini temple dedicated to Goddess Kali, the Mahadev temple, Chitragupta or Bharatji temple with lovely image of 11 headed Vishnu, Vishwanath & Nandi temples, Lakshmana temple, and Visha temple dedicated to Shiva, which is the largest & most typical of temples.
Evening us witness the fascinating Son-et-Lumière spectacle evokes the life and times of the great Chandela Kings and traces the story of the unique temples from the 10th Century to the present day. Mounted in the complex of the Western Group of temples. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10: Khajuraho / Chitrakoot (150 Km / 3 Hrs)
After breakfast we drive to Chitrakoot, It is a town of religious, cultural, historical and archaeological importance, situated in the Bundelkhand region. The town lies in the historical Chiktrakootregion, which is divided between the present-day Indian states of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. It is known for a number of temples and sites mentioned in Hindu scriptures. On arrival check inn to the hotel.
Later we visit the
Kamadgiri
a forested hill of prime religious significance, this is believed to be the original Chitrakoot. Pilgrims perform a ritual circumambulation of the hill to seek blessings,
Sphatik Shila
this picturesque spot is marked by two immense rocks. It is believed to be the place where Lord Rama and Goddess Sita feasted their eyes on the beauty of Chitrakoot
, Janki Kund
an unusual cave over the Mandakini. Said to be the place where Sita bathed.
Evening we witness
to Ram Ghat
on the banks of the River Mandakini, and centre of ritual activity, this ghat is the most frequented in Chitrakoot. And attend the beautiful "Aarti" which is performed by the evening. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 11: Chitrakoot / Varanasi (250 Km / 5 Hrs)
After breakfast we enjoy the tracking on
Hanuman Dhara
located on a steep hillside, it is approachable by a flight of 360 steps. Here, the waters of a natural spring cascade over an image of Lord Hanuman.
Later we drive to the oldest living city in the world Varanasi – also said to be the India’s most sacred city situated on the western bank of the holy river Ganga. Varanasi is the city, which cannot be described, only experienced. To a crescendo of unparalleled piety and joy. On arrival we check inn to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 12: Varanasi
Early morning we leave for boat ride on the Ganges to see the bathing Ghats (river bank) & cremation site. Sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from a boat, can be a spiritually uplifting sight. The life on the Ghats bound in an endless string of rituals; ever-changing aspects of the river & the wide landscape across have fascinated visitors from all over the world. Return to hotel for breakfast.
After breakfast, we tour Sarnath, an important pilgrimage centre for Buddhist. This is where the Buddha preached his first sermon after getting enlightenment. Sarnath's temples and Archaeological Museum are full of Buddhist art treasures.
Later city tour of Varanasi where we visit the Bharat Mata temple with a big relief map of India in Marble, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Our evening rickshaw (Tricycle) ride passing through the busy streets and bazaars of Varanasi takes us to the holy river Ganges where we cruise to witness the ceremonies amidst hundreds of lighted candles and flower offerings. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 13: Varanasi / Allahabad (110 Km / 2 Hrs)
After breakfast we drive to Allahabad, is synonymous to Sangam. 'Sangam' actually means confluence in Hindi. The city has been named so because it is situated on the confluence of Ganges, Yamuna and mythical river Saraswati. That is why; Allahabad is counted among the holiest of cities in India. A holy fair called Kumbh marks the place. These are of three types. The one that takes place every year is called 'Minor Kumbh'. Whereas the ones celebrated every 6 years and 12 years are called Ardh-Kumbh and Maha Kumbh respectively. Upon arrival check inn to the hotel.
Later visit the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. One of the most important pilgrim centres, the place was called Prayag.
Post lunch visiting palace is Allahabad Fort, Patalpuri temple, Ashoka pillar, Akshayavat, Hanuman temple, Shankar Viman mandapam, Mankameshwar temple, Anand Bhawan, Jawahar planetarium, Bharadwaj ashram. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 14: Allahabad / Mathura (550 Km / 6-7 Hrs)
After breakfast we drive to the 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. On arrival we check inn to the hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 15: Mathura / Delhi / Fly Homebound
After breakfast we leave for the excursion trip of Mathura, it’s called a Brajbhoomi (Birth Place of Lord Krishna) 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, Barsana and Nandgaon.
Later we drive to the Delhi. By evening we have a farewell dinner with enjoying (Indian Classical Dance).
Now we drive to airport for homebound flight.