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07 NIGHTS / 08 DAYS PROGRAM VISITING
VARANASI – AYODHYA - ALLAHABAD – VARANASI – BODHGAYA
01 : Arrive Delhi.
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the Hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
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02 : Delhi – Allahabad by Train Vandebharat (0600-1208 Hrs).
Morning transfer to Railway Station to board Train for Allahabad. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to the Hotel.
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The city of Allahabad is one place where the remains of the dead take rest and leave for the ethereal abode, and get rid of their eternal cycle of birth and rebirth. Allahabad city is also the land where some of India's most charismatic people have either taken birth or made it their permanent abode.
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Take holi dip at Triveni Sangam. Located approximately 7 km from Civil Lines, it is actually the confluence of three holy rivers-Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati. It becomes a center of attraction for hundreds and thousands of religious travelers after every twelve years when it hosts the famous Kumbh Mela. It stands as one of the greatest tourist attractions on your tour to India.
Overnight at the hotel.
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03 : Allahabad – Ayodhya – Allahabad (170 Kms/05 Hrs – one way)
After breakfast, visit to Ayodhya. Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama and is believed to be one of the seven most sacred places in India. Situated on the banks of Saryu, some 135 km east of Lucknow, Ayodhya was called Saket in ancient times. Ayodhya finds mention in several legends and stories including the epic Ramayana.
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Visit Ram Janmabhoomi - The Ram Janmabhoomi is believed to have been the birthplace of the Hindu deity, Lord Ram. According to the Indian epic Ramayana, Ram, Lord Vishnu's seventh manifestation, is said to have grown up along Ayodhya's river Sarayu. It is a highly revered site for Hindu devotees.
Return to Allahabad for overnight stay.
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03 : Allahabad – Varanasi (126 Kms/03 Hrs)
After breakfast drive to Varanasi and on arrival check-in at the hotel.
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Crowded with temples, and its labyrinth of streets, sunrise on the riverfront, as seen from a boat, is a spiritually uplifting sight, these are usual sights of Varanasi. Though Varanasi retains its heritage, the city is changing. New markets, commercial complexes and modern hotels make it a melting pot of both. The religious capital of Hinduism, Varanasi is the oldest living city in India , and one of the world’s most ancient. It was previously known as Kashi-the city that illuminates. The present name is derived from the fact that the city is at the confluence of the rivers Varuna and Asi.
Evening witness Ganga Aarti at the Ganges.
Hindu priests put on the Ganga Aarti every night at the Dasaswamedh Ghat, starting at around 7 PM. Donning saffron-hued robes, the priests spread out plates of flower petals and other offerings and blew a conch shell to signal the start of the spiritual ceremony. Thousands of tourists gather to watch the priests chant and wave tiered plates of sandalwood-scented incense in intricate patterns for about 45 minutes. It's an extravagant sight that you won't want to miss.
Overnight at the hotel.
04 : Varanasi
Morning visit Dashashwamedh Ghat - the most famous ghat in Varanasi on the banks of sacred river Ganga. People take baths here and are widely visited by pilgrims. It is not far from Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
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Dasaswamedh Ghat makes it one of the best places to visit in Varanasi. This tourist attraction is a swirling hodgepodge of flower sellers touting bright blossoms, boat operators hawking rides along the Ganges River, and sadhus (holy men) with face paint. You can spend hours watching people in this area during the day.
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Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Hindu pilgrims and tourists alike travel for thousands of miles to reach the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple, a sacred attraction at Manikarnika Ghat. The impressive structure, dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, has earned the nickname "The Golden Temple" for its striking spire — plated in some 800 kilograms of pure gold. The distinctive design of this temple has gone on to inspire the architecture of hundreds of other temples across India.
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After breakfast, proceed for a sightseeing tour visiting Bharat Mata Temple with a big relief map of India in marble, Durga temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir. Banaras Hindu University which has an Art Gallery and the Mosque of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb.
Afternoon visit Sarnath.
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Sarnath - the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy sites as in this place the stream of the Buddha's teaching first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 16th century BC to 12th century AD. Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple & the museum (closed on Fridays). At the museum is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions, used as independent Indias’ national emblem.
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05 : Varanasi - Bodhgaya (269 Kms/07 Hrs)
After breakfast drive to Bodhgaya and on arrival check-in at the hotel.
The city of Bodhgaya, located in the state of Bihar, is known to most of us as being related to Gautam Buddha. However the actual association and the facts about the place have always eluded us. Bodhgaya is the place where the wandering prince Siddhartha sat in meditation below a Bodhi Tree. His three days of initial meditation and subsequent seven weeks of enlightenment have been closely associated with various places in Bodh Gaya.
Overnight at the hotel.
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06 : Gaya
Morning drive to Gaya (15 Kms) to perform Pooja.
Gaya - situated on the banks of Falgu River (Niranjaja, as mentioned in Ramayana), it is a place sanctified by the Hindu, the Buddhist and the Jain religions. It is surrounded by small rocky hills (Mangla-Gauri,Shringa-Sthan, Ram-Shila and ) by three sides and the river flowing on the fourth (eastern) side. The city has a mix of natural surroundings, age old buildings and narrow lanes.
Afternoon visit the temple. The highlights of the temple include tall stone lotuses, figures of Buddha sitting in different postures on the walls, his footprints on the stones, and a colossal golden Buddha in the sanctum sanctorum.
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The Bodhi tree, situated in the premises of the temple, is the one under which Buddha attained illumination. White, Green and Red flags, tied onto the tree, form a canopy over seven sacred shrines, which symbolizes the seven weeks that Buddha spent here.
Overnight at the hotel.
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07 : Boghgaya – Varanasi (269Kms/07 Hrs)
After early breakfast drive to Varanasi Airport to board an evening flight for Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.
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08 : Depart Delhi
Breakfast at the hotel. In time transfer to airport to board flight for onward destination.
End of the program.
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Check-in at 1400 Hrs & check-out time is at 1200 Hrs at the hotels.
08 NIGHTS / 09 DAYS PROGRAMME VISITING
AMRITSAR - RISHIKESH – HARIDWAR – VARANASI – DELHI
01: Arrive Amritsar.
Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.
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Amritsar, as the name suggests, is rightfully a pool of nectar. Located in the state of Punjab, Amritsar is one of the most important pilgrimage centres especially for the Sikhs in the country. The city is characterised by some of the must visit religious, historical as well as contemporary sites of importance. The Golden Temple, where Sikhs from all over the world come to pay their reverence to Guru Granth Sahib and take a dip in the Amrit Saras Kund (Pool of Immortality) for spiritual purification is the major landmark of the place. Amritsar is also characterised by the hard working and warm-hearted people.
Overnight at the hotel.
02 : Amritsar
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing visiting Golden temple which is located in the heart of the city, the Jalianwallah Bagh which is a memorial of the martyrs of the 1919, the Durgiana Mandir that is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Durga, Baba Atal Rai Tower.
Evening visit Wagah Border - About 28 kms from Amritsar is the border station of Atari and the Wagah checkpost between India and Pakistan. This is the only overland opening between the two countries, which continue to have hostile relations ever since independence in 1947. The checkpost has now become a popular site for tourists, who come to see the change of guards and retreat of troops at sundown.
The drill, choreographed with aggressive posturing and sabre-rattling, draws loud cheers from spectators on both sides.
Overnight at the hotel.
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03 : Amritsar – Haridwar by Train (0650-1410 Hrs)
Early morning transfer to Railway Station to board Train for Haridwar. On arrival transfer to hotel. Afternoon visit Temples. Evening witness Ganga Aarti.
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In Sanskrit, Haridwar stands for Dwara of Hari or Gateway to God, where ‘Hari’ means God and ‘Dwar’ means Gate. In ancient times, the city was referred to as Gangadwara, the place where the Ganges descends to the plains.
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Haridwar is also your starting point on the journey to the sacred sources of the rivers Ganga and the Yamuna. Accordingly to legend, Prince Bhagirth performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had perished due to sage Kapil’s curse. The penance was answered and the river Ganga trickled forth from Lord Shiva’s locks and its bountiful water revived the sons of King Sagara. In the tradition of Bhagirath, devout Hindus stand in the sacred waters here, praying for salvation of their ancestors.
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Evening witness Ganga Aarti. Har-ki-Pauri is the centre of activity in Haridwar: piety and brisk business go hand in hand here at all times. There are thread ceremonies, tonsuring ceremonies, holy dips, and ash immersion ceremonies. However, it is at the time of the evening aarti that the ghats of Har-ki-Pauri command rapt attention from the onlookers. This is Haridwar at its best and is not to be missed.
Overnight at hotel.
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04 : Haridwar – Rishikesh – Haridwar (24 Kms/01 Hr)
Rishikesh, also known as the “Place of Sagas” is a spiritual town situated 24 Kms upstream from Haridwar, at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga and Ganga and surrounded by scenic beauty of the hills on three sides. The whole place is considered to tbe sacred as it is believed that meditation at this place leads to attainment of salvation. There are many temples – some ancient, some new along the river Ganges. The River side is dotted by the Ashrams of Sadhus and Sages. Rishikesh represents the site where Vishnu vanquished the demon Madhu.
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Return to Haridwar for overnight stay.
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05 : Haridwar – Delhi (200 Kms/06 Hrs) Delhi – Varanasi by flight
After breakfast drive to Delhi to board flight for Varanasi. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.
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Varanasi, one of the ancient seats of learning in India, is said to be a compound of the names of two streams, the Varuna and the Assi, which still flow in the north and south of the city respectively. This name seems to have been corrupted, in medieval times to Banaras, which was in use till May 24, 1956 when it was changed to Varanasi, by an order of the Government of India. Varanasi is probably one of the most ancient living cities in India. From time immemorial it has been a great religious center for Hindus and one of their most sacred places of pilgrimage, being visited by millions of people every year.
Overnight at the hotel.
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06 : Varanasi
Early morning boat ride on River 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 the hotel for breakfast.
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Later city tour of Varanasi - Visit the Bharat Mata temple with a big relief map of India in Marble, Durga temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir, Benaras Hindu University which has an art gallery & the mosque of Moghul Emperor Aurangzeb.
Sarnath - the buried Buddhist city where Buddha preached his first sermon. After attaining enlightenment at Bodh Gaya the Buddha went to Sarnath; and it was here that he preached his first discourse in the deer park to set in motion the 'Wheel of the Dharma'. It is one of the most holy sites as in this place the stream of the Buddha's teaching first flowed. Sarnath was a renowned school of learning from 16th century BC to 12th century AD.
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Visit the ruins, the stupa, the Buddhist temple & the museum (closed on Fridays). At the museum is the Ashok Pillar with its four guardian lions, used as independent Indias’ national emblem.
Overnight at the hotel.
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07 : Varanasi – Delhi by flight
After breakfast transfer to Airport to board flight for Delhi. Meeting and assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel.
Delhi, where a empire rose and fell before the dawn of history; where citadels of emperors appeared and disappeared; a city of mysterious eternity whose old ruins proclaim a majestic and imperial past and whose present pulsates vibrantly with the ever flowing life of India. The eternal Jamuna bears witness to the glorious and tumultuous 5,000 year old history of Delhi. A history which begins with the creation of Indraprastha by the Pandavas and the transformation of this barren gift of the Kauravas into an idyllic haven.
Overnight at the hotel.
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08 : Delhi.
After breakfast proceed for sightseeing of Old & New Delhi visiting - Raj Ghat - the cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, Jama Masjid and drive past Red Fort and Chandni Chowk. Afternoon visit Qutub Minar built by Qutub-ud-Din Aibek in 1199, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate (War Memorial Arch ), Lakshminarayan Temple - a modern Hindu Temple. Also drive past President's House, Parliament House, Government Secretariat Buildings and Connaught Place shopping centre. (Lotus Temple, Red Fort & Museums are closed on Monday. Also note most of the markets are closed on Monday).
Overnight at the hotel.
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09 : Depart Delhi.
Breakfast at the hotel. In time transfer to Airport to board flight for onward destination.
End of the programme.
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Check-in is at 1400 Hrs & Check-out time is at 1200 Hrs at the hotels.