.........................................................
TEMPLES
& GHATS OF HOLY RIVER GANGES (5 Days)
AGRA-GWALIOR-ORCHHA-KHAJURAHO-VARANASI-DELHI
Day 01: Agra - Gwalior - Orchha
Early morning visit the Taj Mahal at dawn, the guests will board the
'decorated tongas' (horse carriage) which will take them to Taj Mahal…
Little needs to be said about this architectural wonder which is always
the soul raison-de-ere for every tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah
Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his beautiful wife Mumtaz
Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed and
planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from it's stunning design
balance and perfect symmetry, the Taj is also noted particularly for its
elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best inlay work
ever seen.
India's
greatest poet Rabindra Nath Tagore described
Taj in these evocative words -
Though emeralds, rubies, pearls are all
But
as the glitter of a rainbow
Tricking out empty air
And must pass
away
Yet still one solitary tear
Would hang on the cheek of time
In the form of this
White and gleaming Taj Mahal
Transfer
to the Railway Station for train to Gwalior for a full day sightseeing
tour.
Leave: Agra (by Shatabdi Express at 0820 hrs.)
Arrive: Gwalior at 0940 hrs
Upon arrival at Gwalior Railway
Station, the guests will directly proceed for sightseeing.
Tour includes the enormous 19th century Jai Vilas Palace. This Palace is
famous for its ornate chandeliers & crystal. A few of the rooms have
in converted into a museum filled with the Scindia dynasty memorabilia.
After the visit proceed to the Usha Kiran Palace hotel for a lunch. This
Palace was originally the Maharaja's guesthouse.
After lunch proceed to the huge Gwalior
Fort - where a sun temple is believed to have been
constructed within the area of the fort. Also visit Man
Mandir which is a six-towered palace & which forms the
eastern wall of the fort. The fort has monuments dating back to 8th
century AD onwards & is one of the largest forts in India.
Gujri Mahal, a turreted
palace of stone now houses the archaeological museum. Gwalior also offers
the Tomb of Muhammad Ghaus, a saint worshipped by the Mughals & the
Tomb of the famous musician Tansen.
Thereafter continue drive to
Orchha Orchha
overlooked by the modern era, this beautiful medieval town, was once the
capital of Bundela kings. Built along the banks of the river Betwa,
flowing through a rugged century side, it still retains the captivating
air of the bygone era.
Upon arrival in Orchha - check-in at the
hotel.
Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Orchha -
Khajuraho
Morning tour of Orchha - walk by the century old
temples and forts, each with its own poignant history, and rest amidst the
beauty of the ruins. Amongst the various imposing edifices, of particular
interest are the Jehangiri Mahal,
built by Raja Bir Singh Deo to commemorate the visit of Moghul Emperor
Jehangir, The Raj Mahal
and the Laxmi Narayan temple,
both noted for their fine frescoes and mural paintings.
Lunch at the
hotel Afternoon drive to Khajuraho (170 kms)
Khajuraho - ancient centre
of the Chandela Dynasty. Khajuraho flourished from 950 to 1050 AD and is
spectacular feat of architecture carved with the roughest of tools. Each
temple has a large number of spires in ascending order representing man's
aspirations towards spiritual goals. They are famous tourist draw because
they have the most sublime, sensuous and erotic sculptures and are
romantically situated miles from anywhere in the dry and hot plains of
Madhya Pradesh.
Upon arrival in Khajuraho - check-in at the
hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 03:Khajuraho - Varanasi
Morning visit the temples.
Visit the Eastern
group of temples which consists of 3 Hindu and 3 Jain
temples, their proximity attests to the religious tolerance of the times
in general and of the Chandela rulers in particular.
Also visit the most important and fascinating western
group of temples. The temples of Khajuraho have been
declared a 'world heritage' site by UNESCO in order to preserve the rich
legacy of architecture, bequeathed to future generations by the Kings of
the Chandela dynasty. These temples are famous for their intricate
sculptures and erotic carvings that are one of the outstanding
achievements of Indian art.
Late afternoon transfer to airport for
Khajuraho/Varanasi flight (1320/1400 hrs.).
Upon arrival
proceed for city tour of Varanasi. Walk through the myriad of narrow lanes
in the old city, past the many ancient temples, shrines and little shops
crammed with customers looking for the famous silver & gold brocades
for weddings or even for cremation cloth. The most famous temple is the
Kashi Vishvanath or Golden
temple which, though off-limits to non-Hindus, can be seen from the top
floor of the old house opposite it.
After sightseeing check in at
hotel.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 : Varanasi
Early morning drive to Daswamedh Ghat and take a
boat ride on the sacred river Ganges to see the cremation
Ghats and witness the living traditions of one of the world's oldest and
most important religions.
Return to hotel for breakfast.
After
breakfast, visit Sarnath -
5 miles out of Varanasi - one of the holiest Buddhist sites in the world,
where Buddha preached his first Sermon in 590 B.C. Here you will witness
the ruins of a once flourishing Buddhist monastery and then visit a fine
Museum which houses an excellent collection of Buddhist art and sculptures
found at the site.
Transfer to the airport for Varanasi/Delhi
flight (1430/1540 hrs.).
Upon arrival at Delhi airport, the guests
will be transferred to hotel where rooms will be available for wash or
change. Dinner at the hotel. Later transfer to airport for flight back
home.
Day 05 : Delhi - Abroad
Depart
Delhi
.
