RELIGIOUS & PILGRIMAGE TOUR

Day 01: Arrive Chennai
Arrive Chennai. Traditional welcome on arrival at Chennai airport and transfer to the hotel. Chennai is the capital of the state of Tamil Nadu and India's fourth largest metropolitan city. Popularly known as "Gateway to South India", it is well connected internationally and to other parts of India. Chennai boasts of rich historical legacy which lends an inexplicable charm to the city. The Portuguese arrived here in the 16th century and were followed by the Dutch, and East India Company. The British were able to establish their undisputed supremacy in the city and the Fort St George became the nucleus around which the British authority grew and expanded. In the 19th century, the city emerged as the seat of Madras presidency and today stands as a significant city of India.
Overnight in Chennai.

Day 02: Chennai
Breakfast at hotel.
Full day city tour of Mahabalipuram and Kanchipuram. One of the revered place of the Hindus, Kachipuram lies 70 kms south of Chennai. An important destination it is considered an integral part of the Golden triangle of South India that consists of Chennai and Mahabalipuiram with it. The place is alo remembered as a seat of learning of the great Shankaracharya, the famous Advaita philosopher. In present context the city is counted among the seven holiest sacred cities and is next in line in to Varanasi in popularity and importance among the devotees. Kachipuram remained the capital of different successive dynasties starting from the Pallavas to the Cholas and the Rajas of Vijayanagar. It was during the period of the Pallavas some where between 6th and 7th century that the magnificent temples were erected. The city is prominent in present times for the hand-woven silk fabrics and is regularly visited by tourists from all over India and abroad.

Mahabalipuram is referred to as the City of temples. In the ancient days it was known as Mamallapuram and was given the term the Land of Bali. Situated at a distance of just 55 kms from Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, the famous tourist destination and pilgrimage center was once the capital of the mighty Pallava Dynasty. It possesses a major attraction in the form of a basilica meant to be the largest one by the side of a sea shore. Named as Arjuna's penance the mandapams or the large halls are really eye catching .The architectures of the place gives ample proof of the artistry of the period between 5th and 8 th century. One of the oldest temples of South India the sacred shrine dates back to the early 8th century is the Shore Temple. A greater majority of the temples and rock carvings that are built in Mahabalipuram belongs to the reign of Narasimha Varman between 630-668 AD. The conversion of king Mahendra Varman to Shiavism led to the creation of the monuments devoted to the Hindu Gods Lord Shiva and Vishnu.
Overnight in Chennai.

Day 03: Chennai - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram (130 Km/05 hours)
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning leave by surface for Mahabalipuram en route Kanchipuram, once the Golden city of India to visit Shiv Kanchi and Vishnu Kanchi temples. Continue driving to Mahabalipuram. Arrive & check in at hotel.
Overnight in Mahabalipuram

Day 04: Mahabalipuram
Breakfast at hotel.
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 in Mahabalipuram.

Day 05: Mahabalipuram - Chidambram - Gangekondcholapuram - Tanjore
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning leave by surface for Tanjore, the first halt 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. Arrive Tanjore and check in at the hotel.
Overnight in Tanjore.

Day 06: Tanjore - Trichy (56 Km/01 hour 30 mins)
Breakfast at hotel.
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 the hotel. Overnight in Trichy.

Day 07: Trichy - Madurai (131 Kms/03 hours)
Breakfast at hotel.
Morning leave by surface for Madurai. Arrive and check in at Hotel Taj Garden Retreat or similar. 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.
Overnight in Madurai.

Day 08: Madurai
Breakfast at Hotel.

Here you have the option of extending your tour to places of your choice. Do write to us to offer you a comprehensive itinerary for the same.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrival at Delhi. On arrival meet and assist at the airport and transfer to hotel. The capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight in Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi
Breakfast at hotel.
Full day sightseeing of old Delhi & New Delhi that includes visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire,the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence, Lotus Temple etc. Also enjoy the cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
Overnight in Delhi.

Day 03: Delhi - Haridwar
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Haridwar.
A paradise for nature-lovers, Haridwar presents kaleidoscope of Indian culture and civilization. Haridwar also termed as 'Gateway to Gods' is known as Mayapuri, Kapila, Gangadwar as well. The followers of Lord Shiva(Har) and followers of Lord Vishnu(Hari) pronounce this place Haridwar and Haridwar respectively as told by some. It is also a point of entry to Dev Bhoomi and Char Dham (Four main centers of pilgrimage in Uttarakhand) Viz. Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri. Haridwar is also one of the four places; where Kumbh Mela occurs after rotation of every twelve Years and Ardh Kumbh after every six years.
Arrive and check into hotel. Assistance during check in.

Witness the spectacular evening aarti on the banks of the river Ganga.
Overnight in Haridwar.

Day 04: HARIDWAR - RISHIKESH - HARIDWAR
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Rishikesh. Post lunch, enjoy a boat ride on the river ganges.

Rishikesh is one the holy cities of India, the hatha yoga capital of the world, a totally vegetarian town. About 26 Kms from Haridwar. Located in the laps of lower Himalayas, and is surrounded by scenic beauty of the hills on three sides with Holy Ganga flowing through it. The whole place is considered to be 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. Rishikesh is important not only as pilgrimage centre closely associated with the Ramayana, but also as home for many important centres of Hindu religious thought and spirituality, and Great Yoga Centres. There are a great many ashrams and Yoga institutes here. Rishikesh is also the gateway and the start-off point for journeys to important religious places like Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri.

Drive back to Haridwar. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Haridwar.

Day 05: HARIDWAR - DELHI
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave for Delhi by surface.
Arrive Delhi and check into hotel.
Overnight in Delhi

Day 06: DELHI - CHANDIGARH
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave for Chandigarh by surface.
Chandigarh is the best-planned city in India, with world famous architecture. It is very peaceful and serene and has an unparalled quality of life. It is the face of modern India, and is the manifestation of a dream that Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru envisaged and Le Corbusier executed. Arrive Chandigarh and check into hotel.
Overnight in Chandigarh

Day 07: CHANDIGARH - ANANDPURSAHIB -AMRITSAR
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Amritsar en route visiting Anandpur Sahib.
Anandpur Sahib is one of the most important sacred places of the Sikhs and is closely linked with their religious traditions and history. it is second only to Amritsar, the city of Golden Temple. It was founded in 1664 by the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Teg Bahadur ji, near the ruins of an ancient place, Makhowal. The Guru purchased the site from the ruler of Bilaspur. Anandpur Sahib comes to life every year on the occasion of Hola Mohalla, ie during Holi - the festi val of colors celebrated all over India in pomp and gaiety.. This tradition dates back to the times of the 10th Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
Arrive Amritsar and check into hotel.
Overnight in Amritsar.

Day 08: AMRITSAR
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit the Golden Temple. Amritsar means the Pool of the Nectar of Immortality. Originally built during 1574 AD, the site of the temple was surrounded by a small lake in a thin forest. The Golden temple is considered holy by Sikhs because the eternal Guru of Sikhism, the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, is always present inside in it and its construction was mainly intended to build a place of worship for men and women from all walks of life and all religion to come and worship God equally. The Sri Guru Granth Sahib is the holiest literature in the Sikh religion, the tenth Guru of Sikhism, Guru Gobind Singh on 7th October 1708 at Nanded made it the eternal Sikh Guru and the leader of Sikhism. Anywhere in the world where the Guru Granth Sahib is present is equally holy and precious to Sikhs. Amritsar is the location of Harmandir Sahib. The Buddha is also known to have spent time here for contemplation.

Evening: Optional , drive to Wagah border (the Indo - Pak border) where every evening, the spectacular Retreat Ceremony or the Lowering of flags takes place, since 1959. The Wagah Border is also called the Berlin Wall of Asia.
Return to hotel.
Overnight in Amritsar.

Day 09: AMRITSAR - DHARAMSHALA
Breakfast at hotel.
Dharamshala came into being in 1849, when it was selected as a site to accommodate a native regiment that was being raised in the town. Dharamshala originally formed a subsidiary cantonment for the troops stationed at Kangra were fully occupied by its garrison and there was insufficient space for the civil station, a search for an alternate location was made. Dharamshala now really has become international, with a number of Tibetan settlements and the residence of Noble Laureate the 'Dalai Lama'. Dharamshala is divided into two distinct parts: lower Dharamshala the civil and business area with Courts and Kotwali bazar and upper Dharamshala composed of places like Mcleod Ganj and Forsyth Ganj.
Arrive Dharamshala and check into hotel.
Overnight in Dharamshala.

Day 10: DHARAMSHALA
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit the Norbulingka Institute and see the students practicing and/or learning the various forms of Tibetan art. Meditate inside Norbulingka Temple.
Afternoon: Drive to Mcleaodganj and visit His Holiness Dalai Lama's Temple. Also chill out at Namgyal café, a café run by the monks of Dalai Lama Temple - the place is small and the fresh cakes and brewed coffee are a must.
Drive back to hotel.
Overnight in Dharamshala.

Day 11: DHARAMSHALA
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit the Tea Garden and also a tea manufacturing unit.
Also visit Karmapa Monastrey - His Holiness Karmapa is considered second in line to His Holiness Dalai Lama. The Karmapas are believed to have incarnated for seventeen lifetimes - in the form of manifestation of body. If you are lucky, you might get an audience from His Holiness Karmapa. Plan your visit well in advance so we are able to firm up an audience for you. Public audience is held every Wednesdays & Saturdays @ 1430 hours. Pick up your favorite book from the Earth Store, which also has a wide display of items developed by the local populace and the money goes back for their up liftment. Relax with a a cup of Indian Chai or a cappuccino at Café - Tea Mantra.
Drive back to hotel.
Overnight in Dharamshala.

Day 12: DHARAMSHALA
Breakfast at hotel.
Drive to Taragarh - an old palace now converted into a heritage hotel. The property is huge and a visit is complemented with a nice lunch.
Visit the Nunnery en route - the Dongyu Gatsal Ling Nunnery, popularly known as the DGL Nunnery. The DGL Nunnery buildings comprises of the nun's dormitories, the study centre (shedra), and the retreat centre (drubda), the office and the staff quarters and a Traditional Temple for about 108 nuns. It was founded by Tetsua Tenzin Palmo, a British woman and a disciple of the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche Dongyu Nyima. Tetsua also spent twelve years in a cave spending the last three years in strict retreat.
Drive back to hotel.
Overnight in Dharamshala.

Day 13: DHARAMSHALA - DELHI
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Amritsar (approx 6 ½ hours drive) or Pathankot (3 hours drive) depending whether you are taking a flight or an overnight/day train back Delhi.
Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Delhi.

Day 14: DEPART DELHI
Transfer in time to the international airport to board flight for onward destination.

Day 01: Arrive Delhi
Arrival at Delhi. On arrival meet and assist at the airport and transfer to hotel. The capital of kingdoms and empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is a perfect introduction to the composite culture of an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that is India.
Overnight in Delhi.

Day 02: Delhi
Breakfast at hotel.
Full day sightseeing of old Delhi & New Delhi that includes visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire,the Humayun's Tomb, the Qutub Minar, a drive along the ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India Gate, Parliament House, the President's Residence, Lotus Temple etc. Also enjoy the cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to Chandni Chowk.
Overnight in Delhi.

Day 03: Delhi - Varanasi
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer in time to the domestic airport to board flight for Varanasi.
The land of Varanasi (Kashi) has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus for ages. Often referred to as Benares, Varanasi is the oldest living city in the world. These few lines by Mark Twain say it all: "Benaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together". Hindus believe that one who is graced to die on the land of Varanasi would attain salvation and freedom from the cycle of birth and re-birth.
Arrive Varanasi and check into hotel.
Evening: Witness the spectacular world famous aarti on the banks of the river Ganges.
Overnight in Varanasi

Day 04: Varanasi
Early morning boat ride on the Ganges to witness the life on the banks and the sunrise. Return to hotel for breakfast.
Visit Sarnath - the place where Buddha preached his first sermon after enlightenment, just 10 km away, Varanasi has been a symbol of Hindu renaissance.
Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Varanasi

Day 05: Varanasi - Bodhgaya
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Bodhgaya ( approx 265 kms / 5 ½ hours).
Bodhgaya - the place where Buddha attained his Enlightment and came to be known as the Buddha. He was no longer a seeker or Bodhitsattva then. It is the spiritual place of the Buddhists and attracts tens of thousands of believers from all over the world. An all pervading calm envelops the town thus casting a peaceful spell on the visitor.
Arrive Bodhgaya and check into hotel.
Overnight in Bodhgaya

Day 06: Bodhgaya
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit the Mahabodhi Temple. There are seven spots within the precincts of the temple which are specially sacred because at these spots that the Buddha spent a week each, meditating, after his Enlightment. Visitors tread this ground reverentially and carefully because of their association with the Great Master. Across the road from the Mahabodhi Temple, there is the Mahabodhi Society of India and the old Tibetan Monastery and two Japanese Temples. Bodhgaya gets a festive look during the months of April - May ie Baisakhi during Buddha Jayanti celebrations on the full moon night.
Overnight in Bodhgaya

Day 07: Bodhgaya - Patna - Vaishali
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Vaishali en route Patna (approx 180 kms / 3 ½ hours).
Vaishali was the first place where women were ordained into the Sangha. The Buddha's foster mother, Mahaprajapati Gautami along with 500 sakyan women made a pilgrimage by foot from Kapilavastu to Vaishali seeking to join the order. They came to be known as bhikshunis or nuns. It is also the place where the Buddha preached his last sermon.
Arrive Vaishali and check into hotel.
Overnight in Bodhgaya

Day 08: Vaishali - Kushinagar - Lumbini
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Lumbini en route visiting Kushinagar (approx 175 kms / 4 hours).
Kushinagar Is the place where the Buddha chose for his Mahaparinirvana or final exit from this earth. Kushinagar is now identified with the modern village of Kasia, 51 kms from Gorakhpur city in eastern Uttar Pradesh. There are now several new monasteries and temples. The oldest monastery is the large Burmese Chandramani Bhikshu Dharamshala which is next to the Chinese Temple with its marble image of the Buddha and the White Tara. Lumbini Is the sacred site of Lord Buddha's birth - now a small village in Nepal and 27 kms from Sonauli on the Indo - Nepal border. The place where the miraculous birth took place is today a mound that has been cordoned off for further excavations. In the vicinity, is the Lumbini Research Institute which has an impressive collection of Buddhist literature and a museum.
Arrive Lumbini and check into hotel.
Overnight in Lumbini

Day 09: Lumbini - Kapilavastu - Sravasti
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Sravasti en route visiting Kapilavastu (approx 275 kms / 6 ½ hours).
Kapilavastu, the capital of Sakyas, here the Lord spent his first thirty years of his life. There is a small Srilankan monastery and temple, Mahinda Mahavihara in the vicinity of the ruins. Sravasti, also called Sahet Mahet, Sravasti was host to the Master for 25 years during the annual vassavasa (rain retreat) when the Sangha congregated at one place. It was also in Sravasti that Lord performed the only miracle of his life in response to a challenge from six non - believers. Arrive Sravasti and check into hotel.
Overnight in Sravasti

Day 10: Sravasti - Ayodhya
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Ayodhya (approx 200 kms / 4 hours).
Ayodha is an ancient city of India, the old capital of Awadh, in the Faizabad district of Uttar Pradesh. Ayodhya is described as the birth place of Hindu god Sri Rama, and the capital of the ancient Kosala Kingdom. This Hindu holy city is described as early as in the Hindu Epics. Ayodhya has an average elevation of 93 metres (305 feet).
Arrive Faizabad ( 12 kms from Ayodhya) and check into hotel.
Overnight in Ayodya

Day 11: Ayodhya - Allahabad
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Allahabad (approx 150 kms / 3 hours).
Allahabad also known as Prayag located in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh and administrative headquarters of Allahabad District.The ancient name of the city is Prayag (Sanskrit for "place of sacrifice") and is believed to be the spot where Brahma offered his first sacrifice after creating the world. It is one of four sites of the mass Hindu pilgrimage Kumbh Mela, the others being Haridwar, Ujjain and Nashik. It has a position of importance in Hindu scriptures for it is situated at Triveni Sangam, the confluence of the holy rivers Ganges and Yamuna, and the ancient Sarasvati River.
Arrive Allahabad and check into hotel.
Overnight in Allahabad.

Day 12: Allahabad - Varanasi
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Varanasi (approx 125 kms / 2 ½ hours).
Arrive Varanasi and check into hotel.
Overnight in Varanasi.

Day 13: Varanasi - Khajuraho
Breakfast at hotel.
Transfer in time to the airport to board flight for Khajuraho.
Arrive and transfer to hotel.
Visit Eastern Group of Temples - The sculptural embellishment and profundity of architectural designs in Temples of Khajuraho is well ostensible in the Eastern Group of Temples. These temples can be subdivided into two groups, one representing some of the finest Jain temples and another scattered through the neighboring village.
Overnight in Khajuraho.

Day 14: Khajuraho - Orchha - Jhansi - Agra
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Western Group of Temples - Western Group of Temples in Khajuraho constitutes some of the most splendid and architecturally marvelous specimen of temple architecture in India. The group includes such magnificent temples like Kandariya Mahadeo Temple, Chaunsat Yogini Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Lakshamana Temple, Matangeswara Temple, and Varaha Temple.
Leave by surface for Jhansi en route stopping at Orchha for lunch .
Arrive Jhansi and board train for Agra.
Arrive Agra and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Agra

Day 15: Agra
Breakfast at hotel.
Agra is a medieval city situated on the banks of the river Yamuna. It is generally accepted that Sultan Sikandar Lodi, the Ruler of Delhi Sultanate founded it in the year 1504. After the sultan's death the city passed on to his son Sultan Ibrahim Lodi. He ruled his Sultanate from Agra until he fell fighting to Babur in the First battle of Panipat fought in 1526.
Visit Taj Mahal and Agra Fort.
Also sometimes called the Red Fort, was built by Akbar in 1565. The red sandstone fort was renovated and converted into a palace during Shah Jahan's time, and reworked extensively with marble and pietra dura inlay.

Taj Mahal is a beautifully crafted white marble monument of India, a memento of love that was built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in the memory of his beloved wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Overnight in Agra

Day 16: Agra - Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Jaipur.
Jaipur is the first planned city of India, located in the desert lands of Rajasthan. The city that once had been the capital of the royalty, now serves as the capital city of Rajasthan. The very structure of Jaipur resembles the taste of the Rajputs and the Royal family. The city of Jaipur, painted in pink, grasp the appreciation of every visitor.
Arrive and check into hotel.
Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 17: Jaipur
Breakfast at hotel.
Visit Amber Fort on elephant back.
Afternoon - city sight seeing visiting the City Palace, the observatory and Hawa Mahal.
Evening: Drive to Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic village resort for dinner and cultural show. Overnight in Jaipur.

Day 18: Jaipur - Pushkar
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Pushkar.
IF YOU ARE TRAVELING TO PUSHKAR DURING Pushkar Mela - THEN WE RECOMMEND ATLEAST 04 NIGHTS STAY AT PUSHKAR.
Nestled between Jaipur and Ajmer, Pushkar comes alive every year with the start of Pushkar Mela - an internationally acclaimed largest camel fair, also known as Pushkar Camel Festival held every year during Karthik Purnima, the eight month of Hindu calendar and the holiest. It is time when Hindu pilgrims take a holy dip in Pushkar's sacred waters.
Arrive and check into hotel.
Overnight in Pushkar.

Day 19: Pushkar - Ajmer - Delhi
Breakfast at hotel.
Leave by surface for Ajmer - the holy town of the Muslims, where the Dargah is mostly visited by Hindu pilgrims rather than their own community. It has the mausoleum of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, whose blessings are eagerly sought by pilgrims to his dargah. Known as the 'Dargah Sharif', the last resting place of the saint who died in 1235 lies at the foot of a barren hill.
Continue driving to Delhi.
Arrive Delhi and check into hotel.
Overnight in Delhi.

Day 20: Depart Delhi
Transfer in time to the international airport to board flight for onward destination.