Mystic India

---

Service description:

A trip of 17 days through the Indian subcontinent will bring you into the mysterious world of religions and tradiions.

There is more diversity of religions in India than anywhere on earth. Apart from having representations from almost all the religions of the world, India is also the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism. India has also played host to a number of communities who have freely practised their beliefs – thus you can find Jewish Synagogues, Armenian Churches, Zoraastrian Fire Temples in the neighbourhood of more mainstream temples, mosques and churches.

Each religion in India has its own pilgrimage sites, gods, heroes, legends, customs and traditions and festivities. Indeed, it is these diverse festivities which add huge amount of colours to India and give her the image of a ‘colourful country’. Whether it is the gathering of millions of faithful at the Kumbh Mela, bowing in prayer in the courtyard of a mosque during Eid, decorating the houses with lamps during Diwali, or the vibrant festivities during Christmas, religious festivals of India are celebrations of shared emotion that bring people together.
Best Season : October - March


Day 1: Arrive Delhi
Arrive in Delhi today. On arrival you will be received and escorted to your hotel (your room is available from 12 noon onwards).
Accommodation: Delhi
Meals: None

Day 2: Delhi
This morning you will be taken to Old Delhi where you visit medieval Jama Mosque. Afterwards explore the old town in a walking tour - exploring centuries old arts and crafts with businessmen belonging to the 6th or 7th generation of the men who first started them. During your walking tour you will get to visit a Jain Temple and the attached bird hospital (which is a mark of compassion...so central to Jainism). Indeed you will also visit a Sikh Temple. Later in the afternoon you will be taken on a tour of New Delhi visiting – Qutub Minar, Humayun’s Tomb and drive past Lutyens Delhi.
Accommodation: Delhi
Meals: Breakfast

Day 3: Delhi
This morning you will be taken to visit Akshardham Temple complex which displays millennia of traditional Indian and Hindu culture, spirituality and architecture.
In the evening you will be taken to one of the most esoteric experiences of Delhi culture; the experience is seldom visited by foreigners – Sufi Experience. A mystical branch of Islamic philosophy, Sufism believes that abstinence, self-denial and tolerance even of other religions are the route to union with God. Sufis also believe that being in a trance-like state of ecstasy brings the believer close to God and to this end music and dance are used quite extensively. If you are lucky you will also be treated to some live qawwali singing (devotional sufi music). It is during this time that Dervishes (sufi holy men) fall into such a trance like state that they go into a frenzied whirling.
Accommodation: Delhi
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Delhi – Agra
This morning you will be driven to Agra (3.5 hours).
Built in the early 16th century and the capital of mighty Mughals for a long time, Agra is famous for its beautiful monuments of the medieval times. In the afternoon you will be taken to explore Agra – visiting Agra Fort and Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays).
The Taj Mahal (closed on Fridays) has been described as a 'tear on the face of eternity' and as an enduring monument of love. The unique beauty of Taj Mahal is blended with grandeur and its massive over-all design is matched with immaculately intricate execution. Built by Mughal Emperor Shan Jehan in the memory of his beloved queen Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal complex took 22 years to be completed and is today counted among the Seven Wonders of the World. It is particularly stunning at the time of sunrise and sunset.
Accommodation: Agra
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Agra – Orchha – Khajuraho
This morning you will be taken to the rail station to board your train to Jhansi (Shatabdi Express @ 0815/1045hrs). On your arrival at Jhansi railway station you will be received and driven to Khajuraho (3.5 hours) - en route you may visit Orchha, a small medieval town frozen in time.
On arrival in Khajuraho you will check into your hotel and be at leisure for the rest of the day.
Accommodation: Khajuraho
Meals: Breakfast

Day 6: Khajuraho
Today you will be taken to visit Khajuraho Temples where you will see the influence of tribal Tantricism on Indian religion of the middle ages. In these temples, the sculptures have shown many aspects of Indian life 1000 years ago — amorous figures, gods and goddesses, warriors and musicians, real and mythological animals.
Accommodation: Khajuraho
Meals: Breakfast

Day 7: Khajuraho - Varanasi
Today you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport to board your flight to Varanasi. On arrival at Varanasi you will be received and transferred to you hotel.

Varanasi is a city of temples and places of worship and for more than 2000 years, it has attracted pilgrims from near and far. Many Hindus in the latter part of their lives wish to spend their retirement here. According to Hindu belief, Benaras or Varanasi as it is known, is the cosmic centre of the Universe. It is also called Kashi, the city of lights.Later this evening you will be taken to witness the mesmerising ‘Aarti’ by the banks of the Ganges.
Accommodation: Varanasi
Meals: Breakfast

Day 8: Varanasi
Early this morning you will be taken to the ghats and enjoy boat ride on the river while watching spectacular sunrise.Viewing the ghats early in the morning from a boat on the river can be an unforgettable experience. The river front, as seen from a boat, early in the morning, at sunrise, is a spiritually uplifting sight. Hinduism, deep and mystical, is everywhere - in a decorated doorway, in a glimpse of a glittering temple, in the sound of a sacred bell and the chants of the priests.... After your boat ride you will be taken on a brief walking tour of the old town.
In the afternoon you will be driven a short distance to visit Sarnath (Sarnath Museum is closed on Mondays). Sarnath is an important centre for Buddhists pilgrims. Having achieved enlightenment at Bodhgaya, the Buddha came to Sarnath and gave his first message of the middle path to Nirvana. Later, Ashoka, the great Buddhist Emperor, erected magnificent 'stupas' and monasteries here in the 3rd century BC.
Accommodation: Varanasi
Meals: Breakfast

Day 9: Varanasi – Bodhgaya
This morning you will be collected from your hotel and driven to Bodhgaya (6 hours) where you arrive around noon.Twenty five centuries ago Prince Siddhartha wandering for many years, came to a spot in a forest, where he sat down under a fig tree. There, in a burst of enlightenment, he discovered the meaning of existence and became Lord Buddha. This place is Bodhgaya. The forests, the Buddha knew, have long gone, but the message of peace he gave to the world lives on in ancient Bodhgaya. Today, Bodhgaya is a town of temples and monasteries from all the major Buddhist countries of the world.
Holiest of all Buddhist places, Bodhgaya is a serene and quiet tiny little village situated on the bank of river Niranjana. Later in the evening wander around the small place.
Accommodation: Bodhgaya
Meals: Breakfast

Day 10: Bodhgaya
Today you will be taken to explore this holy town of Bodhgaya – visiting Bodhi Tree, Mahabodhi Temple, Vajrasana and a number of new Buddhist temples and museum.
Tradition states that Buddha stayed in Bodhgaya for seven weeks after enlightenment. Each week was spent in the different part of the temple complex. The first week was spent under the Bodhi tree. The present Bodhi tree is probably the fifth succession of the original tree under which the Buddha had attained enlightenment.
Adjacent to the Bodhi tree is the truncated pyramidal Mahabodhi temple soaring to a height of 170 feet. Between the temple and the tree is the diamond throne, Vajrasana which marks Buddha's seat of meditation. There is also an archaeological museum here, which has a collection of Buddha figures and the pillars found in the area. Accommodation: Bodhgaya
Meals: Breakfast

Day 11: Bodhgaya - Kolkat
Today you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport to board your flight to Kolkata. On arrival at Varanasi you will be received and transferred to you hotel. A mere village in the 17th century, Kolkata (Calcutta) thrived during the British Raj and became a leading centre for commerce and a port of call for east bound ships. Kolkata today reveals the rich diversity of the Bengali artistic heritage.
Accommodation: Kolkata
Meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Kolkata
This morning you will be taken to explore Kolkata city in a half day tour – visiting Victoria Memorial, Botanical Gardens and Mother Teresa’s Missionary of Charity.
Later in the afternoon you can undertake a walking tour of Kolkata’s little known ‘confluence of cultures’. The walking tour will trace for you the origins and remains of the varied communities that hung their boots and called Kolkata home. We will visit such migrant communities as the Chinese who thrive in China town, the dwindling Parsis or the Zoroastrians, the Armenians who gave the city its oldest surviving Christian church, the Anglo-Indians, the Muslims, the Marwaris, the Biharis and many more that made this city a great melting pot of diverse cultures.
Accommodation: Kolkata
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Kolkata
This morning you will be taken to the famous Kali Temple of Kolkata.
For most people, the divine is associated with beauty and love. Images of gods and goddesses are therefore expected to please the eye and the heart. KaIi, however, defies these expectations. She is 'dark, gaunt, and bloodthirsty. Her form takes one by surprise - frightening at first, then confounding. Kali is not a typical Aryan goddess and is clearly an assimilated goddess of tribals who was incorporated into the Bramanical pantheon as the 'killer of demons', and the 'protecting mother'.
Later in the afternoon visit the headquarters of Ramakrishna Movement at Belur Math – one of the best known symbols of spiritual awakening during British India.
It was founded by Sri Ramakrishna's chief apostle, Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902), one of the foremost thinkers and religious leaders of the present age,
Accommodation: Kolkata
Meals: Breakfast

Day 14: Kolkata – Chennai - Madurai
Today you will be collected from your hotel and driven to the airport to board your flight to Madurai via Chennai. On arrival in Madurai you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel.
Madurai town is perhaps the most vibrant town of southern India and throbs with vim and vitality. All activities at Madurai are centred around Sri Meenakshi Temple, which is in the heart of the old town and is one of the most stunning living temples in the country.
Later in the evening you will be taken to visit the beautiful temple for evening ceremony
This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva’s consort Parvati who is known here as Meenakshi. The temple complex is within a high-walled enclosure, at the core of which are the two sanctums surrounded by a number of smaller shrines and grand pillared halls. Accommodation: Madurai
Meals: Breakfast

Day 15: Madurai - Chennai
This morning you will be taken to visit the temple complex one more time. Afterwards you will be taken to the airport in time to board your flight to Chennai. On arrival in Chennai you will be met by our representative and taken to your hotel.

Situated on the eastern coast of India, Chennai (earlier called Madras) is the fourth largest of the Indian cities, after Mumbai, Calcutta and Delhi. It used to be one of the bastions of the British Empire and a trading post for the East India Company. Today, this metropolis is a microcosm of ancient traditions and cultures co-existing with modern day industry and commerce. It is a fascinating city with ancient temples and unique culture, golden sandy beaches merging with the breakers of the Bay of Bengal and a marvellous tradition of music and dance.
Accommodation: Chennai
Meals: Breakfast

Day 16: Chennai
Today you will be taken to for a sightseeing tour of Chennai – visiting Fort St George and Kapaleeswarar Temple. The Fort St. George, a 350-year-old fort with wide battlements is a reminder of the British Empire. Today, the old buildings in the fort house the Tamil Nadu State Government Secretariat and the Legislative Assembly. Within the fort complex, a number of other early buildings still stand, of which St. Mary's Church is the most interesting. The church has many paintings, records and registers, each with a story to tell. The renowned Kapaleeswarar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple complex has the traditional market, the tank and Brahmin residential houses. Accommodation: Chennai
Meals: Breakfast

Day 17: Chennai – Onward Flight
This morning you will be transferred to the international airport for your onward flight.

This tour can be given in Engish, French, Dutch or Russian.


The prices Include:
Accommodation on twin-share basis in the mentioned hotels or similar
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary
Transportation as per group strength
Rickshaw ride in Delhi
Boat Ride in Varanasi
All meet and greet services
All currently applicable taxes

The prices DO NOT include:
Items of personal nature like tips, laundry, telephone calls, drinks, etc
Any other meals than those mentioned above
International airfare
Airport or VISA fee
Camera charges at monuments
Any other item not specifically mentioned above as INCLUDED
General:
The prices are based on current tax structure and will change in case of revision of taxes

Service order Any questions?

Photo gallery:

---