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Varanasi Pilgrimage Tour
Varanasi, the temple city of India, is regarded as the most sacred Hindu pilgrimage center of India. Sprawling along the left bank of the holy river Ganga, Varanasi houses hundreds of temples, shrines and palaces, which appear like rising in several tiers from the water's edge. It is also a city of fairs and festivals, celebrating about 400 of them all round the year. Also referred as Banaras and Kashi, Varanasi is also an important city for Buddhists as Lord Buddha preached his first sermon here. According to the historians, the temple city of Varanasi was founded about 3,000 years ago. The city is mentioned in Holy Scriptures like 'Vamana Purana', Buddhist texts and in the epic 'Mahabharata'. According to Hindu scriptures and religious beliefs Varanasi is the abode of the Hindu deity Lord Shiva.Major Attractions in Varanasi :
Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Varanasi has a strong association with Lord Shiva and believed to be his abode. The Kashi Vishwanath Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. Varanasi is said to be the point at which the first jyotirlinga-the fiery pillar of light- by which Shiva manifested his supremacy over other gods, broke through the earth's crust and flared towards the heavens. The Shivalinga installed in the temple is regarded as the more sacred than Ghats and even sacred Ganga and is the main attraction for pilgrims.
The Ghats (River Front): Varanasi Ghats are the major attractions of the temple city. There are more than one hundred Ghats in the city and each of them is marked by a lingam having their own religious significance. Thousands of devotees throng to these Ghats every in the morning to take a dip in the holy water and enjoy a spectacular view of sunrise. Though most of the Ghats are used for bathing, some of them are also used for cremations. The most sacred Ghats in Varanasi are the Asi Ghat, Adi Keshava Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat, Panchaganga Ghat and Dashashwamedha Ghat. The Pancha Trirtha Yatra is performed by crossing these five Ghats.
Duration : 09 nights / 10 days
Destinations : Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Varanasi - Delhi
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi.
Transfer to hotel. Morning tour of Qutub Minar, India gate, Lakshmi Narayan Temple & drive past President's house & Parliament house. Afternoon tour of Old Delhi visiting Rajghat & Shanti vana, Jama masjid, Red fort & drive past Chandni Chowk. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi.
Morning after breakfast sightseeing tour of Capitol State of India. Visit Red Fort, Hawa Masjid, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, and Chandani Chowk Qutab Minar,Humayun Tomb, Birla Temple,Rashtrapati Bhawan & Lotus Temple. Overnight stay In Delhi.
Day 03 : Delhi-Jaipur by surface. (260Kms,-5-6hrs).
Morning after breakfast leave for Jaipur by surface, to reach by afternoon. On arrival check in at hotel. Evening free to go through the busy market of pink city. Overnight stay at Jaipur.
Day 04 : Jaipur.
Today is the day for sightseeing tour of Pink City. Morning after breakfast visit Amber fort – Commenced by Raja Man Singh in 1600 AD and then completed by Sawai Jai Singh in the 18th Century. The fort is an example of fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture built in red Sandstone and white marble. The highlight of the fort is the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), a Palace known for its craftsmanship in mirrors. You can enjoy the elephant ride while climbing the Fort. After lunch visit the old city of Jaipur “Pink city” built in 18th century by King Jai Singh. Visit City Palace, the observatory of 18th century - Jantar Mantar and fanciful Hawa Mahal or Palace of breeze. Overnight stay at Jaipur.
Day 05 : Jaipur-Agra By surface. (235 Kms, 4-5 Hrs)
Morning after breakfast leave for Agra. En route stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the 16th century Medieval Capital city of the Mughal’s abandoned barely six years after its completion. Its wealth of Beautiful Red sandstone structures contains the emperor's apartments, the Hall of Private Audience Where the emperor received and conferred with special visitors, the carved, airy Apartment called the Turkish Sultana's House; the Hall of Public Audience, a courtyard Pachisi Board where, it is said, colorfully dressed ladies of the court served as pieces in chess games Played by royalty, and elegant five storied pavilion called Panch Mahal. On arrival in Agra check in at hotel. Later in the evening visit Taj Mahal. Overnight stay at Agra.
Day 06 : Agra – Delhi (by train)
Day sightseeing of the world famous city for its monument of love. We begin with a visit incomparable Taj Mahal. Commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his dead wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the mausoleum is the result of hard work of more than 20,000 workmen and 22 years, from 1631 to 1653, to complete. Later proceed to Agra Fort built by three generations of Mughal emperors. From an interior pavilion you can see the Taj Mahal appearing across the River Yamuna as a distant mirage. We proceed to the Mausoleum of Itmad Ud Daula that was built by Empress Noor Jahan, nine years before the construction of the Taj Mahal was begun. It is the first Mughal era building of all white marble, with designs that are even more delicate than those of the Taj Mahal. Almost the entire surface is covered with mosaics inlaid with semi-precious stones, and marble latticework decorates entrance arches, inside walls and screens. In the evening transfer to railway station to board train for Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, check in at hotel.
Day 07 : Delhi – Varanasi (by flight)
After breakfast transfer to domestic airport to board flight for Varanasi. On arrival check in at hotel. Evening free at leisure at the Ghats of Varanasi. Overnight at Varanasi.
Day 08 : Varanasi
Enjoy early morning boat ride on the sacred river Ganges. After breakfast go for a site seeing tour of Varanasi. Visit: Bharat Mata Temple, Monkey Temple and other famous temples in Varanasi. Evening free at leisure. Overnight at Varanasi.
Day 09 : Varanasi
Enjoy early morning boat ride on the sacred river Ganges. Later visit Sarnath and Banaras Hindu University. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at Varanasi.
Day 10 : Varanasi - Delhi - Onward
After breakfast transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival transfer to international airport to board flight for onward destination.
Destinations : Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Varanasi - Delhi
Day 01 : Arrive Delhi.
Transfer to hotel. Morning tour of Qutub Minar, India gate, Lakshmi Narayan Temple & drive past President's house & Parliament house. Afternoon tour of Old Delhi visiting Rajghat & Shanti vana, Jama masjid, Red fort & drive past Chandni Chowk. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 : Delhi.
Morning after breakfast sightseeing tour of Capitol State of India. Visit Red Fort, Hawa Masjid, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial, and Chandani Chowk Qutab Minar,Humayun Tomb, Birla Temple,Rashtrapati Bhawan & Lotus Temple. Overnight stay In Delhi.
Day 03 : Delhi-Jaipur by surface. (260Kms,-5-6hrs).
Morning after breakfast leave for Jaipur by surface, to reach by afternoon. On arrival check in at hotel. Evening free to go through the busy market of pink city. Overnight stay at Jaipur.
Day 04 : Jaipur.
Today is the day for sightseeing tour of Pink City. Morning after breakfast visit Amber fort – Commenced by Raja Man Singh in 1600 AD and then completed by Sawai Jai Singh in the 18th Century. The fort is an example of fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture built in red Sandstone and white marble. The highlight of the fort is the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), a Palace known for its craftsmanship in mirrors. You can enjoy the elephant ride while climbing the Fort. After lunch visit the old city of Jaipur “Pink city” built in 18th century by King Jai Singh. Visit City Palace, the observatory of 18th century - Jantar Mantar and fanciful Hawa Mahal or Palace of breeze. Overnight stay at Jaipur.
Day 05 : Jaipur-Agra By surface. (235 Kms, 4-5 Hrs)
Morning after breakfast leave for Agra. En route stop at Fatehpur Sikri, the 16th century Medieval Capital city of the Mughal’s abandoned barely six years after its completion. Its wealth of Beautiful Red sandstone structures contains the emperor's apartments, the Hall of Private Audience Where the emperor received and conferred with special visitors, the carved, airy Apartment called the Turkish Sultana's House; the Hall of Public Audience, a courtyard Pachisi Board where, it is said, colorfully dressed ladies of the court served as pieces in chess games Played by royalty, and elegant five storied pavilion called Panch Mahal. On arrival in Agra check in at hotel. Later in the evening visit Taj Mahal. Overnight stay at Agra.
Day 06 : Agra – Delhi (by train)
Day sightseeing of the world famous city for its monument of love. We begin with a visit incomparable Taj Mahal. Commissioned by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a memorial to his dead wife, Mumtaz Mahal, the mausoleum is the result of hard work of more than 20,000 workmen and 22 years, from 1631 to 1653, to complete. Later proceed to Agra Fort built by three generations of Mughal emperors. From an interior pavilion you can see the Taj Mahal appearing across the River Yamuna as a distant mirage. We proceed to the Mausoleum of Itmad Ud Daula that was built by Empress Noor Jahan, nine years before the construction of the Taj Mahal was begun. It is the first Mughal era building of all white marble, with designs that are even more delicate than those of the Taj Mahal. Almost the entire surface is covered with mosaics inlaid with semi-precious stones, and marble latticework decorates entrance arches, inside walls and screens. In the evening transfer to railway station to board train for Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, check in at hotel.
Day 07 : Delhi – Varanasi (by flight)
After breakfast transfer to domestic airport to board flight for Varanasi. On arrival check in at hotel. Evening free at leisure at the Ghats of Varanasi. Overnight at Varanasi.Day 08 : Varanasi
Enjoy early morning boat ride on the sacred river Ganges. After breakfast go for a site seeing tour of Varanasi. Visit: Bharat Mata Temple, Monkey Temple and other famous temples in Varanasi. Evening free at leisure. Overnight at Varanasi.
Day 09 : Varanasi
Enjoy early morning boat ride on the sacred river Ganges. Later visit Sarnath and Banaras Hindu University. Rest of the day is at leisure. Overnight at Varanasi.
Day 10 : Varanasi - Delhi - Onward
After breakfast transfer to airport to board flight for Delhi. On arrival transfer to international airport to board flight for onward destination.
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