India Temple Tour Guide,Temple Tours in India,India Temple Tour Packages,Temples of India,Indian Temples,Temple Travel India,India Temple Travel Destination

Temples of India
Places to visit - Delhi - Jaipur - Agra - Jhansi - Orcha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Delhi - Madras - Mahabalipuram - Kanchipuram - Tanjore - Tirchy - Madurai - Madras
Duration - 16 Nights / 17 Days

Bahai Temple delhi

Day 01 - Delhi
Assistance and transfer to the hotel. Check-in time is 12 Noon. Overnight.

Day 02 - Delhi
Morning sightseeing tour of Old & New Delhi. This morning you will be taken to visit Old Delhi - Former centre of Moghul Power, Old Delhi offers ancient monuments, narrow streets and bustling bazaars. Visit the vast Red Fort, built in 1648, the Jama Masjid, the greatest mosque in India and completed in 1658 by Shah Jahan who also built the Taj Mahal, and the Raj Ghat, the simple memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Drive past the stately government buildings of the British Era designed by Lutyens, including the India Gate & the Presidential Palace. Continue onto the beautiful Humayun;s tomb of the Mughal era & predecessor of the world famous Taj Mahal.
Afternoon tour of the temples. Visit to the Laxmi Narayan Temple, popularly known as the Birla Mandir, is a large Hindu temple built in 1938. People of all faiths can enter and worship, but one must walk barefoot into the courtyard and further on.
A visit to the Baha'i Temple situated atop the Kalkaji Hill. This distinctive lotus shaped marvel, surrounded by a landscaped garden, has been dubbed the Taj Mahal of the 21st Century. Also, visit the beautiful Bangla Sahib Gurudwara temple, the most important site of worship for both sikhs and Hindus in Delhi. Overnight at hotel.

Day 03 - Delhi - Jaipur drive, 260 km
Morning drive to Jaipur and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. Overnight at the hotel. Morning excursion to Amber Fort, set in a picturesque location. Amer is a fascinating blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture. Built in the 16th centuary by Raja Mansingh in red sandstone and white marble, the palace complex has some very interesting apartments. Jai Mandir, Sheesh Mahal, Sukh Niwas, Ganesh Pol and Temple of Kali are some of the prominent areas of interest. Elephants are provided to ascend the fort to visit the complex.

Afternoon city sightseeing tour Jaipur, this city was built by Maharaja Jai Singh, the notable astronomer 260 years ago. Visit the Maharaja’s City Palace, the home of the erstwhile royal family, the Observatory, Ram Niwas Gardens, Hawa Mahal or the Palace of winds built in 1799 by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh and drive past the old part of Jaipur city

Chitra Temple

Day 04 - Jaipur - Agra drive, 235 km/6 hours
Drive to Agra visiting enroute Fatehpur Sikri. Fatehpur Sikri, the birth story of this beautiful city is interesting. There, in a grotto in Sikri, lived a Muslim Saint , Sheikh Salim Chishti by name. Akbar hearing of his renown, asked of the blessings of a son, and when a son was born, not only was the child named Salim, the site for a mighty and ambitious project - a city - was chosen near the residence of the saint erected in k1569. The shortage of water lead to the desertion of this city. Visit the mosque of Salim Chishti, Panch Mahal and other Palaces. On arrival, check-in at the hotel for overnight.

Day 05 - Agra
Agra, the home of the immortal Taj Mahal, the inimitable poem in white marble is the first expression of love of an Emperor Shahjehan for his queen Mumtaz Mahal. This great monument was completed in 1653 AD. Agra Fort, the imposing structure on the banks of the river Yamuna is replete with priceless examples of craftsmanship in the Mughal period, including the beautiful pearl Mosque, it was designed and built by Emperor Akbar in 1565 AD. Tomb of Itimadd-ud-Daulah built between 1622 AD by Empress Nur Jehan, in memory of her father, Ghias-id-Din Beg., it is considered a precursor of the Taj Mahal. Afternoon at leisure.

Khajuraho Temple

Day 06 - Agra - Jhansi - Orcha
Transfer to railway station for train to Jhansi (0800-1040 hours) Assistance on arrival and transfer by coach to Khajuraho(30 minutes) Orcha had the distinction of being the capital of one of the largest and most powerful kingdoms of central India. Situated on the river Betwa, the medieval city was founded in the 16th century by the Bundela Chieftain Rudra pratap.The succeeding rulers built some of the finest examples of Bundela architecture which can be seen at Orcha today, such as Jehangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, Raj Praveen Mahal, Ram Raj Temple, Chaturbhuj Temple, Sunder Mahal.

Day 07 - Orcha - Khajuraho, 175 km/4 hours
Drive to Khajurhao and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon visit of Khajuraho temples Khajuraho, once the great capital of Chandela, now a quiet town, Khajuraho temples here were built during the Chandela period from 950 to 1050 AD. Almost intriguing as the sheet beauty and the size of the temples is the question of why and how they were built here as Khajuraho is isolated, 1000 years ago as it is even today. The temples are superb examples of Indo-Aryan architecture and depict images of gods and goddesses, warriors and musicians, real and mythological animals and in great detail – women and sex. In between are the mithuna, eroti figures running through a whole Kamasutra of positions and possibilities. Of the two groups of temples – Western and Eastern – important temples to visit are – Lakshmi and Varaha, Lakshmana, Kandariya Mahadev, Devi Jagdamba, Chitradurga, Parvati, Vishvanath Temple and Nandi, Chausath Yogini, Parsanavanth and Adinath

Varanasi Temple

Day 08 - Khajuraho -Varanasi flight
Transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi On arrival, transfer to the hotel. Rest of the day free

Day 09 - Varanasi
Early morning boat cruise on river Ganges. Thousands of pilgrims throng the water’s edge, bathing, worshipping, meditating. On stone platforms under palm leaf umbrellas, the Pandas-Brahmin priests preside over rites and rituals. The boat trip will cover various ghats including the cremation sites. Because every pious Hindu believes that to die in Kashi (Varanasi)and to be cremated on the banks of the Ganges is to attain release from the cycle of birth and death. Afternoon city sightseeing tour. Varanasi, one of the oldest living cities in the world, believed to be founded 3000 years ago, is one of the 7 holiest cities of Hindus. It was a flourishing trading centre 500 BC when the Buddha came to Sarnath to preach his first sermon. A city of great wealth and religious importance when the Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang, visited it in the 7th century. Visit the Vishwanath Golden Temple, the abode of great God Shiva, Bharat Mata Temple, Durga Temple, Tulsi Manas Mandir and Banaras Hindu University.

Day 10 - Varanasi - Delhi flight
Morning visit Sarnath. Sarnath, 7 km from the city where Buddha preached his first sermon more than 2500 years ago. The site is marked by the massive Dhamek stupa which is believed to date back to 500 AD. Nearby is a Museum where rare collection of manuscripts and other items related with Lord Buddha can be seen.

Afternoon transfer to airport for flight to Delhi Assistance on arrival and transfer to international airport for return flight

Day 11 - Delhi - Madras Flight
Arrive Madras by international flight. Assistance on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon sightseeing tour.

Madras Temple South India

Madras, the capital city, popularly regarded as the 'Gateway to the South' represents a culture that is distinctly different from that of northern India. The places of interest are Kalakshetra, a school of art and music that encourages exponents of Bharatnatyam, Carnatic music, traditional weaving and designing; Fort St. George built in 1653 during British reign in India, - now houes the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu; St. Mary's Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India with its premies; Sri Parthasarathy Temple built by Pallavas in the 8th century AD; Kapaliswara Temple, Mylapore also an eitth century Pallava Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva; San Thomas Cathedral Basilica rebuilt in 1606 as a cathedral and in 1896 it was madea basilica; and Theosophical Society - the world headquarters of the Theosophical Society formed to encourage the study of comparative religion philosophy and science.

Day 12 - Madras - Kanchipuram - Mahabalipuram, 140 km
Morning drive to Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram, 70 kms west of Mahabalipuram, this city of thousand temples lies. One of the seven sacred cities of Hindus, it was the capital of the early Cholas as far back as the 2nd century BC. Kanchi was a major seat of Tamil learning as well as an important place of pilgrimage for Buddhists, Jains and Hindus. Apart from temples, the city is also famous for its silk weavers, settled here some 400 years ago and have given it an enviable reputation. Later proceed to Mahablipuram. Mahabalipuram, driving south of Madras on the coast lies Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram), the ancient port of Pallavas. The pallavas have created many marvellous monuments with sculptural panels, caves, Monolithic Rathas and Temples. Krishna Mandapam, has a big bas relief, notable for its realistic representation. The world's largest bas relief measuring 27m x 9m, whale back shaped rock contains figures of gods, demi-gods, men .beasts, birds and represention of the entire creation. Shore Temple, one of the oldest in south dating back to 8th century AD is a good example ofthe first phase of structural temples constructed in Dravidian style. The Five Rathas, a group of five monolithic temples, each created in different style. Overnight at the hotel in Covelong.

Mahabalipuram Temple India

Day 13 - Mahabalipuram - Tanjore, 280 km
An early departure for Tanjore visiting enroute Pondicherry. PONDICHERRY - Although the French influence is gradually fading, Pondicherry retains a few Gallic accents. Pondicherry's main sights are the Rai Nivas, the Sacred Heart Church and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. The ashram retreat was founded in 1926 by Sri Aurobindo after whose death the spiritual authority passed to one of his dispiles, a French woman known as the Mother. The Mother was also instrumental in founding the city of Dawn Auroville, 10 km from Pondicherry. Its original charter aimed at creating a city of the future where people from India and abroad could live and work together in a spiritual environment. Arrive Tanjore and on arrival, check-in at the hotel for overnight.

Day 14 - Tanjore - Trichy, 56 km
Morning sightseeing tour of Tanjore. Tanjore - The home of Carnatic music, musical instruments, dance and traditional hadicrafts, Tanjore (Thanjavur) is famous for the Brahadeeswarar Temple. The temple constructed more than a thousand years ago by the Chola King Raja Rajan is an architect's marvel. The Art Gallery and the Saraswathi Mahal Library are also well known places of interest.

Drive to Trichy and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Afternoon visit Srirangam. 5 kms from Trichy, located in an island is Srirangam. Surrounded by the Kaveri water is a 600 acre island town enclosed within the seven walls on the gigantic Sri Ranganathaswami temple. There are no less than 22 gopurams, one of which is the tallest in India. The 72 m high 13 tiered gopuram dominates the landscape for miles around.

Day 15 - Trichy - Madurai, 142 km
Morning visit Rock Fort Temple. The Rock Fort situated on the banks of the Kaveri river, Trichy's most famed land mark is an 84 m high rock, one of the oldest in the world aprox.3,800 million years. The attraction is not for fort itself but the temple at the summit. 344 steps hewn out of rock lead to the top where are the inscriptions dating back to the 3rd century B.C. Later drive to Madurai and on arrival, check-in at the hotel. Overnight stay.

Madurai Temple India

Day 16 - Madurai - Madras flight 1350/1445 hrs
Morning sightseeing tour of Madurai Madurai, known as Athens of the East, it is the second largest city on the banks of the River Vigai. The city believed to be more than 2500 yeras old. The city got its name from the drops of nectar (Mathuram) that fell from Shiva's locs when he came to bless its people for constructing a temple for him. Madurai where the people wake up at the chant of hymns is proud of magnificent 'The Meenakshi-Sundareswara Temple. Of its 12 gopurams, four of the tallest stand at the outer walls of the temple. The 48.8 m high southern gopuram is the most spectacular and have over 1500 sculptures. In the Ashta Shakti Mandapam inside the Meenakshi temple, the sculputed pillars tell the story of the beautiful princess of Madurai and her marriage to Lord Shiva. Afternoon at leisure.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 17 - Madurai - Madras
Transfer to the airport for flight to Madras.

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