North India Trips

Day 08: Agra / Jhansi (Bhopal Shatabadi – 0811 / 1045 Hrs) Jhansi / Khajuraho (180 Kms) (03 Hrs Drive)

Morning, transfer to the train station for a short ride on India’s premier train service to Jhansi.

Meeting & assistance upon arrival at Jhansi train station & we will drive to Khajuraho

Upon arrival, check into your Hotel Radisson

After wash & change we proceed on a tour of Eastern group of Temples .If pictures speak a thousand words, then the temples of Khajuraho form a magnum opus... an expression of Indian sculptors of yore. These temples of Khajuraho were built by the Chandela kings following the tradition of Tantric art. Although famed for their erotic sculptures, the philosophy behind the temples is much more vast and encompassing. They are in fact a celebration of life!

Sound & Light Show: -
Evening, we visit temple complex to enjoy Sound & Light Show, where the history of the temples is narrated through the medium of Sound & Light. This fascinating Son-et-Lumiere spectacle evokes the life and times of the great Chandela Kings and traces the story of the unique temples from the 10th century to the present day. Amitabh Bachhan, the Indian Super Star, narrates the story of Khajuraho in his mesmerizing voice

Overnight at Hotel Radisson (Deluxe Room)

Day 09: Khajuraho / Varanasi (AI 405 – 1515 / 1610 Hrs.) (Operates only on Monday, Wednesday and Saturdays)

This morning, proceed on a tour of the world famous western group of temples depicting erotic sculptures of love making images of Gods and Goddesses and celestial Nymphs. The sexual fantasies displayed in the sculptures are mind-boggling. It speaks very highly of the artistic creativity and imagination of the sculptors. The frank depiction of uninhibited sex does hint towards a liberated society and times where people believed in dealing openly with all aspects of life. The graphic and realistic illustrated scenes of lovemaking elaborated on the Tantric texts

Later, transfer to the airport to board your flight to Varanasi

Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Varanasi and transfer to Rivatas by Ideal

Varanasi is quite possibly the world’s oldest living city. Religious artifacts link it to the sixth century B.C. Said to be founded by Shiva; Varanasi’s Vedic affiliation goes back to the beginning of time. It is also a city of many names. The present name, Varanasi (derived from the names of two nearby rivers) is mentioned in the Mahabharata. The ancient name is Kashi, the City of Light. To the devout it is also called Kashika, the shining one, referring to the light of Shiva. Many others prefer the anglicized Benares. Revered by Hindus, Buddhists and Jain alike, Varanasi is considered the holiest city in all of India. It is presided over by Shiva in his manifestation as Vishwanatha, Lord of the Universe. Buddha delivered a sermon in nearby Sarnath and Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, lived in Varanasi. As a result, more Indians will make a pilgrimage to Varanasi in their lifetime than any other place.

Evening, we visit the ghats of Varanasi to witness the performance of Ganges Aarti. We enjoy a special evening cruise on the Ganges. See the Hindu devotees performing the "Puja" with lighted lamps. The view is very mesmerizing and the ambience is spectacular in the backdrop of the beating of cymbals and bells as well as the incessant chantings.

Overnight at Rivatas by Ideal (Deluxe Room)

Day 10: Varanasi (Sarnath Museum is closed on Fridays)

At dawn we visit the sacred Ganges for a boat ride. Every morning at dawn hundreds of worshippers can be seen bathing in the sacred waters. The great river banks are lined with an endless chain of stone steps—the ghats—that stretch from one end of the city to the other. The Ghats form an impressive part of the religious landscape of the city. Proceeding downstream at a leisurely pace, you would be pointed out the significant temples and buildings as well as the changing architectural style. Life and death go hand in hand in Varanasi. While young people seek prosperity and protection from harmful influences, the older generation comes to Varanasi to cleanse their souls in the forgiving waters in preparation for their ultimate dissolution. Believing that anyone who dies in the river of life in Varanasi gains freedom from the cycle of birth and death, the City of Light has become a haven for the sick and aged waiting out their final days. The smoke that billows from the crematoriums on the edge of the river gives testimony to their final release from life’s earthly confines. We would dock our boat at Manikarnika (Cremation) Ghat. On any given day, anywhere from a few dozen to a few hundred corpses are cremated here; the ghat is assiduous with activity as the cremated bodies threw up smoke and fire.

Following the boat ride we set off on foot to explore the inner city. Through a twisted maze of narrow alleys, home to numerous shrines and pilgrim shops, we walk back a few centuries. Life here has stood still for years. The homes, the shops and even the cattle have not changed over the centuries. It is a brilliant nostalgic experience of timelessness!

Afternoon, we will visit several temples and the Hindu University at Benares. First stop would be the Bharat Mata (temple of Mother India). Inaugurated by Mahatma Gandhi, it features a huge marble map of India on the ground floor. Next up, the Durga Temple. Known for its bright red color and the playful, if sometimes aggressive, monkeys that run amok there, the Durga Temple is one of the most imposing architectural monuments in Varanasi.

The university, which occupies a large piece of land at the southern end of town, is also home to the New Vishwanatha Temple. The New Temple is modern in design and open to Hindus and non-Hindus alike. Surrounded by palm trees, it is a splendid white marble structure that shines in the afternoon sun against a pale blue sky. Inside, the temple is spacious and airy. The interior walls are covered with Vedic art above inscriptions from the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads. In the center of the first floor is the Shiva linga.

Next, we will visit a Widows Ashram where we will have a different view of life, and how it can be so unfair to some. Since Varanasi is a religious city many Widow Ashrams are constructed by people who want to make charity, NGOs and government to give shelter to dying, helpless and old widows. Reason of such a big number of Widow Ashrams is also that widows are abandoned in Varanasi to die as it is believed that one who dies in Varanasi gets salvation. What will surprise you after meeting these widows is that they are not all from poor families. Some of them are from good middle class families who have been sent to Varanasi because of social beliefs related to the death of a women’s husband. The widows here have been rehabilitated, and are offered training in various crafts and skills. Hence, they have a feeling of worth and all is not lost.

We will also visit the Matri Bhawan. This is the place where people arrive to die. People often take the “last train to Varanasi”. When people are old, sick or about to die, they arrive on their last leg on a train to Varanasi. Here, there are volunteers and NGOs who collect them at the station, and , bring them to places as Matri Bhawan. Matri means “Mother” and, Bhawan means “Home”. The old arrive at their Mother’s Home awaiting acceptance to paradise. This should be a unique aspect to your India tour.

This evening we take a short trip to the Buddhist city of Sarnath .It is here that the Buddha preached his first sermons after attaining enlightenment.

Overnight at Hotel Rivatas By Ideal (Deluxe Room)

Day 11: Varanasi / Delhi (UK 813 – 1520 / 1650 Hrs)

Morning is at leisure for independent activities. You might choose to visit the banks of the Ganges or walk along the narrow meandering lanes of the old city to witness the performance of various rituals.

Afternoon, transfer to the airport to connect your flight to Delhi

Meeting and assistance upon arrival in Delhi & transfer to Hotel Jaypee Siddharth

Overnight at Jaypee Siddharth (Deluxe Room)

Day 12: Delhi / Departure

Transfer to the International airport to board your flight to back home