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The Sun Temple Tour / East India
Tour |
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The Tour |
The Sun Temple |
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Duration:
12 Nights / 13 Days
Tour Circuit :
Delhi -
Jaipur - Khajuraho -
Varanasi -
Puri - Konarak -
Bhubaneshwar - Calcutta |
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The magnificent Sun Temple at Konark is the culmination of
Orissan temple architecture, and one of the most stunning
monuments of religious architecture in the world. Built by
the King Narasimhadeva in the thirteenth century, the
entire temple was designed in the shape of a colossal
chariot with seven horses and twelve wheels, carrying the
sun god, Surya, across the heavens. Surya has been a
popular deity in India since the Vedic period........
More about Sun Temple |
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Day 1. Arrive Delhi :
Arrive at New Delhi's International airport.
Welcome with garlands, then transfer to hotel where welcome drinks
await the group members. One Picture post card with postage stamp
to each group member with our compliment for the first mail home.
After lunch, leave for visit of New Delhi including visits to
Qutab Minar, Humayun`s Tomb, India Gate, Presidents`s House,The
Parliament & other government buildings, Lakshminarayan temple, &
Connaught Place ( the main commercial & Shopping centre of New
Delhi). Diner and overnight at hotel.
Day 2. Delhi / Jaipur: Morning visit Old Delhi including
visit to Raj Ghat, Shanti Vana, The Mosque, Red Fort & Chandni
Chowk ( the main commercial & Shop ping
centre of old Delhi). Return to hotel for an early lunch and then
leave by bus for Jaipur. On arrival check in at hotel Dinner &
overnight at hotel.
Day 3. Jaipur : After breakfast, leave for visit to Fort
Amber, the ancient capital of Rajasthan since 1728, where the
ascent to the top of the fort is on elephants & visit the temple
dedicated to Goddess Kali. Return to hotel for lunch. Afternoon
visit the `pink` city of Jaipur. Dinner & overnight at hotel.
Day 4. Jaipur/Agra via Fatehpur Sikri : After breakfast,
leave by bus for Agra, the city of the Taj Mahal enroute stopping
to visit Fatehpur Sikri with lunch enroute.
On arrival in Agra, check in at hotel.
In the evening magic show at hotel.
Dinner & overnight at hotel.
Day 5. Agra : Full day sight seeing of Agra including visit
to Taj Mahal, Tomb of Itmadud-Daula, Agra Fort & Sikandra, Dinner
& Overnight at hotel.
Day 6. Agra/Khajuraho (by flight): Early morning visit Taj
Mahal at sun rise. Return to hotel for breakfast, etc. Later in
the morning transfer to airport for flight to K hajuraho.
On arrival at Khajuraho, transfer to hotel. After Lunch proceed
for visits of the temples. Dinner &
Overnight at hotel.
Day 7. Khajuraho/Varanasi (by flight): Breakfast at hotel.
Later in the morning, transfer to airport for flight to Varanasi.
On arrival in Varanasi,transfer to hotel. After lunch, visit the
city of Benaras. Dinner & overnight at hotel.
Day 8. Varanasi/Puri (by train): Early morning, after
`morning tea`, transfer by bus to the `ghats` for a boat ride on
the holy river Ganges at sunrise. Return to hotel for breakfast,
etc. and then leave for visit to Sarnath. Return to hotel for
lunch. Evening free for independent activities, etc. In the
eveniing transfer to railway station for train `Nilanchal Express`
to Puri, departure at 20:05 hours.Overnight on board the train.
Day 9. Arrival Puri : Spend day on board the train. Arrival
Puri at 19:05 hours. Transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight.
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Day 10. In Puri : Morning leave for a visit
of the town: Puri is a hindu religious centre famous for the
massive chariot cars used in the annual `Rath Yatra` procession.
Puri is also a popular beach resort. Evening free to relax on the
beach. Dinner and overnight at hotel.
Day 11. Puri / Konarak / Bhubaneshwar : After breakfast,
leave for Bhubaneshwar by bus (about 62 kms away) enroute visiting
Konarak, famous for it's Sun Temple built symbolically like the
chariot of the sun. After an early lunch at Konarak, continue the
drive to Bhubaneshwar stopping enroute at the village of Pipli,
where applique handicrafts are made. Arrive Bhubaneshwar and check
in at hotel, after which commence sight seeing of the city.
Bhubaneshwar, the well planned capital of Orissa, ancient Kalinga,
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a city of temples. It had 7000 temples at one time of which about
500 remain today. These temples going back to over 1000 years
reflect the grandeur & high quality of workmanship of Kalinga
temple art. It was here that in 261 B.C., Emperor Ashoka, after
waging the bloodiest of wars, foreswore war for all time &
converted to Budhhism. Ashok then spread the Budhha's message in
India & abroad. It is also from here (and from South India) that
Indian art and culture was carried to Indonesia and the Malayan
Archipelago, where it survives to this day.
Visit Lingaraja temple( 9th c.) which dominates the landscape
rising to a height of 46 mts. It is the finest representation of
Kalinga art.
Mukteswar temple (10th c.) with its profusion of wall carvings.
Parasurameshwar temple (7th c.) famous for its latticed windows.
Rajarani temple (11th c.) with its exquisite carvings of the
feminine form.
Brahmeswar temple (11th c.) typical of the Orissan temple.
Return to hotel for dinner & overnight.
Day 12. Bhubaneshwar / Calcutta : Morning leave for an
excursion to the nearby caves at Udaigiri & Khandagiri (8 kms).
Going back to the 2nd c. B.C. they were the abode of Jain monks.
Transfer to airport for flight to Calcutta. On arrival in
Calcutta, transfer to hotel for overnight.
Day 13. Calcutta : Morning leave for half day city
tour including visit to Victoria Memorial, Indian Museum, Jain
Temple, Rabindra Sarobar and Marble Palace.
Afternoon free at your disposal for last minute shopping etc.
Farewell dinner and then transfer to the airport for flight back
to your destination. |
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