After breakfast we will participate in an AGNIHOTRA fire ritual---“It is a healing FIRE from the ancient science of Ayurveda, a process of purifying the atmosphere through a specially prepared FIRE,  the benefits are many,  reduces stress, improves overall health and gives one increased energy”.  

Upon completion of the ritual we will proceed to visit the beautiful AKSHARDHAM TEMPLE, this temple complex displays millennia of Indian tradition and modern Hindu culture, spirituality, and architecture, spread over a hundred acres and entirely constructed from pink stone from Rajasthan and marble from Italy. It is intricately carved with flora and fauna, dancers, musicians and deities, numbering 20,000 and 234 intricately carved columns.

After lunch we will visit the famous SIKH TEMPLE known as SHRI BANGALA SAHIB. It is associated with the eight SIKH GURU, GURU HAR KRISHAN.  The complex includes a large holy pond and a kitchen or langar hall. Almost 10000 people regardless of race or religion come to eat at the langar. 

We end our tour with a visit to the Kashmir House to see how the process of hand knotted carpets is done on a loom. 

Overnight in Delhi at Taj by Vivanta Hotel. (DLD)

Today we travel to Varanasi. 

The spiritual capital of India dating back to the 11th century BC. A sacred place where Hindu pilgrims bathe in the sacred waters of the river Ganges. Here too, funeral rites are performed.  As we stroll along the winding streets we will see that there are more than 2000 temples including the Kashi Vishwanath “THE GOLDEN TEMPLE”. Dedicated to the Hindu God “SHIVA''. Varanasi or Kashi or Banaras as it is fondly called is known throughout India for the production of very fine silk, brocade and sarees. It is also known for its essential herbal oils and perfumes. 

Upon arrival we check- in, relax and have lunch. 

After lunch we visit “SARNATH”, which is among the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations in the world. It is the place where Buddha gave his first sermon in a deer park. The site, apart from many ruins, contains a huge Stupa and a Lion Capital, which dates back to the 3rd century BC. It was constructed by Mauryan Emperor Ashoka. This Lion capital is now the National Emblem of India, the stupa known as DHAMEK STUPA is 143 feet in height and around 90 feet in diameter. After visiting the Stupa we will visit a Buddhist Temple. 

In the early evening we will experience the “GANGA AARTI '', a very powerful and uplifting spiritual ritual that uses FIRE as an offering. It's usually made in the form of a lit lamp. The offering is made to “Goddess Ganga'', affectionately referred to as''Mother ``. The ritual is carried out facing the river. Lamps are lit and circled by “Pundits”. Hindu priests move in a clockwise manner accompanied by chanting Mantras in praise of Mother Ganga. 

After the ceremony we walk through the crowded streets and visit a traditional Brahmin family who for many generations have made natural essential oils from plants and flowers. 

Overnight in Varanasi at the Radisson Hotel (BLD) 

Early in the morning we take a cruise to experience sunrise on the river Ganga. At this time its banks are alive with the multitude of worshipers who come to immerse themselves honoring life’s milestones as they face the rising Sun. This form of worship is better known as “Surya Namaskar'' which translates into paying homage to Sun God. 

Next, an hour long trip from Dashashwamedh Ghat to Harishchandra Ghat. Be prepared to see people performing rituals, worshiping the Sun, taking baths, washing clothes, doing yoga and you may even see a burning corpse. We will of course perform our own ritual and experience a group meditation. 

Now we are ready for breakfast, mid morning we visit Mother India Temple. The uniqueness of this Temple is that instead of statues of Gods and Goddesses, this Temple has a huge map of undivided India carved in marble. This Temple is dedicated to Bharat Mata (Mother India) and claims to be the only one in the World. 

Later we visit the main craft of Varanasi which is silk weaving. Weaving is typically done within the household and most weavers in Varanasi are known as Ansari, which means “helper’ in Arabic.  For generations they have passed on this craft from father to son, hand weaving silk on room-sized, foot powered looms. They are fashioned into sarees worn only for special occasions. Many Indian girls dream of wearing Varanasi silk saree for their wedding day. The embroidery on some sarees is done with gold threads. Apart from sarees they have different silk textiles.  

Return to our hotel, dinner and overnight.  Radisson Hotel (BLD)

Image by Manuel Menal

We depart Varanasi for the beautiful Temple town, Khajuraho. 

This is a city famous for Temples dating back to 885AD built by CHANDELA Dynasty. Historical records show that there were 85 Temples built and spread over 20 square kilometers. Of these, only 25 Temples survive. The Temples have rich displays of intricately carved statues. While they are famous for their erotic sculpture, sexual themes cover less than 10 percent. The arts cover numerous aspects of life and values considered important in Hindu Pantheon. These Temples are divided into two groups namely Western and Eastern groups of Temples.

After lunch, we will visit the Western Group of Temples. 

Among them, the KANDARIYA MAHADEV Temple is the largest and most ornate. It is considered one of the best examples of Temples preserved from the medieval period in India. The Temple rises to a height of 102 feet and is compared to a cosmic design of the Hexagon (Yantra) representing the three forms of Lord Shiva. 

Overnight at our Hotel Radisson Jas (BLD) 

Image by China Crisis

Today early check-out and visit the Eastern group of Temples built by prominent Jain communities. 

The Jains lived in the eastern side of the town. All the Jain Temples are now enclosed within a modern compound wall constructed in the 19th century when the restoration of the Temples was initiated. 

The key difference between the Jain and Hindu Temples is that the Jain Temples are alive and active with praying and worship. The Jain monks still visit from time to time and can be seen meditating, preaching or studying. 

Next we travel to ORCHHA to board our train to Agra. 

Overnight at our Hotel Trident (BLD) 

Image by Marcin Białek

 The city has ancient Hindu origins and stands on the bank of the river Jumna. It was discovered in 1505 by the pre-Mughal Sultan of Delhi, Sikander Lodi. In 1565 Akbar the Mughal King defeated Sikander and re-constructed it on a larger plan, at this point known as Akbarabad. The city became the imperial capital and it continued until Shah Jahan the 5th Mughal King moved it back to Delhi in 1648. Agra gained its prominence during the rule of Shah Jahan after he constructed the Taj Mahal, a mausoleum for his wife who died during childbirth.

TAJ MAHAL ----  Standing on the right bank of the river Jumna is rightly regarded as one of the wonders of the World. It is synonymous not only with India but known the world over. Many poets in India compare the beautiful monuments as a song written in stone and the Taj as a poem composed in white marble. To immortalize his passionate devotion to his bereaved consort and to build over her grave a mausoleum of matchless beauty, Shah Jahan summoned expert architects not only from India, but from far off countries such as Turkey, Persia and Arabia. Twenty thousand people were involved in the construction of this matchless beauty. Today, the main industry in Agra is based on marble carving, exported all over the World. 

The Taj Mahal is widely recognized as "The jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage".

Today we visit the beautiful Taj Mahal and experience its sacred energy and its connection to the Divine Mother as we experience a sacred vortex within the Taj Mahal. We will visit to see the marble in-lay work mostly done by families whose ancestors were from the time of Shah Jahan. Later just before sunset we will experience the view of the Taj Mahal from across the river. The loveliness of the Taj stems from several factors. The charming site of the vital river bend on which it stands contributes so much to the pleasing effect of the landscape, viewed from the garden. The white marble façade of the Taj stands out against the ever uninterrupted and natural background provided by the skyline. This background is ever changing its colors, moods and textures. Hence, the Taj is always seen in ever- changing and against an ever new background. 

Overnight in Agra at our Hotel Trident (BLD) 

Image by Joel Godwin

Early morning travel to the state of Rajasthan, Jaipur. 

We will be stopping en-route to visit the famous stepwell CHAND BAORI & HARSHAD MATA TEMPLE, set in a small village ABHANARI. 

This stepwell was built over a 1000 years ago. It is a deep four sided well. The basic architectural aspects of the monumental of the well consists of a long corridor of narrow steps. 3500 of them descend to about 100 feet into the ground making it one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India. The Mata Temple stands near the stepwell surrounded by ruins which can also be seen around the well.  It is a living Temple where locals come to worship. 

After the temple visit we continue our journey to Jaipur.  

Overnight in Jaipur Hotel ITC Rajputana (BLD)

Image by Tapesh Purohit

Jaipur was planned based on the principles of Vastu Shastra and Shilpa Shastra, literally meaning the science of arts and crafts. It is an ancient umbrella term for numerous Hindu Texts that describe arts, crafts and design rules, principles and standards. The city was divided into nine blocks. Huge ramparts were built, pierced by seven fortified gates. 

During the rule of Sawai Ram Singh in 1876, the city was painted in pink to welcome King Edward V11.  Since then the city came to be called the Pink City of India. The gated city is still painted in pink. 

Jaipur is fueled by tourism, gemstone cutting, the manufacture of jewelry and luxury textiles and information technology.

We visit the Galtaji Temple, a series of Temples built into a narrow crevice in the ring of hills that surrounds Jaipur. A natural spring emerges high on the hill and flows downwards, filling a series of sacred water tanks in which the devotees bathe. 

It is believed that a Saint named Galav lived here, practiced meditation, and did penance. 

Later we tour the Pink City and visit a few more Temples, watch the locals performing rituals and participating as well. 

We will visit the center to watch the cutting and polishing of gemstones and  block printing on textiles.  

Later you will be visiting the Birla Temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi. 

Overnight at our Hotel ITC Rajputana (BLD)

Image by Arjuncm3