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Classifieds: Travel | | Mughal and Hindu Architecture Tour of In | | Posted By: Concept Voyages at: 7, Jun 2011 11:36:55 AM IST | Day 1 Delhi: Meet and greet on arrival in Delhi by Concept Voyages'' representative and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2 Delhi sightseeing tour: Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for a full day city tour of New Delhi, Starting with Qutub Minar - 72.5 metres high (237.8 ft) and can be conquered after a gruesome climb of 399 steps straight up. It all started with Qutb-ud-din Aybak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, trying to outdo the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan . The mammoth work of architectural brilliance that kissed the sky was finished in 1193. Old Fort- also known as Purana Quila, built in 16th century on the lines of Mughal-Hindu-Afghan Architecture, built in Red Sandstone, in octagonal shape extended on 2.41 km and 33.5 m in Height. This Fort is believed to have been standing on the ancient site of Indraprasta (The Capital Town of Pandavas). Humayun''s Tomb - built by the emperor''s grieving widow, Haji Begum, in 1565 AD. Constructed with red sandstone and ornamented marks the beginning of a new tradition of ornate style, which culminated in the Taj Mahal of Agra, Red Fort - or Lal Quila - It is called so because of the red stone with which it is built, the Red Fort is one of the most magnificent palaces in the world, India Gate - built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers killed in World War I, it is 160 feet high with an arch of 138 feet. Built from sandstone, the arch also houses the Eternal Flame, a gesture in memory of the Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the 1971 war, Presidents House and Connaught Place shopping centre of New Delhi. For those who wish to witness the history of Indian capital, we recommend the Sound and Light show at Red Fort in the evening. We may also suggest a sumptuous dinner at Al Karims restaurant near Jama Masjid. The owners of Al Karims restaurants are the direct descendents of the personal chef of the first Mughal emperor in India – Mohammed Babar. Overnight stay in hotel. (Note: Delhi sightseeing places are closed for public on Mondays)
Day 3 Delhi-Agra (203 kms/4 hrs): After breakfast proceed for Agra. Check in the designated hotel. Visit to the famous Taj Mahal - Sheer poetry in marble. Majesty and magnificence, unrivalled. The monumental labour of love of a great ruler for his beloved queen. The ultimate realization of Emperor Shah Jehan''s dream. After that visit the Agra Fort - The tall fortified walls protect the remains of age-old Moghul architectural brilliance that transcends you into a whimsical land. The fort encompasses many wondrous palaces, capacious audience halls, and two spectacular mosques. As per research and other documentation the Fort housed about 5000 buildings that were ingeniously built in Bengali and Gujarati style architecture and Bazaars. Overnight stay in hotel. (Note: Taj Mahal is closed for public on Fridays)
Day 4 Agra-Gwalior-(203 kms/4 hrs): After breakfast, checkout from hotel and drive to Gwalior. Upon arrival at Gwalior, check into hotel for freshening up. Evening visit Sound & light show at Gwalior Fort. The Gwalior Fort- Standing on a steep mass of sandstone, Gwalior Fort dominates the city and is its most magnificent monument. It has been a scene of momentous events: imprisonments, battles and jauhars. The magnificent outer walls of the Fort still stand, two miles in length and 35 feet high, bearing witness to its reputation for being one of the most invincible forts of India. This imposing structure inspired Emperor Babar to describe it ''the pearl amongst the fortresses of Hind.'' Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 5 Gwalior sightseeing: After breakfast, depart for a full day sightseeing tour of Gwalior. The entire city is a visual and aesthetic feast, for the builders of Gwalior were great architects. Take a walk through the streets of the city and you will discover old havelis with exquisitely carved doorways and windows; at almost every street crossing you will find statues of the Scindia family. You can visit the mighty Gwalior fort during the day. Also built by Raja Mansingh is the Man Mandir Palace, built between 1486 and 1517. The tiles that once adorned its exterior have not survived, but at the entrance, traces of these still remain. There is a charming frieze here of ducks paddling in turquoise waters. Though the major portions of the Fort were built in the 15th century, references to this gigantic complex can be traced back to 425 AD. Older than the city is the Suraj Kund within the Fort walls, the original pond where Suraj Sen, or Suraj Pal as he was later known, was cured by the Saint Gwalipa. The Teli ka Mandir is a 9th century edifice, towering at 100 ft high. This is a Pratihara Vishnu temple of a unique blending of architectural styles. The shape of the roof is distinctively Dravidian, while the decorative embellishments have the typically Indo-Aryan characteristics of Northern India. Also dedicated to Vishnu is the graceful little Sas-Bahu-ka-Mandir, built in 11th century. Another landmark is the historic Gurudwara Data Bandhi Chhod built in the memory of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the 6th Sikh Guru who was imprisoned here by Jehangir for over two years. At the time of his release, he wanted 52 Hindu kings who were his fellow prisoners, released with him. Jehangir was very impressed with the Guru and agreed to his condition. Jai Vilas Palace-A splendour of a different kind exists in the Jai Vilas Palace, current residence of the Scindia family. Some 35 rooms have been made into the Scindia Museum, and in these rooms, so evocative of a regal lifestyle, the past comes alive. Jai Vilas is an Italianate structure which combines the Tuscan and Corinthian architectural modes. The imposing Darbar Hall has two central chandeliers, weighing a couple of tonnes, and hung only after ten elephants had tested the strength of the roof. The father of Hindustani classical music, the great Tansen, one of the ''nine Jewels'' of Akbar''s court, lies buried in Gwalior. The memorial to this great musician has a pristine simplicity about it, and is built in the early Mughal architectural style. More than a monument, the Tansen''s Tomb is part of Gwalior''s living cultural heritage. More opulent than Tansen''s Tomb, is the sandstone mausoleum of the Afghan prince, Ghous Mohammed, also designed on early Mughal lines. Particularly, exquisite are the screens which use the pierced stone technique, as delicate as lace. The earliest freedom fighters, Tatya Tope and the indomitable Rani of Jhansi, are commemorated in memorials in Gwalior. There are cenotaphs at major public crossings, memorials to Scindia kings and queens. Return back to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 6 Gwalior to Orchha (85 kms/ 2 hrs): After an early breakfast drive to Orchha. Orchha''s grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy to the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection. Jehangir Mahal-Built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Raj Mahal-Situated to the right of the quadrangle, this palace was built in the 17th century by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo. Rai Parveen Mahal-Poetess and musician, Rai Parveen was the beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani (1672- 76) and was sent to Delhi on the orders of the Emperor Akbar, who was captivated by her. She so impressed the Great Mughal with the purity of her love for Indramani that he sent her back to Orchha. The palace built for her is a low, two-storeyed brick structure designed to match the height of the trees in the surrounding, beautifully landscaped gardens of Anand Mahal, with its octagonal flower beds and elaborate water supply system. Skillfully carved niches allow light into the Mahal which has a main hall and smaller chambers. Chaturbhuj Temple-Built upon a massive stone platform and reached by a steep flight of steps, the temple was specially constructed to enshrine the image of Rama that remained in the Ram Raja Temple. Laxminarayan Temple-A flagstone path links this temple with the Ram Raja Temple. The style is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple moulds. The interiors contain the most exquisite of Orchha''s wall paintings. Overnight stay at Orchha.
Day 7 Orchha-Khajuraho (180 kms / 4 hrs): Breakfast at resort. Later, checkout and drive to Khajuraho. Check into hotel. In the temple architecture of India, the Khajuraho complex remains unique. One thousand years ago, under the generous and artistic patronage of the Chandela Rajput kings of Central India, 85 temples, magnificent in form and richly carved, came up on one site, near the village of Khajuraho. The amazingly short span of 100 years, from 950 AD - 1050 AD, saw the completion of all the temples, in an inspired burst of creativity. Today, of the original 85, only 22 have survived the ravages of time; these remain as a collective paean to life, to joy and to creativity; to the ultimate fusion of man with his creator. Evening enjoy Sound and light show at Khajuraho Temples. This fascinating Son-et-Lumière 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. Mounted in the complex of the Western Group of temples, the 50-minute show runs in Hindi and in English every evening. Amitabh Bachchan, the Indian movie star, narrates the story of Khajuraho in his mesmerizing voice. English show timings of Sound & Light Show at Western group of temples is at: 06:30 pm to 07:25 pm. Return back to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 8 Khajuraho: After breakfast visit Khajuraho temples during day to admire the erotic sculptures. The creators of Khajuraho claimed descent from the moon. The legend that describes the origin of this great dynasty is a fascinating one: Hemavati, the beautiful young daughter of a Brahmin priest was seduced by the moon god while bathing in the Rati one evening. The child born of this union between a mortal and a God was a son, Chandravarman. Harassed by society, the unwed mother sought refuge in the dense forest of Central India where she was both mother and guru to her young son. The boy grew up to found the great Chandela dynasty. When he was established as a ruler, he had a dream-visitation from his mother, who implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so bring about a realization of the emptiness of human desire. Chandravarman began the construction of the first of the temples, successive rulers added to the fast growing complex. Khajuraho or Khajirvahila - garden of dates, as it was known then - as the site for their stupendous creations. Even in those days it was no more than a small village. It is possible given the eclectic patronage of the Chandelas and the wide variety of beliefs represented in the temples, that they had the concept of forming a seat of religion and learning at Khajuraho. It is possible that the Chandelas were also believers in the powers of Tantrism; the cult which believes that the gratification of earthly desires is a step closer to the attainment of the infinite. It is certain however, that the temples represent the expression of a highly matured civilization. Yet another theory is that the erotica of Khajuraho, and indeed of other temples, had a specific purpose. In those days when boys lived in hermitages, following the Hindu law of being ''brahmacharis'' until they attained manhood, the only way they could prepare themselves for the worldly role of ''householder'' was through the study of these sculptures and the earthly passions they depicted. Afternoon visit the State Museum of Tribal and Folk Art. A fine collection of masterpieces of tribal and folk art and artifacts from all over Madhya Pradesh is on display at the Chandela Cultural Complex. The tradition of tribal and folk arts and crafts has evolved over centuries. It represents the best of Indian culture and tradition and its synthesis with foreign cultures that came through trade and invasions. The State Museum has more than 500 representative items of terracotta, metal craft, woodcraft, tribal and folk paintings, tattoos, jewellery and masks. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 9 Khajuraho departure: After breakfast free day at leisure for completing the sightseeing and shopping at Khajuraho. Checkout and transfer to Khajuraho airport for boarding flight home.
End of tour!
Package cost: Rs. 47,125/- per couple
Package cost includes:
§ Total 8 nights / 9 days stay at following places:
o 2 night stay at Hotel Grand President / Regent Continental Hotel (3 star) at New Delhi
o 1 night stay at Howard Park Plaza (3 star) at Agra
o 2 nights stay in Tansen Residency (3 star) at Gwalior
o 1 night stay at Orchha Resort (3 star) at Orchha
o 2 nights stay in Ramada Hotel / Usha Bundela (3 star) at Khajuraho
§ Daily breakfast during stay at hotel
§ All transfers, sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary in exclusive chauffeur driven A/c Indica Car for 1 to 3 persons, A/c Innova car for 4 to 6 persons travelling together for all packages.
All taxes
Package cost excludes: Airfare, train fare, entrance fee & camera fee at sightseeing places, guide assistance, high season surcharges during conference and trade fair period (will be advised at the time of booking if any), meals other than specified, optional excursions taken at the destination, personal expenses and any other services not included in the above clause “Package cost includes”.
Valid till 30-Sep 2011
Day 1 Delhi: Meet and greet on arrival in Delhi by Concept Voyages'' representative and transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 2 Delhi sightseeing tour: Breakfast at hotel. Proceed for a full day city tour of New Delhi, Starting with Qutub Minar - 72.5 metres high (237.8 ft) and can be conquered after a gruesome climb of 399 steps straight up. It all started with Qutb-ud-din Aybak, the first Muslim ruler of Delhi, trying to outdo the Minaret of Jam in Afghanistan . The mammoth work of architectural brilliance that kissed the sky was finished in 1193. Old Fort- also known as Purana Quila, built in 16th century on the lines of Mughal-Hindu-Afghan Architecture, built in Red Sandstone, in octagonal shape extended on 2.41 km and 33.5 m in Height. This Fort is believed to have been standing on the ancient site of Indraprasta (The Capital Town of Pandavas). Humayun''s Tomb - built by the emperor''s grieving widow, Haji Begum, in 1565 AD. Constructed with red sandstone and ornamented marks the beginning of a new tradition of ornate style, which culminated in the Taj Mahal of Agra, Red Fort - or Lal Quila - It is called so because of the red stone with which it is built, the Red Fort is one of the most magnificent palaces in the world, India Gate - built as a memorial to commemorate the 70,000 India soldiers killed in World War I, it is 160 feet high with an arch of 138 feet. Built from sandstone, the arch also houses the Eternal Flame, a gesture in memory of the Indian soldiers who laid their lives in the 1971 war, Presidents House and Connaught Place shopping centre of New Delhi. For those who wish to witness the history of Indian capital, we recommend the Sound and Light show at Red Fort in the evening. We may also suggest a sumptuous dinner at Al Karims restaurant near Jama Masjid. The owners of Al Karims restaurants are the direct descendents of the personal chef of the first Mughal emperor in India – Mohammed Babar. Overnight stay in hotel. (Note: Delhi sightseeing places are closed for public on Mondays)
Day 3 Delhi-Agra (203 kms/4 hrs): After breakfast proceed for Agra. Check in the designated hotel. Visit to the famous Taj Mahal - Sheer poetry in marble. Majesty and magnificence, unrivalled. The monumental labour of love of a great ruler for his beloved queen. The ultimate realization of Emperor Shah Jehan''s dream. After that visit the Agra Fort - The tall fortified walls protect the remains of age-old Moghul architectural brilliance that transcends you into a whimsical land. The fort encompasses many wondrous palaces, capacious audience halls, and two spectacular mosques. As per research and other documentation the Fort housed about 5000 buildings that were ingeniously built in Bengali and Gujarati style architecture and Bazaars. Overnight stay in hotel. (Note: Taj Mahal is closed for public on Fridays)
Day 4 Agra-Gwalior-(203 kms/4 hrs): After breakfast, checkout from hotel and drive to Gwalior. Upon arrival at Gwalior, check into hotel for freshening up. Evening visit Sound & light show at Gwalior Fort. The Gwalior Fort- Standing on a steep mass of sandstone, Gwalior Fort dominates the city and is its most magnificent monument. It has been a scene of momentous events: imprisonments, battles and jauhars. The magnificent outer walls of the Fort still stand, two miles in length and 35 feet high, bearing witness to its reputation for being one of the most invincible forts of India. This imposing structure inspired Emperor Babar to describe it ''the pearl amongst the fortresses of Hind.'' Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 5 Gwalior sightseeing: After breakfast, depart for a full day sightseeing tour of Gwalior. The entire city is a visual and aesthetic feast, for the builders of Gwalior were great architects. Take a walk through the streets of the city and you will discover old havelis with exquisitely carved doorways and windows; at almost every street crossing you will find statues of the Scindia family. You can visit the mighty Gwalior fort during the day. Also built by Raja Mansingh is the Man Mandir Palace, built between 1486 and 1517. The tiles that once adorned its exterior have not survived, but at the entrance, traces of these still remain. There is a charming frieze here of ducks paddling in turquoise waters. Though the major portions of the Fort were built in the 15th century, references to this gigantic complex can be traced back to 425 AD. Older than the city is the Suraj Kund within the Fort walls, the original pond where Suraj Sen, or Suraj Pal as he was later known, was cured by the Saint Gwalipa. The Teli ka Mandir is a 9th century edifice, towering at 100 ft high. This is a Pratihara Vishnu temple of a unique blending of architectural styles. The shape of the roof is distinctively Dravidian, while the decorative embellishments have the typically Indo-Aryan characteristics of Northern India. Also dedicated to Vishnu is the graceful little Sas-Bahu-ka-Mandir, built in 11th century. Another landmark is the historic Gurudwara Data Bandhi Chhod built in the memory of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the 6th Sikh Guru who was imprisoned here by Jehangir for over two years. At the time of his release, he wanted 52 Hindu kings who were his fellow prisoners, released with him. Jehangir was very impressed with the Guru and agreed to his condition. Jai Vilas Palace-A splendour of a different kind exists in the Jai Vilas Palace, current residence of the Scindia family. Some 35 rooms have been made into the Scindia Museum, and in these rooms, so evocative of a regal lifestyle, the past comes alive. Jai Vilas is an Italianate structure which combines the Tuscan and Corinthian architectural modes. The imposing Darbar Hall has two central chandeliers, weighing a couple of tonnes, and hung only after ten elephants had tested the strength of the roof. The father of Hindustani classical music, the great Tansen, one of the ''nine Jewels'' of Akbar''s court, lies buried in Gwalior. The memorial to this great musician has a pristine simplicity about it, and is built in the early Mughal architectural style. More than a monument, the Tansen''s Tomb is part of Gwalior''s living cultural heritage. More opulent than Tansen''s Tomb, is the sandstone mausoleum of the Afghan prince, Ghous Mohammed, also designed on early Mughal lines. Particularly, exquisite are the screens which use the pierced stone technique, as delicate as lace. The earliest freedom fighters, Tatya Tope and the indomitable Rani of Jhansi, are commemorated in memorials in Gwalior. There are cenotaphs at major public crossings, memorials to Scindia kings and queens. Return back to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 6 Gwalior to Orchha (85 kms/ 2 hrs): After an early breakfast drive to Orchha. Orchha''s grandeur has been captured in stone, frozen in time, a rich legacy to the ages. In this medieval city, the hand of time has rested lightly and the palaces and temples built by its Bundela rulers in the 16th and 17th centuries retain much of their pristine perfection. Jehangir Mahal-Built by Raja Bir Singh Ju Deo in the 17th century to commemorate the visit of Emperor Jehangir to Orchha. Raj Mahal-Situated to the right of the quadrangle, this palace was built in the 17th century by Madhukar Shah, the deeply religious predecessor of Bir Singh Ju Deo. Rai Parveen Mahal-Poetess and musician, Rai Parveen was the beautiful paramour of Raja Indramani (1672- 76) and was sent to Delhi on the orders of the Emperor Akbar, who was captivated by her. She so impressed the Great Mughal with the purity of her love for Indramani that he sent her back to Orchha. The palace built for her is a low, two-storeyed brick structure designed to match the height of the trees in the surrounding, beautifully landscaped gardens of Anand Mahal, with its octagonal flower beds and elaborate water supply system. Skillfully carved niches allow light into the Mahal which has a main hall and smaller chambers. Chaturbhuj Temple-Built upon a massive stone platform and reached by a steep flight of steps, the temple was specially constructed to enshrine the image of Rama that remained in the Ram Raja Temple. Laxminarayan Temple-A flagstone path links this temple with the Ram Raja Temple. The style is an interesting synthesis of fort and temple moulds. The interiors contain the most exquisite of Orchha''s wall paintings. Overnight stay at Orchha.
Day 7 Orchha-Khajuraho (180 kms / 4 hrs): Breakfast at resort. Later, checkout and drive to Khajuraho. Check into hotel. In the temple architecture of India, the Khajuraho complex remains unique. One thousand years ago, under the generous and artistic patronage of the Chandela Rajput kings of Central India, 85 temples, magnificent in form and richly carved, came up on one site, near the village of Khajuraho. The amazingly short span of 100 years, from 950 AD - 1050 AD, saw the completion of all the temples, in an inspired burst of creativity. Today, of the original 85, only 22 have survived the ravages of time; these remain as a collective paean to life, to joy and to creativity; to the ultimate fusion of man with his creator. Evening enjoy Sound and light show at Khajuraho Temples. This fascinating Son-et-Lumière 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. Mounted in the complex of the Western Group of temples, the 50-minute show runs in Hindi and in English every evening. Amitabh Bachchan, the Indian movie star, narrates the story of Khajuraho in his mesmerizing voice. English show timings of Sound & Light Show at Western group of temples is at: 06:30 pm to 07:25 pm. Return back to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 8 Khajuraho: After breakfast visit Khajuraho temples during day to admire the erotic sculptures. The creators of Khajuraho claimed descent from the moon. The legend that describes the origin of this great dynasty is a fascinating one: Hemavati, the beautiful young daughter of a Brahmin priest was seduced by the moon god while bathing in the Rati one evening. The child born of this union between a mortal and a God was a son, Chandravarman. Harassed by society, the unwed mother sought refuge in the dense forest of Central India where she was both mother and guru to her young son. The boy grew up to found the great Chandela dynasty. When he was established as a ruler, he had a dream-visitation from his mother, who implored him to build temples that would reveal human passions, and in doing so bring about a realization of the emptiness of human desire. Chandravarman began the construction of the first of the temples, successive rulers added to the fast growing complex. Khajuraho or Khajirvahila - garden of dates, as it was known then - as the site for their stupendous creations. Even in those days it was no more than a small village. It is possible given the eclectic patronage of the Chandelas and the wide variety of beliefs represented in the temples, that they had the concept of forming a seat of religion and learning at Khajuraho. It is possible that the Chandelas were also believers in the powers of Tantrism; the cult which believes that the gratification of earthly desires is a step closer to the attainment of the infinite. It is certain however, that the temples represent the expression of a highly matured civilization. Yet another theory is that the erotica of Khajuraho, and indeed of other temples, had a specific purpose. In those days when boys lived in hermitages, following the Hindu law of being ''brahmacharis'' until they attained manhood, the only way they could prepare themselves for the worldly role of ''householder'' was through the study of these sculptures and the earthly passions they depicted. Afternoon visit the State Museum of Tribal and Folk Art. A fine collection of masterpieces of tribal and folk art and artifacts from all over Madhya Pradesh is on display at the Chandela Cultural Complex. The tradition of tribal and folk arts and crafts has evolved over centuries. It represents the best of Indian culture and tradition and its synthesis with foreign cultures that came through trade and invasions. The State Museum has more than 500 representative items of terracotta, metal craft, woodcraft, tribal and folk paintings, tattoos, jewellery and masks. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 9 Khajuraho departure: After breakfast free day at leisure for completing the sightseeing and shopping at Khajuraho. Checkout and transfer to Khajuraho airport for boarding flight home.
End of tour!
Package cost: Rs. 47,125/- per couple
Package cost includes:
§ Total 8 nights / 9 days stay at following places:
o 2 night stay at Hotel Grand President / Regent Continental Hotel (3 star) at New Delhi
o 1 night stay at Howard Park Plaza (3 star) at Agra
o 2 nights stay in Tansen Residency (3 star) at Gwalior
o 1 night stay at Orchha Resort (3 star) at Orchha
o 2 nights stay in Ramada Hotel / Usha Bundela (3 star) at Khajuraho
§ Daily breakfast during stay at hotel
§ All transfers, sightseeing and excursions as per the itinerary in exclusive chauffeur driven A/c Indica Car for 1 to 3 persons, A/c Innova car for 4 to 6 persons travelling together for all packages.
All taxes
Package cost excludes: Airfare, train fare, entrance fee & camera fee at sightseeing places, guide assistance, high season surcharges during conference and trade fair period (will be advised at the time of booking if any), meals other than specified, optional excursions taken at the destination, personal expenses and any other services not included in the above clause “Package cost includes”.
Valid till 30-Sep 2011
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