North India -Temple tour

Tour Destination: Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Delhi - Mathura - Vrindavan - Agra - Orchha - Khajuraho - Varanasi - Sarnath - Varanasi

Travel Duration: 11 Nights/12 Days

DAY 1: DELHI - HARIDWAR

Drive to the City of Ganges-Haridwar. In the evening go to Har ki Pauri to attend the evening aarti at River Ganges.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 2: HARIDWAR - RISHIKESH

After breakfast visit Haridwar viewing

HAR KI PAURI- According to the Hindu mythology, it is at Har ki Pauri in Haridwar that king Bhagirath performed a penance to Lord Shiva in order to rescue souls of his ancestors from vicious circle of rebirth. Pleased with his prayers, Lord Shiva asked holy river Ganga to flow through his locks. Bhagirath took a dip in the holy waters of river Ganga and rescued the souls of his ancestors from their sins. Since then, thousands of devotees take a dip at Har ki Pauri to pray for salvation of their ancestors.

MANSA DEVI TEMPLE- The temple is perched on a hill top and can be reached through a cable car ride. It is believed that Goddess Mansa fulfils the wishes of her devotee, so, lots of pilgrims flock to the temple to have their wishes fulfilled from the Goddess. 

CHANDI DEVI TEMPLE- The temple is dedicated to Goddess Chandika Devi and is considered to be one of the Siddha peethas of Haridwar where the wishes of true devotees get fulfilled.

Later drive to Rishikesh and transfer to the hotel. Later visit 

NEELKANTH MAHADEV TEMPLE- The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva who is revered here in the form of Neelkanth. As per puranic legends, it is at this place where Lord Shiva consumed the poison that originated from Samudra Manthan. The poison turned his throat (kanth) blue (neel) and hence the name Neelkanth.

BHARAT MANDIR- The temple is situated in the heart of the township of Rishikesh. Said to be the oldest temple in Rishikesh, it is also regarded as one of the most ancient shrines in India.

LAXMAN JHULA- Lakshman Jhula, the famous hanging bridge across Ganga, is about 3 km from the main township of Rishikesh. As per mythological tales, once Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama, crossed river Ganga at the same site where the bridge now stands.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 3: RISHIKESH - DELHI

Today day free for rafting or any other activity such as yoga and meditation. Later in the afternoon depart back to Delhi.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 4: DELHI - MATHURA

Today, drive to the ancient city of India- Mathura. Transfer to the hotel. After freshen up visit

KRISHNA JANMA BHOOMI MANDIR- It is known to be the birthplace of the Hindu deity Lord Krishna who was the 8th incarnation of the deity Lord Vishnu.

JAMA MASJID- It is one of the major historical monuments in Uttar Pradesh. The mosque houses the tomb of the Mughal governor and is located close to t he aforementioned Krishna Janma Bhoomi Mandir.

DWARKADHISH TEMPLE- The temple was established around 150 years ago by a devotee of Lord Krishna. The temple is known for its amazing swing festival at the start of the monsoons in this region. The Lord Krishna depicted in the idol here is in his King of Dwarka form and is depicted without the peacock feather and the flute.

RADHA KUND- The pool of the Radha Kund is the most sacred said to be formed by Lord Krishna who struck the earth and the water emerged at this spot.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 5: MATHURA - VRINDAVAN - AGRA

After breakfast, drive to Vrindavan. Along with Mathura, Vrindavan is described as one of the twin holy cities.

GOVARDHAN HILL- The hill is mentioned in the ancient texts of the Hindus and was once lifted by lord Krishna to defeat Indra the god of Rain and thunder in Hindu Mythology. 

GOVIND DEV TEMPLE- It is one of the most important temples in Vrindavan and the main deity here is Govind Dev or Lord Krishna. The Idol was brought to this temple by the Rajput king of Jaipur, Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II.

HARE RAMA HARE KRISHNA TEMPLE- A temple by the ISKCON society, is one of the major temples in Vrindavan.

KESHI GHAT- Located at the banks of the River Yamuna, the Keshi Ghat is one of the most important Ghats in Vrindavan. he Keshi ghat was the place where Lord Krishna took a bath after he slew the demon Keshi and is considered a revered pilgrim spot.

BANKEY BIHARI TEMPLE- The temple was built by the great Indian music guru Swami Haridas. The temple has an old idol of Lord Krishna in his enjoyer or Bankey Bihari posture. 

RANGANATHJI TEMPLE- The temple was built in a distinctive Dravidian style and was completed in 1851 and is dedicated to Lord Ranganath a name for Lord Vishnu. The temple is famous for its amazing temple complex and the fine architectural asthetics

Continue further to Agra, transfer to hotel. Evening free for leisure.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 6: AGRA

After breakfast visit Agra viewing

TAJ MAHAL- It is the most beautiful monument in Agra. The beauty and grandeur of the Taj Mahal has made it one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife- Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal is regarded as one of the most beautiful monuments in the world. A beautiful gift from a Mughal emperor to his deceased wife, the Taj Mahal is a symbol of love and beauty.

AGRA FORT- Built in red sandstone, this huge fortress on the bank of the Yamuna. The fort house has many beautiful palaces and mansions, which include Jahangiri Mahal, Khass Mahal, Diwan-i-Khass and Diwan-i-Aam.

ITMAD-UD-DAULA TOMB- Also known as Baby Taj, this tomb is a daughter's tribute to her father. Built in 1628 by Nurjahan in memory of her father Mirza Ghiyas Beg.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 7: AGRA - ORCHHA

After breakfast drive to old and beautiful town- Orchha. Transfer to hotel and after lunch visit Orchha.

JAHANGIR MAHAL- A 17th century mansion, is remarkable for its vivid and fine Indo-Islamic style of architecture. 

CHHATRIS- The cluster of the Chhatris along the Kanchana Ghat of the Betwa River is one of the imposing and attractive features in Orchha. These Chhatris are the memorials of the rulers of Orchha.

ORCHHA FORT- The Fort Complex is the main attraction of Orchha, it is located on an island on the Betwa River.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 8: ORCHHA - KHAJURAHO

Drive to Khajuraho, a unique thousand-year-old heritage temple complex in Madhya Pradesh. Transfer to the hotel. Evening free for leisure.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 9: KHAJURAHO

After breakfast, visit Khajuraho viewing

EASTERN GROUP OF TEMPLES- The Eastern Group of Temples is divided into two parts, temples dedicated to Jainism and temples dedicated to Hinduism. Some of the main temples of this group include Parsavanath Temple, Adinath Temple, Ghantai Temple, Hanuman Temple, Vamana Temple and Brahma Temple.

SOUTHERN GROUP OF TEMPLES-The Southern Group of temples consists of two very important temples of Dulah Dao Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which was erected between 1100 AD and 1150 AD and the Chaturbhuja Temple.

WESTERN GROUP OF TEMPLES- The Western Group of Temples is mainly dedicated to Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Varaha Temple, Kandariya Mahadeo, Chaunsat Yogini Temple, Chitragupta Temple, Lakshamana Temple, Vishwanath Temple and Matangeswara Temple are the main temples of this group.

ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM- Founded by W.A. Jardine in the year 1910, Khajuraho's Archaeological Museum is located close to the Matangeshwar Temple nearby the western group of temples. This open-air museum consists of amazing artifacts of Indian architecture.

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 10: KHAJURAHO - VARANASI

After breakfast drive to the city of Varanasi situated on the west bank of the holiest of all Indian rivers, the Ganga or Ganges. Transfer to hotel. Evening view Aarti ceremony on the Ghats. 

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 11: VARANASI

After breakfast, visit Varanasi viewing

KASHI VISHWANATH TEMPLE- Kashi Vishwanath, a manifestation of Lord Shiva, is the patron deity of Varanasi. The idol is a jyotirlinga, one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India. The Kashi Vishwanath temple has been built and re-built several times over the past few centuries. The present temple was built in the 18th century by Rani Ahalyabai Holkar of Indore after Mughal emperor Aurangzeb destroyed the previous temple and built a mosque at the site (now adjacent to it). The temple gets its name from Kashi, which is another name for Varanasi.

BANARAS HINDU UNIVERSITY- Banaras Hindu University is one of the largest universities in the world and a prime attraction in Varanasi. It was founded by Pandit Mohan Malviya in 1916 and is internationally reputed. 

ASSI GHAT- Assi Ghat is the southern most ghat . It is located at the confluence of Ganga and Assi rivers. In the evenings, there is an aarti at Assi Ghat which attracts many tourists. Pilgrims bathe in the waters at the ghat before paying homage to Lord Shiva. It is the best place to witness Hindu culture and traditions as well as a beautiful sunrise.

DASHASHWAMEDH GHAT- Dashashwamedh Ghat is one of the oldest and most important ghats in Varanasi. In the early 16th century when the Marathas were ruling over the region, th3ey built several ghat sin Varanasi that lined the holy river Ganga. 

Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 12: VARANASI - SARNATH - VARANASI

Early morning excursion to Sarnath, 10kms. east of Varanasi, is one of the Buddhism's pilgrimage centers of India. Post attaining enlightenment, Buddha came to Sarnath where he gave his first sermon.

Later depart to airport to catch your flight towards onward destination.