Pilgrimage Tour for Varanasi-5N/6D

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Varanasi

Arrive Varanasi. Meet and assist on arrival and transfer to the hotel. Picturesquely situated on the crescent shaped left bank of the holy Ganga, Varanasi, one of the ancient sites of learning in India, is said to be a compound of the names of two streams, the Varuna and the Assi, which still flow in the north and south of the city respectively. Varanasi is probably one of the most ancient living cities in India. From time immemorial it has been a great religious center for Hindus and one of their most sacred places of pilgrimage, being visited by millions of people every year.

CITY/ TEMPLE TOUR OF VARANASI

Visit Kashi Vishvnath Temple - It is also known as the Golden Temple, and is dedicated to Lord Shiva, the presiding deity of the city. This is the holiest spot in the city, Bharat Mata Temple - A unique temple dedicated to Mother India. It houses a relief map of India, carved out of marble, instead of the customary gods and goddesses. Mahatma Gandhi, opened this unique temple, which was gifted, by the nationalists Babu Shiv Prasad Gupta and Shri Durga Prasad. Tulsi Manas Temple - In the modern marble sikhara-style, Tulsi Manas Temple was built in 1964 by a philanthropist family of Varanasi and is devoted to Lord Rama. An exquisite structure of white marble, it has the verses and scenes of Ram Charit Manas engraved on its walls.

Evening witness live Aarti Ceremony onbank of River Ganges

Later in the evening witness Aarti ceremony - The Aarti Ceremony can be defined to be a Hindu ritual in which light or fire, which is lit with the help of wicks, soaked in ghee or clarified butter is offered as a means of worship to the deities. Almost all the Hindu rituals of worship involve the ceremony of Aarti. Perhaps the earliest mention of the Ceremony of Aarti in India can be found in Rig Veda, which is considered to be the earliest scripture of Hinduism. According to the Rig Veda, the use of Aarti can be said to be derived from the Vedic concepts of elaborate sacrificial fires or Homa. The word Aarti can be itself said to be derived from a conjunction of the two words of "Aa", meaning "towards", and "Rati", which in turn means "the highest love for God" in Sanskrit. Thus, the word Aarti in actuality means the "highest love for God.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 2 Varanasi

MORNING BOAT RIDE IN GANGES

Early morning transfer to the Ghats for boat ride on the river Ganges. At dawn-the ghats are abuzz with activity of the devotees performing their ablutions in the river or offering prayers to the rising sun and performing other religious rituals. A boat ride from the Dasaswamedh ghat along the ghats gives you vantage views of these activities. Later Take holy dip in Ganges with walking in Kashi vishwanath lanes.

SARNATH TOUR

After breakfast, proceed for a visit of Sarnath, which bears testimony to its great past where Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon expounding the principals of Buddhism. Visit the art collection at the Archaeological Museum (closed on Fridays).

Later Shopping tour of Varanasi.

Day 3 Varanasi - Allahabad/ Prayagraj

120 Kms/ Approx. 03 Hrs Drive Breakfast at the hotel.

• Later start your drive to Allahabad by 0800 Hrs

• Upon arrival at Allahabad proceed to your hotel for check-in

Allahabad, now officially known as Prayagraj, is a city located in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Reminiscent of all that is spiritual and sacred in Hinduism, Allahabad is famous for Triveni Sangam or the meeting point of three rivers - the Ganga, the Yamuna, and the Saraswati. The place also Very famous as a place where the largest gathering of the world happen name as KUMBH MELA ( One of the biggest festival for Hindu devotee).

Transfer to Hotel. Later proceed for city tour of Prayagraj/ Allahabad visiting.

Anand Bhawan

Anand Bhawan is the former residence of Nehru family which has now been transformed into a museum showcasing various artefacts and articles of the era of Independence movement in India. The double-storey mansion was personally designed by Motilal Nehru.

Later Visit Some of the Temples of Allahabad Like Hanuman Temple &Alopi Devi Temple.

Evening experience Sangam (confluence of Holy rivers Ganges, Yamuna &Saraswati) and is of great importance for Hinduism. People take a dip here at Sangam and believe that they wash off their sins here after taking a Holy Dip.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 4 - Allahabad/ Prayagraj - Chitrakoot - Allahabad/ Prayagraj

(Day Excursion) - 145 Kms/ Aprox. 2.5 Hrs Drive One Way Breakfast at the hotel.

Post breakfast start your day trip excursion to Chitrakoot by 0800 Hrs. Chitrakoot, a small town situated in the north Vindhyan range, is located over the districts of Chitrakoot in Uttar Pradesh and Satna in Madhya Pradesh. It holds great importance according to Hindu mythology and the epic Ramayana. Legends have it that Chitrakoot was the place where Lord Rama, his wife Sita and his brother Lakshmana stayed for eleven and half of their fourteen years of exile making it a reverred site among pilgrims.

According to Ramayana, Chitrakoot was the place where Bharata, brother of Ram came to visit Ram and ask him to come back to Ayodhya and rule the kingdom. It is also believed that the principal gods of Hindus, (Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva) took incarnations here. This divine city is also known as the 'Hill of many wonders' and it totally justifies the name. It is indeed the gift of nature and the gods.

Chitrakoot is also the place where Goswami Tulsidas, author of 'The Ramcharitmanas', spent many years of his life..

Thus, Chitrakoot is rightly called the Place of Many Wonders! Places to Visit In Chitrakoot.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 5 - Allahabad/ Prayagraj - Ayodhya

(By Surface) - 180 Kms/ Approx. 4.5 Hrs Drive
Breakfast at the hotel.
Post breakfast start your drive to Ayodhya birth place of Lord Rama by 0900 Hrs.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 6 - Ayodhya - Lucknow

Breakfast at the hotel.
In time transfer to Lucknow Airport/ Railway Station as per departure plans.
DEPARTURE FROM LUCKNOW.

Inclusion

• •  Transportation by Air Conditioned Car as per Itinerary.
  •  All Toll Parking, driver Allowance.
  •  5 Night Accommodation in Varanasi on Bed & breakfast basis.
  •  One Time Boat Ride in Varanasi(Subject to water Level).
  •  English Speaking Assistance for Arrival & Departure.
  •  All applicable Taxes.

Exclusion

• •  Any Airfare
  •  Expences of Personal Nature
  •  Tipping
  •  Any Expences not mention in Inclusions
  •  Entrance to Monuments
  •  Any Guide Services