Duration : 20 Nights / 21 Days
Destination : Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Devprayag - Rudraprayag
- Joshimath - Badrinath - Agra - Puri - Jagannath Puri - Konark -
Bhubaneshwar - Madurai - Rameshwaram - Chennai - Ahmedabad -Dwarka –
Mumbai
The chanting of devotional mantras and holy prayers, the fragrance of
incense and hawan yajna amidst the pure, tranquil, peaceful and serene
setting form a perfect backdrop of Hindu Pilgrimage Tour. An ultimate
sojourn of life, the Hindu Pilgrimage Tour by Train realizes the purpose of
the spiritual journey connecting the soul with the ultimate universal power
and pay pure respects. A novel itinerary by India Rail, the journey
encompasses majorly respected, worshipped and holiest of Hindu shrines from
all over the country.
Day 01 : Delhi
Arrive Delhi. Our representative will be at the airport to welcome you.
Transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 02 : Delhi
Today, leave for sight-seeing tour, which includes Jama Masjid - the
largest mosque of Emperor Shahjahan. Later proceed to Red Fort, Raj Ghat-
cremation site of Mahatma Gandhi, to India Gate - a 42 meter stone arch
built in the memory of the Indian Soldiers who died in World War II, Drive
past the President's House & Parliament House, Humayun's Tomb (a
memorial of the Mughals, its design is inspired by the Taj Mahal), the Qutab
Minar, Birla Mandir & Lotus Temple.
Day 03 : Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh
Afternoon connect Train # 2017 Dehradun Shatabdi Express dep. 06:55 hrs.
arrive Haridwar at 11:22 hrs. Drive to Rishikesh (22 kms). Afternoon visit ,
Tapovan on the other bank of the Ganges houses a temple to Lakshmana. It is
believed that Lakshmana carried out penances here. It is also believed that
his brother Bharata meditated here, and there is a temple to Bharata here.
Also seen here are the Swargashram and the Geeta Bhavan temples. The
Lakshmana Jhula, a 450 feet long suspension bridge was built in 1939. A
newer bridge the Ram Jhula has been added recently.
Day 04 : Rishikesh - Devprayag - Rudraprayag -
Joshimath
Leave Rishikesh early morning for Joshimath / Rudraprayag via Devprayag
(243 kms / 9 -10 Hrs drive). See those places famous for confluence of two
great river and proceed to Joshimath via Chamoli and Pipalkoti. Arrive at
Joshimath late afternoon. Visit Adi Guru Shankaracharya seat Narshimha
temple or a visit to Auli (famous winter hill resort for skiing) by lift
chair car on extra cost. Night stay at Joshimath / Rudraprayag.
Day 05 : Joshimath - Badrinath
Leave Joshimath / Rudraprayag early in the morning for Badrinath (31 kms).
Reach Badrinath at 11 am.
Badrinath - Badrinath is one of the four dhams of the country and situated
at an elevation of 3133 mts. above sea level, guarded on either side by the
two mountain ranges known as NAR & NARAYAN, with the towering NEEL KANTH
PEAK providing a splendid back-drop. This revered spot was once carpeted
with wild berries, which gage it the name "Badri (V an)" meaning
forest of berries. Facing the temple at the back of Alaknanda river there is
a hot water spring known as TAPT KUND.
» Badrinath Temple - Dedicated to lord Vishnu, the temple of Shri
Badrinathji is 15 mts. in height built in the form of a cone with a small
cupola of a bull and spire. Legend dates the temple prior to the Vedic age.
Day 06 : Badrinath - Rudraprayag
Drive to Rudhraprayag (160 kms / 6 Hrs drive). Overnight in Hotel.
Day 07 : Rudraprayag - Haridwar
Drive to Haridwar (170 Kms / 5 Hrs drive). Places to visit are Har Ki
Pauri, Chandi Devi, Mansa Devi, Kavand Mela, Daksha Mahadev Temple, Sapt
Rishi, Maya Devi etc. Evening view Ganga Aarti. Overnight in Hotel
Day 08 : Haridwar - Agra
Morning transfer to Railway Station to connect Train # 8478 Kalinga Express
dep. 06:00 hrs / arrive Agra at 16:05 hrs. Afternoon free for leisure.
Transfer to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 09 : Agra - Puri
Morning leave for City sightseeing which includes, Taj Mahal, an
extravagant marble monument of love built by Shahjahan in 1653 as a memorial
for his Queen Mumtaz Mahal. Then visit the Agra Fort - a red sandstone fort
built by Akber in 1565. Evening transfer to Railway Station to connect Train
# 8478 Kalinga Express for Puri dep. 16:15 hrs. Overnight on board. (Taj
Mahal is closed on Fridays)
Day 10 : Puri
Full day and night on board.
Day
11 : Visit Jagannath Puri
Arrive Puri at 07:00 hrs. Morning visit Jagannath Temple. The renowned
Jagannath temple built in the 15th century AD and crowned with Vishnu's
wheel and flag dominate the landscape at Puri. The temple with its elaborate
carvings and mouldings are very fine examples of Orissa architecture.
Overnight in Puri.
Day 12 : Puri - Konark - Bhubaneshwar - Madurai
Morning visit the Jagannath Temple again. Later drive to Kornark (56 kms /
1 ½ hrs) to see the famous Sun Temple. Evening transfer to Bhubaneshwar
Railway Station to connect Train # 6355 Kanyakumari Express dep. 22:43 hrs.
for Madurai. Overnight on board.
Day 13 :Madurai
Full day and night on board.
Day 14 : Madurai - Rameshwaram
Arrive Madurai at 06:20 hrs. Drive to Rameshwaram which is 167 kms &
approx. 4 hrs. Drive. Afternoon sightseeing in Rameshwaram. The island of
Rameshwaram spreads out over a 56 km swell with gentle sand dunes,
embellished with the delicacy of casuarina trees and stark palms. This is a
sacred place for Hindus since according to Ramayana; this is where Rama
worshipped Lord Shiva to absolve himself of the sin of killing Ravana. A dip
into the sacred waters of the Agnitheertham which was calmed by Rama is a
must for Hindus. Overnight in Hotel.
Day 15 : Rameshwaram - Madurai - Chennai
Morning visit the temple again. Afternoon drive back to Madurai and connect
Train # 6704 Pearl City Express dep. 22:35 hrs. for Chennai. Overnight on
board.
Day 16 : Chennai
Arrive Chennai at 07:00 hrs. Leave for full Day tour of Mahabalipuram &
Kanchipuram. Kanchipuram (64 kms from Chennai) is the ancient capital of the
Pallavas famous as a city of 1000 Temples and still has 124 shrines. The
first temple dedicated to Shiva was built in the 7th and 8th century and has
paintings on the walls. Temples of Ekambaswara, Kailasanatha, Sri Kamakshi
and Varadarajaswamy are of interest. Kanchipuram is also famous for its
silks. The city of Mahabalipuram is famous for the seven pagodas. Here on
the seashore is an interesting group of ancient rock hewn temples which are
the examples of Dravidian style of Architecture
Day
17 : Chennai - Ahmedabad
Morning city tour of Chennai visiting the Museum to see the Art and Bronze
Gallery. Drive through the Flower and Fruit market, High court, Fort museum,
Marina Beach, Kapaleeswar Temple, Cathedral, and snake park. Afternoon
connect flight 9W 325 dep. 14:30 hrs/ arr. 17:55 hrs for Ahmedabad. Transfer
to hotel for overnight stay.
Day 18 : Ahmedabad - Dwarka
Morning connect Train # 9005 Saurashtra Mail dep. 05:40 hrs. Arr. Dwarka at
15:28 hrs. Later visit the ancient sacred city, on the edge of the
Saurashtra peninsula was once the capital of Lord Krishna's empire where he
had shifted from Mathura thousands of years ago. The main attraction is the
Dwarkadhish Temple. Overnight in Hotel.
