Temples, Forts & Beaches
Duration: 18 Days
Destination: Kolkatta, Bhubaneshwar, Konark, Puri, Hyderabad,
Bidar, Gulbarga, Bijapur, Badami, Hampi, Goa, Mumbai
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for Details
Day 01: Arrival at Kolkatta
/ Delhi
On arrival in Kolkatta, meet and assist at the airport & transfer
to prebooked hotel.
Day 02: Kolkatta / Delhi -
Bhubaneshwar (Flight)
After breakfast, city tour of Kolkatta. In the afternoon, city
tour of Calcutta, the "City of Joy". Visit the High
Court Building, built in 1872 and the oldest Catholic Church in
Calcutta, St. Mary's. The Howrah Bridge, built in 1943 - the bridge
is crossed by approximately two million people everyday; the Botanical
Gardens, the oldest and largest of their kinds in India; Victoria
Memorial: The majestic Victoria memorial, symbol of Calcutta was
built between 1906 and 1921 at a cost of Rs. 7.5 million and is
a reminder of the might of British India. It has been compared
to Taj Mahal, with its four rudimentary minarets, gleaming white
dome and exterior of solid Marcrana marble. Lord Curzon as both
tribute to Queen Victoria and a triumphant depiction of her reign
in India conceived it. Afternoon, transfer to the airport to board
flight for Bhubaneshwar. On arrival transfer to prebooked hotel.
Day 03: Bhubaneshwar
After breakfast, full day city tour Bhubaneshwar, known, as Kalinga
in ancient times is the capital of Orissa. At one time, some 7000
sandstone temples are supposed to have stood on the site of sacred
Bundusagar Lake alone. Today almost 500 remain. Most of them were
built between 7th and 15th centuries and most of them were destroyed
during the Mughal conquest of 16th century. Visit the Brahmeshwar
temple, built in 11th century; Rajarani temple; Mukteshwar temple:
one of the most refined temples in Orissa. Small and compact it
is famous for both its ornate entrance and rich interior carvings;
Parumeshwar temple: built in 12th century and the Lingaraj Temple:
built in 11th century, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva
as Lord Lingaraj (Lord of Universe), is one of the most notable
temples.
Day 04: Bhubaneshwar - Konark
- Puri
After breakfast, visit leave for Puri. Enroute visit the Sun Temple
at Konark. Built by King Narasimhadev in mid 13th century to celebrate
his victory over the Muslims. It is a masterpiece of design and
construction; built in the shape of huge chariot, pulled along
by seven racing horses on 24 intricately carved stone wheels.
Continue drive to Puri. Arrive Puri and check in at prebooked
hotel.
Day 05: Puri
After breakfast, visit Puri - one of the four Dhams (holiest Hindu
pilgrimage places in India). Visit the Jaganath Temple, which
was built during the 12th century by the Kalinga ruler Chodaganga
Deva, is the tallest and most magnificent monuments in Orissa.
It's pinnacle rises to a formidable height of 65 m (212 ft). It
is divided into four parts: the main central hall, the hall of
audience, the dancing hall and the hall of offerings, and has
four gates. Each of these has an animal theme: horse (south gate),
elephant (north gate), tiger (west gate) and the lion (east gate).
It is by the Lions gate that the pilgrims make their entrance
and in front of this main gate stands a 16-sided monolithic pillar
called Aruna Stambha. Afternoon, relax at Puri, a beautiful beach
resort along with the Bay of Bengal.
Day 06: Puri - Bhubaneshwar
- Hyderabad
After lunch, leave for Bhubaneshwar to board flight Hyderabad
at 1925 hrs. Arrive Hyderabad at 2100 hrs & transfer to prebooked
hotel. Hyderabad, is the capital of the state of Andhra Pradesh,
Hyderabad is an important center of Islamic culture and central
India's counterpart to Mughal splendors of the northern cities
of Delhi, Agra and Fatehpur Sikri. Most of the impressive monuments
date from the 16th and 17th centuries and the city retains much
of its 19th century atmosphere. The city was founded in 1590 by
Muhammad Quli, the founder of Qutab Shahi kings who ruled this
part of the Deccan from 1512 to 1687, when Aurangzeb defeated
the last king.
Day 07: Hyderabad
After breakfast, visit the Charminar, built by Mohammad Quli Qutab
Shah in 1591 to commemorate the end of plague in Hyderabad; Mecca
Masjid, is one of the largest mosques in the world and is said
to accommodate up to 10,000 worshippers; Salar Jung Museum, which
contains 35,000 exhibits from all corners of the world and includes
sculptures, woodcarvings, religious objects, Persian miniature
painting, illuminated manuscripts, armour and weaponry. Also on
display are the swords, daggers of Mughal emperors and of Tipu
Sultan; Golconda Fort, which dates from the time of Qutab Shahi
kings (16th to 17th centuries) and is one of the most magnificent
fortress complexes in India. Golconda remained the capital until
1590, when the court was moved to the new city of Hyderabad; tomb
of Adil Shahi Kings, which are surrounded by landscaped gardens
and number of them has beautifully carved stonework. of Nawabs.
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Day 08:
Hydrabad - Bidar -Gulbarga
After breakfast, leave for Gulbarga enroute visiting Bidar which
was once the capital of Bahmani kingdom from 1428. The town has
a splendid 15th century fort having Ranjeen Mahal, Chini Mahal
& Turkish Mahal palaces. Continue drive to Gulbarga. Arrive
Gulbarga and check in at prebooked hotel. Later, visit Gulbarga,
which was the capital of Bahmani Kingdom from 1347 until its transfer
in 1428. Gulbarga's old fort has number of interesting buildings.
The town also has a number of imposing tombs of Bahmani kings,
a shrine to a Muslim saints and the Sharana Basaveshwara temple.
Day 09: Gulbarga - Bijapur
After breakfast, leave for Bijapur. On arrival in Bijapur check
in at your prebooked hotel. In the afternoon, visit Bijapur, known
as the Agra of the South. Visit the Gol Gumbaz, it is the mausoleum
of Mohammed Adil Shah and was built in 1659; Ibrahim Roza, which
was constructed at the height of Bijapur prosperity by Ibrahim
Adih Shah; Jama Masjid, also constructed by Adil Shah and the
Citadel.
Day 10: Bijapur - Badami
After breakfast, leave for Badami - the town best know for cave
temples. On arrival in Badami, check in at your prebooked hotel.
Afternoon, visit Badami which was once the capital city of the
Chalukyan empire which ruled much of the Central Deccan between
the 4th and 8th centuries A.D. Badami is best known for its cave
temples, cut into the cliff face of the red sandstone hill and
connected by flights of steps. They display the full range of
religious sects, which have grown up on Indian soil. Two of them
are dedicated to Vishnu; one to Siva and the fourth is a Jain
temple. There's also one natural cave, which is a Buddhist temple
Day 11: Badami -Hospet
After breakfast, leave for Hospet. Enroute stop at Pattadakal,
the second capital of Badami Chalukyans, Pattadakal reached the
height of its glory during the 7th and 8th centuries. The most
important monument here is the Lokeshwara or Virupaksha temple
that narrates episodes from the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and
Mahabharata. After the visit, continue drive to Hospet. We again
stop to visit Aihole, which was the Chalukyan regional capital
between the 4th & 6th centuries. There are over 70 structures
in and around and the more important structures include the Ladkhan
temple, Kulinguidi & Durgigude Temples. Continue drive towards
Hospet. After the visit continue drive to Badami.
Day 12: Hospet
After breakfast, excursion to Hampi. Hampi the once beautiful
capital city of Vijaynagar Empire was greater than Rome and had
palaces; temple and sculptures spread all over. The Sultanates
of South razed the city to the ground in the year 1565 AD. Some
of the interesting ruins remaining are the Virupaksha, Vittala
and Hazara Rama Temples, huge Ganesha & Narasimha images,
the elephant stables, the queen's bath, and carvings on the Ramachandra
Temple & Lotus Mahal.
Day 13: Hospet - Goa
After breakfast, leave for Goa - the land of white churches, golden
sands & green fields. Goa is a fascinating beach resort on
the Arabian Sea & is very popular with Europeans since 1510,
when Alhuquerque overwhelmed Goa & it became the capital of
Portuguese empire in the east.
Day 14: Goa
Full day city tour of North & South Goa.
Day 15: Goa
At leisure by the beach or action in various water sports.
Day 16: Goa - Mumbai (Train)
After breakfast, free. In the afternoon, transfer to the railway
station to board train for Mumbai. Arrive Mumbai and transfer
to prebooked hotel.
Day 17: Mumbai
After breakfast, city tour of Mumbai - the capital city of the
state Maharashtra and is the economic powerhouse of India. Visit
the Gateway of India, which was conceived following the visit
of King George V in 1911 and officially opened in 1924; Price
of Wales Museum, designed in Indo Saracenic style and has sections
for arts and paintings, archeology, natural history and an interesting
collection of miniature paintings, bas relief's from the Elephanta
caves and Buddha images; Marine Drive, which runs along the shoreline,
starting at Nariman Point and up to Malabar Hill; Hanging Gardens,
laid out in 1881 these formally laid out gardens have a notable
collection of hedges shaped like animals free. In the afternoon,
transfer to the railway station to board train for Mumbai.
Day 18: Departure Mumbai
Transfer to airport to board flight back home / onward destination.